At automatica 2025, Europe’s premier automation event, the Startup Arena became the central hub for connecting innovators, investors, and industry leaders. Hosted by FundingBox, this year’s event was a remarkable demonstration of Europe’s commitment to advancing its technological sovereignty. With 31 startups from 16 countries, 40 experts from leading European R&D institutions, and a 4-day fair packed with opportunities, the Startup Arena proved that collaboration and strategic partnerships are the driving forces behind Europe’s autonomous future.

Connections That Drive Innovation

The Startup Arena at automatica 2025 was designed with one primary goal: to help startups connect with the right investors, clients, and partners. Among the 31 startups were 7 returning innovators, each contributing to the growing momentum of the European tech scene. With 50% of exhibitors finding some valuable leads and the other 50% finding many valuable leads, the event proved its worth as a launchpad for high-impact connections.

As Ola Sawicka Green, Startup Arena Project Manager at FundingBox, explains:
“This is my third year at Startup Arena, and it’s incredible to see how this space has evolved. We started back in 2022 with 23 startups, in 2023 we grew to 25, and this year we crossed the mark of 30. Our mission remains the same—to connect startups with the right investors, clients, and knowledge. We are building a stronger Europe by empowering innovators to scale their solutions.”

The Startup Arena didn’t just connect startups to potential clients but also served as a vibrant ecosystem where innovators could learn from industry experts and fellow entrepreneurs. Each day featured panels and discussions around key themes like automation, robotics, photonics, and advanced manufacturing, ensuring that every participant walked away with new insights and valuable opportunities.

Building Knowledge for a Stronger Europe

Europe’s tech autonomy is rooted in the free exchange of knowledge. Events like the PhotonHub Europe finale and Europe’s Best Robotics Startup Competition hosted as a part of Startup Arena, were platforms for discussing the future of European tech and the role that innovation plays in shaping that future. “Automatica 2025 is a perfect example of how important it is to connect investors with innovative startups to drive Europe’s robotics and automation sectors forward. The Best Robotics Startup Competition was an excellent opportunity for these startups to showcase their solutions to the right stakeholders, helping them grow and scale within Europe’s innovation ecosystem,” said Martyna Waliszewska, Investment Manager at Odense. With experts from institutions like Fraunhofer IPT, Technical University of Munich (TUM), and CERN present, these sessions provided startups with the guidance needed to scale their technologies and contribute to the European innovation ecosystem.

As Mayte Carracedo, Chief Ecosystem and Impact Officer at FundingBox, puts it:
“At FundingBox, we are proud to not only fund but also help build a community where knowledge is shared and where collaboration drives innovation. The Startup Arena has become a space where Europe’s brightest innovators can exchange ideas, solve problems, and accelerate their solutions to market.”

Funding the Future: Empowering Europe’s Startups

The Startup Arena also showcased Europe’s growing investment potential. Many startups at the event are actively seeking investment ranging from €250K to €10M to fuel their growth. With startups at various stages of development, including companies planning to launch beta tests within the next 6-12 months, others with users, pilots, and sales already generating revenue between €50K to €500K, and even those turning a profit, the need for investment is clear. FundingBox facilitated introductions to investors eager to support EU-grown solutions, helping startups secure the resources needed to bring their innovations to market.

Paul Popescu, CEO of Agora Robotics, shares:
“Automatica 2025 continues to be a key part of our growth strategy. The connections we’ve made here have not only helped us secure investment but also given us the chance to showcase our innovations to the right clients. These kinds of events are vital for scaling European robotics and AI.”

Results That Speak for Themselves

The impact of Automatica 2025 is reflected in the results. With 9 out of 10 exhibitors stating they would recommend joining the Startup Arena for European startups, it’s clear that this event delivers more than just visibility—it creates lasting value. The Startup Arena is a platform where innovation meets opportunity, and where Europe’s tech autonomy takes shape.

Europe’s Path to Autonomy

The Startup Arena at Automatica 2025 has once again proven that connections, knowledge, and funding are key to Europe’s technological future. By providing startups with the resources they need to succeed, FundingBox is helping to build a more autonomous, innovative Europe. And you can be a part of this movement too! FundingBox holds an ambition to provide such opportunity to startups in all corners of Europe. We are looking for potential hosts or event organisers who would like to collaborate with us and organise next Startup Arena . Corporations and organisations interested in working with us can reach out to me directly at ola.sawicka.green@fundingbox.com. 

For those eager to be part of this growing ecosystem, sign up for our newsletter to stay ahead of the next Startup Arena opportunity.