Montenegro Tops Global Wealth Migration as Fastest-Growing Millionaire Hub with 124% Increase: Fortune

NOTABLE GLOBAL TECH HEADLINES

Why Montenegro Is Emerging as the Fastest-Growing Millionaire Hub
Montenegro has experienced a 124% increase in resident millionaires over the past decade, fueled by its attractive low-tax policies, Mediterranean climate, and convenient access to Europe, according to Fortune. The country’s tax-friendly environment, including flat income tax and no inheritance or gift taxes, combined with lifestyle benefits, has drawn wealthy individuals from over 40 countries. This trend is part of a global “great wealth migration” in 2025, with many millionaires leaving politically and fiscally uncertain regions like the UK for more stable havens such as Montenegro, the UAE, and Malta. [Source: Fortune]

European VCs Shift Focus to Defence Tech with Dedicated Funds 
European venture capital is increasingly targeting defence technology in 2025, as the continent ramps up spending and rearmament efforts. Specialist defence funds and generalist VCs reallocating capital are backing startups in areas like autonomous drones, AI defence, maritime tech, and cybersecurity. Notable milestones include two drone startups reaching unicorn status and AI firm Helsing raising €600 million, signaling a booming sector attracting significant venture investment. [Source: Sifted]

Silicon Valley Deepens Pentagon Collabs with AI Contracts
Google, OpenAI, Meta, and other leading AI firms have secured Pentagon deals worth up to $200 million each to develop advanced AI for military applications. This move signals a major shift as tech giants integrate more deeply into defense projects, supplying autonomous systems and battlefield intelligence amid rising geopolitical tensions. Executives joining the Army Reserve underscore the growing public-private partnership in U.S. military AI strategy. [Source: The New York Times]

STARTUP NEWS FROM EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE

BULGARIA

WiseBee Raises $2.5M to Boost AI Cybersecurity Platform
WiseBee, founded in 2024 and based in Sofia with US headquarters, secured $2.5 million in one of the largest pre-seed rounds in Central and Eastern Europe. The startup’s AI-driven cybersecurity platform autonomously detects and remediates threats in real time for mid-sized organizations, reducing response times from days to hours. Led by Frontline Ventures and BrightCap Ventures, the funding will accelerate product development, enhance AI capabilities, expand integrations, and support growth across Europe and North America. [Source: Vestbee]

UKRAINE

Germany Proposes $116B Resilience Fund to Boost Defense Startups
Germany is planning a $116 billion (€100 billion) investment fund—called the Deutschlandfonds or Germany Fund—to enhance resilience in critical sectors such as infrastructure, defence, and strategic industries. The fund will combine an initial €10 billion of government capital with private investments from venture capital, private equity, and family offices to support large projects and higher-risk startups, providing both funding and a government seal of approval. This effort responds to geopolitical challenges like the war in Ukraine, trade tensions, and supply chain vulnerabilities, while also aiming to stimulate economic growth and innovation in Germany’s strategic and industrial sectors. [Source: Resilience Media]

Ukraine’s Himera Radios Attract U.S. Military Interest
Ukrainian tech startup Himera rapidly developed rugged, jamming-resistant radios for frontline troops during the war, filling critical communication gaps exposed by the Russian invasion. Their handheld G1 device—already used by Ukrainian marines and special forces—has now drawn attention from the US Air Force and forged a 2025 encryption partnership for North American and NATO distribution. [Source: Monocle]

US Investor: Western Militaries Risk Falling Behind Without Adapting 
Deborah Fairlamb, co-founder of Green Flag Ventures and a U.S. venture capitalist based in Kyiv, tells The War Zone how Ukrainian developers work closely with frontline units in a fast “build-test” cycle that allows continuous iteration and adaptation to combat needs, compared to much slower Western procurement systems. Fairlamb warns that while Ukraine’s grassroots innovation is a model, Western militaries risk strategic disadvantage if they don’t drastically change their weapons development and procurement approaches to match this pace and environment. [Source: The War Zone] 

Ukraine Deploys Ground Robot as Drone Launcher for Multi-Drone FPV Strikes                   Ukraine has developed a ground-based robotic system called “Karakurt” that acts as a mobile launch platform for multiple FPV (first-person view) attack drones, enabling simultaneous drone strikes from the battlefield. This innovation reflects Ukraine’s ongoing push to integrate autonomous systems with frontline operations, enhancing precision and versatility in combat without exposing soldiers directly to danger. [Source: Mezha.media]

EU Countries Apply for $147B in Loans to Fund Joint Defense Projects 
Eighteen EU member states have requested about $147 billion (€127 billion) in low-interest loans under the EU’s Security Assistance Facility for Europe (SAFE) to strengthen defense capabilities and support joint procurement, including arms supplies to Ukraine. The loans, part of the broader ReArm Europe plan, aim to boost European defense readiness and reduce dependency on external suppliers amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Poland leads with a €45 billion request, reflecting wide EU commitment to coordinated defense investment and enhanced military self-sufficiency. [Source: Ukraine Business News]

Latvian BADideas.fund Invests in Ukrainian Mental Health Platform Pleso Therapy
Latvian venture fund BADideas.fund participated in a €1.2 million funding round for Pleso Therapy, a Ukrainian online platform providing mental health treatment by connecting patients with therapists. Founded in 2021, Pleso has facilitated nearly 200,000 therapy sessions for over 25,000 users across Ukraine, Poland, and Romania. The investment round also included TA Ventures, Vchasno.Group, and Ukrainian boxing champion Oleksandr Usik, supporting Pleso’s mission to expand access to structured mental health care in the region. [Source: BalticVC]

