In my 20 years as a professional and my past five years building startups, I’ve seen European entrepreneurship evolve tremendously. Yet, stories like Brevo’s recent €500 million fundraise and its unicorn milestone remain rare. They’re exciting because they mix grit, a clear growth plan, and a pinch of European humility. This massive funding round not only propelled Brevo into the unicorn club but also demanded a rewatch of the company’s journey and how it fits into the broader tech ecosystem.
As a bootstrapping founder myself, I see these headlines and wonder: What lessons can I, and other female entrepreneurs especially, take from these success stories? And what truth is hidden behind the sparkle of nine-figure investments and acquisitions? Let’s unpack that step by step while touching on other big news from Bending Spoons’ acquisition of Eventbrite to Europe’s growing interest in education technology.
Lessons from Brevo’s Leap to Unicorn
You may know Brevo for what it used to be, Sendinblue, an email marketing tool for small businesses. In 2023, they rebranded with an ambition not just to grow, but to completely reshape how companies build customer relationships. This alone is a key takeaway: a focused rebrand can unlock markets you hadn’t considered before.
Brevo raised €500 million with a valuation crossing €1 billion. Investors like General Atlantic and Oakley Capital joined, while longtime backers like Bpifrance gave them continued support. What’s striking here is that Brevo didn’t arrive at this milestone by spinning vague promises of algorithms or metaverse hype. Instead, they doubled down on a pain point nearly every small business has: disjointed customer data. This clarity attracted serious investors.
For female founders watching Brevo’s rise, one insight stands out: it's not just about having a great idea but about presenting that idea with unwavering clarity to the right people. If you’re struggling with this, a practice I’ve often leaned on is crafting two sentences: one that explains what your startup solves and another that answers how it changes lives. If these sentences sound complicated, you might still be missing focus.
The Power of Strategic Acquisitions: Bending Spoons and Eventbrite
While Brevo was scaling, Bending Spoons, an Italian tech company, made another big move by acquiring Eventbrite for $500 million. For context, Eventbrite historically struggled despite its popularity. Many insiders attribute this to financial mismanagement and failure to adapt to a post-pandemic world.
Bending Spoons isn’t your startup-next-door; it’s one of Europe’s tech giants. Known for headline-grabbing acquisitions, they previously snapped up Issuu and Vimeo. Every deal reinforces their dominance in digital tools designed for content creators and businesses seeking streamlined workflows.
Why does this matter? It’s proof that acquisitions aren’t just exit strategies, they’re tools for long-term growth. If your startup aims to solve a smaller niche problem, consider what larger companies might gain from buying your product. Do you complement a big player’s lineup? Can you achieve more by joining forces with them? I recently shared with a community of fellow entrepreneurs how one of my own startups was approached for acquisition. What worked in our favor wasn’t sheer revenue but that we filled a gap they couldn’t efficiently build on their own.
Education Technology at the Forefront
Europe’s biggest education technology (edtech) deals in the first half of the year give plenty of fodder for reflection. Startups raised millions to address complex problems, from hybrid education models to AI-driven learning assistants. Mater-AI’s focus on wasted heat in the energy sector and its €1.5 million raise shows that many investors are increasingly rooting for tech that makes an impact.
As a female founder, watching the intersection of education and technology blossom is particularly encouraging. Yet, most deals in this sector are backed by men, with women-led edtech teams often left underfunded. Here’s the thing: every edtech product is, in some form, linked to solving social issues like accessibility and teaching inclusiveness. We, as female founders, are naturally aligned to tackle such areas because inclusivity is coded into how many of us approach processes. The next challenge is learning how to position ourselves credibly in front of risk-averse European investors who aren’t used to betting on new faces.
How-to Guide for European Female Entrepreneurs
1. Test Your Focus
Refine your startup’s mission until it’s clear enough to explain in a single sentence. Share it with three people; if one doesn’t get it, simplify again.
2. Pre-network Before a Fundraise
Most big funding rounds don’t ‘just happen.’ They’re following months of relationship-building. Attend investor events, not to pitch but to observe who’s listening and who’s already aligned with your industry.
3. Know Your Exit Options
Even if selling your startup might not be on your radar, research options early. Whether it’s a Bending Spoons-type acquisition or licensing out intellectual property the way I approached one of my previous ventures, being prepared always helps.
