Celebrities Are Betting Big on Europe's Hottest Startups—Here's Where the Money Went

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-09

Celebrity investment in startups is nothing new. But the range of businesses attracting famous backers is expanding in ways that might surprise you. Beyond traditional endorsements and brand partnerships, celebrities are now putting real capital into companies working on artificial intelligence, digital healthcare, clean energy, biotechnology, and other emerging sectors. Some are investing directly. Others participate through venture capital firms or dedicated investment vehicles. Their involvement can bring not only funding but also international visibility, industry connections, and strategic expertise. Think of it as rocket fuel that goes beyond just cash. With that in mind, we've put together a look at some of the most notable celebrity-backed startup deals across Europe. The figures below reflect publicly reported investment amounts, funding rounds, or financing arrangements, depending on what's been disclosed. Individual contributions are identified wherever possible. ### Kylian Mbappé – Alan (France): $105 million funding round French football superstar Kylian Mbappé, a World Cup winner and Real Madrid forward, became an investor and ambassador for Paris-based health-tech company Alan in March 2026 through his investment vehicle, Coalition Capital. Founded in 2016, Alan provides digital health insurance and healthcare services. Earlier that month, the company secured a $105 million funding round, bringing its valuation to approximately $5.25 billion. It subsequently raised another $504 million in June 2026. Although Mbappé's individual investment wasn't disclosed, he's collaborating with Alan on initiatives related to preventive healthcare, mental health, nutrition, and physical activity. ### Leonardo DiCaprio – SolarMente (Spain): $52.5 million financing agreement American actor and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio, known for films including *Titanic*, *Inception*, and *The Revenant*, became an investor in Barcelona-based ClimateTech startup SolarMente in 2024. Unfortunately for both the founders and DiCaprio's investment, the company went bankrupt in April 2026. SolarMente helped households access solar energy through a subscription model that reduces the need for large upfront installation costs. That hasn't stopped Leo, though. He's continued his investment trends since then, having this week invested an undisclosed amount in Stockholm-based Energy-as-a-Service company Elvy. ### Emma Watson – FabricNano (United Kingdom): $11 million Series A British actress and activist Emma Watson, internationally recognized for playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, joined the investors in London-based BioTech startup FabricNano in 2021. Founded in 2018, FabricNano develops cell-free biomanufacturing technology designed to make industrial production processes more efficient and reduce dependence on fossil fuel-derived materials. Its technology uses immobilized enzymes to support the production of chemicals and other materials. ### Pau Gasol – Luzia (Spain): $10 million funding round Spanish basketball legend Pau Gasol, a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and one of Europe's most successful basketball players, backed Madrid-based artificial intelligence startup Luzia through his investment vehicle, Gasol16 Ventures. Luzia develops a generative AI assistant accessible through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, allowing users to interact with artificial intelligence without downloading a separate application. ### Elton John – Audoo (United Kingdom): $5 million funding round British singer-songwriter Sir Elton John, whose career spans more than five decades and includes hits such as *Rocket Man* and *Your Song*, became an investor in London-based music technology startup Audoo in 2023. Founded in 2018, Audoo develops audio recognition technology that identifies music played in public places such as shops, restaurants, and gyms. Its goal is to provide more accurate data to music rights organizations and help artists receive fair compensation. > "Celebrity capital isn't just about the money—it's about opening doors, building credibility, and sometimes, just getting people to pay attention." ### What this means for European startups These deals show that celebrity investment in Europe is diversifying. It's not just about fashion or consumer apps anymore. Stars are putting money into deep tech, health, and climate solutions. For founders, that can mean more than a check—it can mean a spotlight. But it's also a reminder that startup investing is risky. Even with a famous backer, companies can fail. The key is to build something that solves a real problem, with or without the star power.