LATVIA

Cellbox Labs Raises $3.8 Million to Advance Biotech Product Development
Latvian biotech startup Cellbox Labs has secured €3.3 million (approximately $3.8 million USD) in funding to accelerate development of its portfolio, including lab-grown mini organs for safer, faster drug testing. The financing includes government support and enhances strategic partnerships, positioning Cellbox Labs to scale its innovative automated vascularized organ-on-a-chip platform for more precise drug discovery. This funding round underscores growing investor interest in cutting-edge biotech solutions from the Baltic region. [Source: Labs of Latvia]

Latvian Startup Develops App to Turn Household Chores into a Game for Families
BeeMazing is a new app being developed in Latvia aimed at motivating children and families to complete household tasks by gamifying chores. The app encourages engagement by turning routine housework into a fun challenge, helping to instill responsibility and cooperation in a playful way. This innovation reflects growing interest in tech solutions that combine daily life management with interactive game mechanics.[Source: Labs of Latvia]

Latvian Biometric Startup Raises $4.2M to Scale Palm-Scan Payment PlatformLatvian startup Handwave has secured $4.2 million in seed funding led by Practica Capital to expand its palm-scan payment and identity authentication technology. The platform enables consumers to pay, verify age, and access loyalty rewards through a simple hand gesture, eliminating the need for cards or devices. Following a recent partnership with Visa, Handwave aims to accelerate adoption across Europe and the US, targeting seamless and secure biometric transactions. [Source: BalticVC]

LITHUANIA

Lithuanian Biotech Startup Psylink Raises $580K to Develop Psychedelic Therapies
Lithuanian biotech startup Psylink has raised $580,000 USD (€501,521) in a pre-seed funding round led by Coinvest Capital, with participation from Firstpick, BSV Ventures, and angel investors. Psylink develops a proprietary sustainable biotechnology platform that uses genetically engineered yeast to produce plant- and fungi-derived psychedelic compounds, aiming to create new, science-based therapies for treatment-resistant mental health disorders like depression and PTSD. The funding will accelerate development of their biosynthetic processes and facilitate screening and preclinical testing of novel molecular candidates for mental health treatment. [Source: Vestbee]

Estonian Sunly Secures €85M Loan to Build Solar Parks in Latvia

Estonian Sunly Secures €85M Loan to Build Solar Parks in LatviaEstonian renewable energy developer Sunly has raised nearly €85 million ($98.5 million) in international financing from the European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and SEB bank to construct four solar parks in Latvia. The projects will have a combined capacity of 329 MW, powering approximately 180,000 households annually. Completion is targeted for early 2027, supporting Latvia’s clean energy transition goals. [Source: BalticVC]

KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakh AI Startup FinFlow Wins Top Prize at Top Silicon Valley Competition
Kazakhstan’s AI startup FinFlow was named the winner of the 2025 Startup World Cup Silicon Valley Regional Competition, securing $5,000 and entry into the Hero Training acceleration program. FinFlow’s AI-powered CFO platform optimizes financial management for small and medium businesses and plans rapid expansion across Central Asia following this recognition at the prestigious global startup contest. The Startup World Cup is known for connecting top startups with investors and offering a $1 million grand prize at its San Francisco finale. [Source: DigitalBusiness.kz]

Kazakhstan Tests Shanghai SpaceSail Satellite Internet 
Kazakhstan completed a pilot test of the Chinese satellite internet system Shanghai SpaceSail in the Almaty region, achieving connection speeds up to 200 Mbps. The technology, based on low-Earth orbit satellites, aims to provide stable, high-speed internet access to remote schools, medical facilities, mobile units, and infrastructure where fiber-optic networks are limited or costly. Shanghai SpaceSail plans to begin commercial operations in Kazakhstan by 2026 as part of the country’s broader digital expansion strategy leveraging satellite internet alongside other providers like SpaceX’s Starlink. [Source: Profit.kz]

ESTONIA

Ukrainian-Estonian Startup Raises $1.5M to Scale Communications Tech
Teletactica secured $1.5 million in seed funding led by MITS Capital and Green Flag Ventures to expand production of its modular, low-power tactical communication hardware. Designed for drones and unmanned vehicles, the technology delivers secure, encrypted signals with ultra-low packet loss and resilience against electronic jamming and GPS denial. Currently deployed in Ukraine, Teletactica aims to support NATO integration and penetrate European defense markets. [Source: Arctic Startup]

Bisly Raises $5 Million to Expand AI-Powered Building Automation in Europe
Estonian startup Bisly secured $5 million (approximately €4.3 million) to accelerate growth of its AI-driven building automation platform across Central and Western Europe, targeting Germany, the UK, and Poland. The cloud-based system reduces energy consumption in buildings by up to 40% and cuts implementation costs by up to 50% compared to legacy technologies. With strong market traction in Estonia, the funding will support expanding operations, including a new office in Poland, and scaling its platform that integrates AI and digital twin technology for smarter, more sustainable buildings. [Source: Arctic Startup]

ROMANIA

Romanian Elderly Care Network Affinity Life Care Gets Funding from BlackPeak Capital

Bucharest-based Affinity Life Care, operating three elderly care centers with over 400 authorized beds, has received a strategic growth investment from Bulgarian private equity firm BlackPeak Capital, marking the first private equity fund entry into Romania’s senior care sector. The funding will support expanding the network by opening new facilities across Romanian cities, improving medical and rehabilitation services, and developing staff to meet rising demand. [Source: Vestbee]