4. Bootstrapping Isn’t an Excuse to Avoid Scaling
While I’m proud to have built startups without external investment, I wouldn’t dismiss scaling. Bootstrap until your product-market fit is clear; then, consider smart investments to break into the next revenue tier.
5. Redesign Education Pitching
If you're an edtech founder, learn from the bigger names like Mater-AI. They emphasized outputs (reduced energy waste) and used their mission to rally diverse investor groups. Pitch your impact, not just your product.
Common Stumbling Blocks to Avoid
Let’s keep it simple:
- Underestimating timelines when scaling post-funding. Money doesn’t erase operational chaos.
- Taking shortcuts on due diligence when entering M&As. A rushed deal can ruin cultural integration.
- Ignoring team alignment when rebranding. Messaging refreshed externally must also connect internally.
Conclusion: Where’s the Opportunity?
Brevo’s massive fundraise, Bending Spoons’ acquisition spree, and Europe’s uptick in edtech activity show us one undeniable thing: there are spaces for European founders to carve out dominance. For female entrepreneurs, instead of lamenting the lack of representation in this picture, let’s use these examples as case studies on what’s possible, what’s repeatable, and what can be done better.
As someone who has continually bootstrapped in a competitive, often male-dominated space, I’m as inspired as ever to remind women: clarity, persistence, and impact are what get you noticed. You don’t need €500 million to prove a point, but if you get there, I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines with all the enthusiasm of a bootstrapping Dutch founder. Keep building!
- Violetta Bonenkamp
FAQ
1. What is Brevo, and how did it achieve unicorn status?
Brevo, formerly known as Sendinblue, is a customer engagement platform that focuses on solving disjointed customer data issues for small businesses. It achieved unicorn status through a €500 million funding round backed by General Atlantic, Oakley Capital, and existing investors. Discover Brevo’s journey to unicorn status
2. What was unique about Brevo's €500 million funding round?
Unlike many large fundraisings tied to hype, Brevo focused on addressing pain points like customer data fragmentation, which attracted serious investors. The rebranding played a significant role in this milestone as it expanded their market focus to broader customer engagements. Read about Brevo’s funding strategy
3. Who are the key investors in Brevo?
Brevo’s investors include General Atlantic, Oakley Capital, Bpifrance, and Bridgepoint. Partech, an earlier investor since 2017, exited during this funding round. See more about Brevo’s investors
4. What is Bending Spoons, and how does it grow through acquisitions?
Bending Spoons is a Milan-based tech company specializing in digital tools. It has expanded rapidly through acquisitions, such as Eventbrite for $500 million and other notable platforms like Vimeo and Issuu. Explore Bending Spoons' acquisition strategy
5. Why did Bending Spoons acquire Eventbrite?
Bending Spoons acquired Eventbrite to enhance its portfolio of consumer and enterprise digital tools targeting global growth. The $500 million all-cash deal strengthens Bending Spoons’ market position. Learn about Eventbrite’s acquisition
6. Which areas are European edtech startups targeting in 2025?
European edtech startups focus on hybrid education models, AI-driven learning tools, and solutions tackling major social issues like accessibility and inclusion. Mater-AI, for instance, raised funding to address energy inefficiencies within educational spaces. See Europe’s biggest edtech deals
7. How can female entrepreneurs benefit from watching Brevo’s success?
Female entrepreneurs can learn the importance of clarity in presenting solutions and an unwavering focus on solving major pain points, a key factor in Brevo’s success. Learn more about Brevo's lessons for entrepreneurs
8. What is the significance of strategic acquisitions like Bending Spoons'?
Strategic acquisitions, like those by Bending Spoons, showcase how companies can fill critical gaps and scale their market dominance through targeted buys rather than just growing organically. Discover the value of acquisitions
9. What challenges are faced by women-led edtech startups in Europe?
Women-led edtech startups often face underfunding despite their alignment with inclusivity and social reform goals. Positioning themselves effectively before risk-averse investors is critical to overcoming these challenges.
10. How does Brevo's rebranding reflect broader trends in business growth?
Brevo’s shift from Sendinblue to a broader customer engagement platform underscores the role of rebranding in redefining a company's mission and unlocking new market opportunities. Explore how Brevo’s rebranding unlocked growth
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
