Sofia, Bulgaria · Person Alexander Aleksiev is the Chief Technology Officer of Ampeco, a Bulgarian EV charging management software company founded in 2019 and headquartered in Sofia. Ampeco has raised $42 million in total funding, including a $26 million Series B round led by Revaia with participation from BMW i Ventures, LAUNCHub Ventures, and Cavalry Ventures. The platform manages over 250,000 charge points across more than 70 markets globally, serving 200+ customers. Aleksiev speaks at DEV.BG All in One 2026 on the topic of AI agents in software development and their impact on engineering roles.
Stockholm, Sweden · Startup Candela is a Stockholm-based marine technology company founded in 2014 that designs and builds electric hydrofoil boats and ferries, which lift out of the water on computer-controlled foils to cut energy use dramatically and extend the range of electric propulsion. Its models include leisure craft and the P-12 electric passenger ferry, and it aims to eliminate fossil fuels from waterborne transport.
Munich, Germany · Startup DeepDrive is the Munich startup that convinced major automakers to rethink the electric motor itself. Its core innovation is a patented dual-rotor motor architecture. In a traditional motor, a single rotor spins inside a fixed stator. DeepDrive's design spins both the internal and external rotor simultaneously, delivering higher torque density and substantially better efficiency. The practical outcome is compelling: EVs can achieve roughly 20% more range with 50% less motor weight, while reducing bill-of-materials costs.
By 2026, DeepDrive has moved beyond impressive prototypes to industrialization. The company has reportedly secured series nominations with eight of the top ten global automakers for platform launches in 2028–2029. That level of OEM validation is rare at this stage and signals confidence in both the performance and manufacturability of the design. The company is now focused on building automated production lines in northern Munich to scale output for fleet testing and pre-series runs.
A particularly strategic application is the in-wheel motor. Because the dual-rotor unit is compact and lightweight, it can fit inside the wheel hub, freeing up interior volume and enabling fully flat skateboard platforms. That creates new possibilities for autonomous shuttles and urban delivery vehicles where maximizing passenger or cargo space is paramount. It also allows for advanced vehicle dynamics such as torque vectoring without complex drivetrain components, improving both safety and handling.
DeepDrive is a classic spin-out from the UnternehmerTUM ecosystem at TU Munich, with early validation support from the XPRENEURS incubator. Its investor base blends strategic automotive capital with deep-tech venture funding: Leitmotif led the Series B, BMW i Ventures provides rare early-stage OEM participation, Continental's corporate VC is a strategic partner for braking and chassis integration, and UVC Partners and Bayern Kapital anchor local support. In 2026, DeepDrive is one of Europe’s most promising hardware deep-tech bets: a motor breakthrough with clear OEM pull, manufacturability momentum, and the potential to reshape EV platform design.
Ljubljana, Slovenia · Startup Elaphe Propulsion Technologies was founded in 2006 by Andrej Detela and Gorazd Lampič and specialises in in-wheel electric motors for electric vehicles. The company's plug-and-play Elaphe M700 system places the drive motor directly inside the wheel hub, eliminating traditional axles and drivetrains to improve vehicle efficiency and design freedom. Elaphe received €7 million from the Slovenian government in 2021 and has supplied its technology to automotive partners globally, including Aptera. It is headquartered at Technology Park Ljubljana.
Paris, France · Startup Paris-based ultra-fast EV charging network operator deploying 400 kW stations across nine European countries, enabling 400 km of range recovery in 20 minutes at strategic urban locations. Raised €304M in a 2024 Series B—France's largest mobility infrastructure round at the time—and operates 400+ stations.
Cambridge, United Kingdom · Startup Cambridge, UK battery company developing extreme fast-charge technology using tungsten-based anode chemistry. Its cells recharge to 80% in under five minutes, targeting industrial EVs, power tools, and consumer electronics. Raised a $60M Series C in 2024 at a reported $1B valuation.
Zagreb, Croatia · Startup Rimac Technology is the engineering and technology arm of Rimac Group, building high-performance electric drivetrain components, battery systems, and vehicle technology for major automotive OEMs worldwide. Founded in 2009 by Mate Rimac in a garage near Zagreb, the company has grown into a global leader in EV hypercar engineering (Rimac Nevera) and supplies technology to Porsche, Hyundai, Koenigsegg, and others. Rimac also took majority ownership of Bugatti through a joint venture with Porsche. With its new campus on the outskirts of Zagreb employing over 2,000 people, Rimac is Croatia's most valuable technology company and one of Europe's most impressive deep-tech success stories.
Rijswijk, Netherlands · Startup Rijswijk-based robotics startup that automates EV charging for commercial fleets with a soft robotic arm guided by AI computer vision. Its M1 system serves up to ten robotaxi bays from a single overhead unit, eliminating the need for human cable connection in depot and industrial port operations. Raised $56M total, latest $13M from Capricorn Partners.