Image via Newcomer (Eric Newcomer)
Last updated
Sequoia Capital: Ma Activity
Sequoia Capital co-led a €500 million funding round in Stark Defense, a startup making kamikaze drones and other weapons, positioning itself in defense tech as European leaders pivot away from US dependence.
Source: Newcomer (Eric Newcomer)
The leadership read
Consolidation of this kind shifts demand toward integration and transformation leadership bench strength in the sector.
Market context: The wider read — a Talent Market Index of 112.6 (Hot), up 11.4 month-on-month — shows EMEA signal flow easing (-3.2pts).
Sequoia Capital: 2 signals in the last 90 days; 0.1% of MitchelLake's Americas signal flow; 2 tracked across 78 days.
Also at Sequoia Capital →
More signals across EMEA
Ma Activity · EMEA
Persistent Systems →Persistent Systems (Indian IT firm) is acquiring German digital engineering company Nagarro SE in a takeover bid valued at approximately 140% above Nagarro's undisturbed share price. Combined entity will generate $2.9 billion in annualised revenue with 46,000+ employees.
Ma Activity · EMEA
Zalando →Germany's financial regulator BaFin launched a formal accounting probe into Zalando's 2025 financial statements related to its €1.2 billion acquisition of ABOUT YOU in 2025. The investigation centers on alleged failure to properly disclose related-party transaction details. Stock fell 7% on the announcement.
Ma Activity · EMEA
Publicis Groupe →Publicis Groupe is acquiring LiveRamp, a independent audience and identity data vendor. This acquisition will displace LiveRamp's existing brand clients who will need to source alternative identity resolution and audience data platforms.
Ma Activity · EMEA
Safran →Safran and Airbus are jointly acquiring Aubert & Duval, a designer and producer of complex metallic materials, from Tikehau.
Ma Activity · EMEA
Prosus →Prosus led a €480 million funding round for French health insurtech Alan, valuing it at €5.5 billion. Alan is profitable in France, has €800 million ARR, 53% YoY growth, and serves 1.1 million people with 850 employees.
Ma Activity · EMEA
Permira →Permira acquired BioCatch, signaling major consolidation in behavioral biometrics for fraud defense.
Intelligence powered by Autonodal ↗