EU Inc Proposal: What It Means for European Startup Incorporation

Jan de Vries · 2026-09-09

Europe is warming faster than any other continent on Earth. Temperatures have already climbed about 4.5°F above pre-industrial levels, and over the past three decades they've risen at roughly twice the global average rate. That's not just a scary statistic—it's a reality that's reshaping how entrepreneurs think about building resilient companies. But here's the thing: technology alone won't solve the climate crisis. Innovation will play a huge role, sure. From cleaner industry and energy systems to water resilience, new materials, and smarter cities, European startups are creating tools that could make economies more sustainable and better prepared for what's coming. And where there's innovation, there's capital. In 2026 alone, we've seen around $1 billion in funding for startups working on industrial decarbonization, energy storage, circular materials, recycling, and alternative fuels. That's a lot of money betting on a greener future. ### The EU Inc Proposal: A Game-Changer for Startup Incorporation But all this activity raises a bigger question: how easy is it for these startups to actually incorporate and scale across Europe? That's where the EU Inc proposal comes in. The idea is to create a single, unified corporate structure that works across all EU member states—think of it as a Delaware for Europe. Instead of navigating 27 different legal systems, founders could incorporate once and operate everywhere. For startups, that could mean faster setup, less bureaucracy, and easier access to funding. For investors, it could mean a more streamlined way to back companies across borders. It's still early days, but the proposal is gaining traction, and it's something every entrepreneur in Europe should be watching. ### 10 European VCs Raising Money for a Healthier Planet Now, let's talk about the investors putting real money behind climate solutions. Here are 10 European VCs that announced fresh capital in 2026, organized from smallest to largest raise. **PureTerra Ventures** – $11 million Amsterdam-based PureTerra launched its second WaterTech fund with an $11 million cornerstone investment from Invest-NL. The firm specializes in industrial water challenges—treatment, reuse, monitoring, and resource recovery. It's part of a larger effort to raise $160 million for Fund II. **VitaminºC** – $19 million Founded in 2026 by Nathalie Moral and Sophie Lamparter, this female-led VC is targeting startups in climate mitigation and human adaptation. With offices in Zurich and San Francisco, it helps DeepTech founders expand internationally. The fund is aiming for a final size of around $47 million. **Climentum Capital** – $65 million Copenhagen-based Climentum reached a $65 million first close for its second fund, matching its entire predecessor fund in one milestone. It focuses on climate HardTech and hard-to-decarbonize sectors. Fund II is targeting $108 million. **Norrsken Evolve** – $67 million Norrsken Evolve closed its fund at $67 million, well above its $43 million target. Part of the Stockholm-founded Norrsken ecosystem, it backs pre-seed founders working on climate, health, and resilience. In 2026, it also opened Norrsken House Amsterdam. **Ananda Impact Ventures** – $79 million Munich-based Ananda secured a $79 million first close for its fifth Core Impact Fund. Founded in 2009, it's one of Europe's most established impact investors, backing companies in climate, biodiversity, healthcare, and social inclusion. **Norrsken VC** – $82 million Stockholm-based Norrsken VC reached a final close of $82 million for its second fund. The firm invests in startups that combine profit with purpose, focusing on health, climate, and resilience. **2150** – $97 million Copenhagen-based 2150 raised $97 million for its second fund. The VC invests in urban technology and sustainable infrastructure, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions in cities. **World Fund** – $162 million Berlin-based World Fund closed its first fund at $162 million. It backs climate tech startups with the potential to reduce emissions by at least 100 megatons of CO2e per year. **EQT Ventures** – $1.1 billion Stockholm-based EQT Ventures raised $1.1 billion for its third fund. While not exclusively climate-focused, it has a strong track record in climate tech and impact investments. **Atomico** – $1.24 billion London-based Atomico closed its sixth fund at $1.24 billion. The firm invests across sectors but has increasingly focused on climate and sustainability, backing companies like ClimateView and Einride. ### What This Means for Founders The takeaway? There's never been more capital available for European startups tackling climate challenges. But it's not just about the money—it's about the ecosystem. The EU Inc proposal could make it easier to incorporate and scale, while these VCs provide the fuel to grow. If you're building something that could make a difference, now's the time to act.