Celebrities Are Quietly Betting Big on These European Startups

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-09

Celebrity money in startups isn't new. What's new is where it's going. Famous names aren't just signing endorsement deals anymore. They're writing checks into artificial intelligence, digital healthcare, clean energy, and biotech. Some invest directly. Others go through venture funds or their own investment vehicles. Either way, they bring more than cash. They bring visibility, connections, and a certain gravitational pull that helps startups get noticed. Here are some of the most talked-about celebrity-backed deals in Europe right now. ### Kylian Mbappé and Alan: A $108 Million Round French football star Kylian Mbappé became an investor and ambassador for Paris-based health-tech company Alan in March 2026. He invested through his vehicle, Coalition Capital. Alan provides digital health insurance and healthcare services. The company raised roughly $108 million that same month, pushing its valuation to about $5.4 billion. It followed up with another $520 million in June 2026. Mbappé's individual stake wasn't disclosed. But he's working with Alan on preventive care, mental health, nutrition, and fitness initiatives. ### Leonardo DiCaprio and SolarMente: A $54 Million Bet That Didn't Pan Out Leonardo DiCaprio backed Barcelona-based ClimateTech startup SolarMente in 2024. The company helped households go solar through a subscription model that avoided big upfront costs. It raised about $54 million. Then it went bankrupt in April 2026. A tough break for everyone involved. But DiCaprio hasn't slowed down. He recently put an undisclosed amount into Elvy, a Stockholm-based energy-as-a-service company. ### Emma Watson and FabricNano: $11.3 Million Series A Emma Watson joined investors in London-based biotech startup FabricNano back in 2021. The company develops cell-free biomanufacturing tech. The goal? Make industrial production cleaner and less dependent on fossil fuels. It uses immobilized enzymes to produce chemicals and materials. The Series A round came in around $11.3 million. ### Pau Gasol and Luzia: $10.2 Million Round NBA legend Pau Gasol backed Madrid-based AI startup Luzia through his vehicle, Gasol16 Ventures. Luzia built a generative AI assistant that works inside WhatsApp and Telegram. No separate app needed. The funding round was roughly $10.2 million. ### Elton John and Audoo: $5.1 Million Round Sir Elton John invested in London music-tech startup Audoo in 2023. Audoo uses audio recognition to track music played in shops, restaurants, and gyms. The idea is to help rights organizations pay artists more accurately. The round was about $5.1 million. > "Celebrity capital is nice. But it's the strategic doors it opens that really move the needle for founders." ### Why This Matters for Founders If you're building a startup in Europe, this trend tells you something useful. Celebrity investors aren't just chasing hype. They're looking for real businesses in sectors they care about. - **AI and health tech** are pulling in big names - **Climate tech** still attracts star power, even when bets fail - **Music and creator tools** are getting attention too A famous backer can accelerate your credibility. But it won't save a weak business model. SolarMente proved that. ### The Bottom Line Celebrity investment in European startups is broadening. It's no longer just about fashion brands and consumer apps. It's AI, energy, biotech, and healthcare. For founders, that means more potential allies. For investors, it means more competition. Either way, the lines between fame and venture capital keep blurring.