These 10 Celebrity-Backed Startups Are Quietly Reshaping Europe

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-09

Celebrity money in startups isn't new. But the kinds of companies pulling in famous backers? That's where things get interesting. These days, it's not just fashion brands or lifestyle apps. We're talking AI, digital health, clean energy, biotech — the stuff that actually moves economies. And European startups are right in the middle of it. Some stars write checks directly. Others go through venture arms or special-purpose vehicles. Either way, they bring more than cash. They bring attention, connections, and a certain gravitational pull that helps startups hire faster and open doors that would otherwise stay shut. We rounded up ten notable celebrity-backed deals across Europe. The numbers come from public reports — funding rounds, financing agreements, and disclosed investments. Where individual stakes weren't revealed, we say so. No guesswork. ### Kylian Mbappé and Alan: $108 Million Round French football star Kylian Mbappé — World Cup winner, Real Madrid forward — became an investor and ambassador for Paris-based health-tech company Alan in March 2026. He did it through his investment vehicle, Coalition Capital. Alan, founded in 2016, offers digital health insurance and healthcare services. That same month, the company closed a $108 million round, pushing its valuation to roughly $5.4 billion. Then in June 2026, it raised another $520 million. Mbappé's personal check wasn't disclosed, but he's working with Alan on preventive care, mental health, nutrition, and physical activity initiatives. That's more than a logo on a slide deck. ### Leonardo DiCaprio and SolarMente: $54 Million Financing Leonardo DiCaprio — actor, environmentalist, Titanic and Inception star — invested in Barcelona-based climate-tech startup SolarMente in 2024. The company helped households access solar energy through a subscription model, cutting the need for big upfront installation costs. Here's the tough part: SolarMente went bankrupt in April 2026. Not every bet pays off, even when the mission is solid. But DiCaprio hasn't slowed down. Just this week, he put an undisclosed amount into Elvy, a Stockholm-based energy-as-a-service company. So yeah, he's still all in on the sector. ### Emma Watson and FabricNano: $11.3 Million Series A Emma Watson — you know her as Hermione Granger — joined investors in London-based biotech startup FabricNano back in 2021. The company, founded in 2018, develops cell-free biomanufacturing technology. The goal? Make industrial production more efficient and less dependent on fossil fuel-derived materials. Its tech uses immobilised enzymes to produce chemicals and other materials. Watson's involvement brought a spotlight to a pretty technical space. That's often exactly what deep-tech startups need — someone who can translate the science into a story people care about. ### Pau Gasol and Luzia: $10.3 Million Round Spanish basketball legend Pau Gasol — two-time NBA champ with the Lakers — backed Madrid-based AI startup Luzia through his vehicle, Gasol16 Ventures. Luzia builds a generative AI assistant you can use right inside WhatsApp and Telegram. No separate app. No friction. Just chat with an AI where you already are. Gasol's move fits a pattern: athletes investing in tools that scale fast and reach everyday users. ### Elton John and Audoo: $5.1 Million Round Sir Elton John — five decades of hits, Rocket Man, Your Song — invested in London music-tech startup Audoo in 2023. Audoo, founded in 2018, uses audio recognition to identify music played in public places like shops, restaurants, and gyms. The point is to give rights organisations better data so artists get paid fairly. It's a classic case of a celebrity backing infrastructure that helps other creators. Not glamorous, but important. ### The Bigger Picture These deals show something simple: celebrity capital is maturing. It's not just endorsements anymore. It's strategic. It's sector-focused. And it's increasingly European. For founders, that means more than money. It means credibility, network, and a louder voice in a crowded market. For investors, it means star power can open doors that traditional VC can't. Will every bet work? No. SolarMente is proof of that. But the overall trend is clear — celebrities are becoming real players in Europe's startup ecosystem, and they're not just showing up for the photo op.