Red Rooster Dispatch #11
Full July recap, fresh news & what's coming next
Dear Red Rooster Readers,
🌞 knowledge doesn't go on vacation, expire or take a three-month break – and neither do modern technologies. That's why, in the middle of this year's summer with unpredictable weather, we're sharing the latest news from the last few weeks – so everyone can stay up to date, even while lounging in a beach chair. This newsletter includes information about this year's French National Day celebrations at the French Embassy in Poland, news about VC funding, trends, and inspiring meetings worth attending.
🇫🇷 French National Day at the French Embassy in Poland
July 14th holds special meaning for us and this year's French National Day celebrations were truly memorable at the French Embassy in Poland, where we participated in a celebration hosted by His Excellency Mr. Etienne de Poncins, Ambassador of France to Poland. On this day we had the opportunity to connect with the French-Polish innovation ecosystem, share ideas, and celebrate in a spirit of collaboration and creativity.
Of particular significance in the context of this year's French National Day was the signing of the Nancy Treaty, which strengthens the strategic partnership between France and Poland. Despite the unpredictable weather energy and enthusiasm were the clear winners!
💸 VC fresh news
What's new in the European VC? The second quarter has ended, so it's time to take stock. Based on KPMG data, we can already see a decline in the number of deals (1,733 rounds vs. 2,358 in the previous period), but at the same time, we see that the decline in funding is not as significant (USD 14.6 billion vs. USD 16.3 billion in Q1). The largest funds flowed to companies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and defense technologies. Examples include Helsing (USD 682 million) and Tekever (USD 500 million).
There’s more good news from Germany. Germany is gaining value thanks to later-stage deals, despite a slight decline in transactions. Deal value increased to USD 2.7 billion, with investors particularly interested in AI and remote sensing technologies.
Although early-stage venture capital remains active, the majority of capital in Q2 2025 went to more mature startups with traction, primarily in the AI and defense sectors.
🔗 €25 million to support French startups
This is definitely the kind of news worth sharing. The French public bank is allocating another €25 million to strengthen French companies investing in digital assets and blockchain technologies. The announcement was made during a blockchain event in Paris attended by the Minister for AI and Digital Affairs. The initiative aims to strengthen local projects related to tokenization, decentralized finance, and artificial intelligence. Bpifrance already has experience in this area, having invested over €150 million in over 200 startups over the past decade.
This new funding aims to help France secure a stronger position in the growing global cryptocurrency market, which has surpassed €2.7 trillion.
📅 Thursday powered by knowledge – join in August!
Thursday Gathering #238 – Behind the Code
🗓 7 August 2025
🕒 18:00–21:00
📍 CIC, Varso Place, Warsaw
Dive into Python, Ruby, Go, JavaScript & cloud tech. For coders and the curious alike – hands-on, inspiring, and full of insight.
Thursday Gathering #239 – Zero Orbit
🗓 21 August 2025
🕒 18:00–21:00
📍 CIC, Varso Place, Warsaw
Big ideas, bold visions, and creative collisions. Join the Thursday crowd and let your next breakthrough find you.
🌍 Poland as a key innovation hub?
Florence Sardas, partner and Chief Transformation Officer at Forvis Mazars, spoke to ISBiznes, sharing her belief that Poland has enormous potential as an innovation hub. She believes Poland has one of the largest tech talent pools in Europe, a growing startup base and a dynamic ecosystem.
She believes cultural, structural, and strategic changes are key to accelerating development – particularly in terms of access to capital at later stages of development, opening up to international markets, and better coordination between the public and private sectors. Florence Sardas argues that Poland doesn't need a revolution – it just needs to strengthen what's already in place and remove barriers to growth.
🚀 French Tech 2030 – Applications for the second edition of the program are now open!
Finally, we have information about the application process for the second edition of the French Tech 2030 program. If you are developing innovative technologies in key areas for the digital sovereignty of France and Europe – such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, robotics, semiconductors, energy, or the space sector – this announcement is for you!
The first edition of the program supported the development of strategic French startups such as Mistral AI, Alice & Bob, Pasqal, AQEMIA and Unseenlabs. This initiative, led by Mission French Tech, combines technological excellence with strong market potential. Don't delay – apply today and join the ranks of innovators co-creating the future of France:
🔍Looking for a new challenge? Start here!
And last but not least – we've just refreshed our job board. Discover new roles, fresh opportunities and V.I.E. offers waiting for you!
