Red Rooster Dispatch #4: 2024 recap & 2025 plans, Poland can into space, Izera is down, DeepLife about to revolutionize medtech
Dear Readers,
Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, we're excited to kick things off with a special recap of 2024—highlighting the milestones, achievements, and events that made the past year unforgettable.
Looking ahead, we’re eager to share groundbreaking updates from startups leading the way in space exploration and medical technology. May this year bring new challenges, opportunities, and inspiring breakthroughs across all fields!
A Year of Growth and Innovation
2024 was a milestone year for La French Tech Warsaw! From launching our French Tech Podcast and Red Rooster Dispatch to hosting impactful conferences and attending major tech events, our community has grown stronger and more vibrant.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners—Orange, Cambridge Innovation Center, EY, Business France, OVH Cloud, 42 Warsaw, CCI France Pologne, Webellian, subko&co, and Venture Cafe Warsaw—and to our amazing volunteers for their unwavering support.
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited for more growth, collaboration, and innovation. But first, here’s a look back at 2024!
January – We launched our French Tech Podcast! Tune in here: French Tech Podcast.
February – We participated in the "AI in Business: From Algorithm to Profits" networking event hosted by the French-Polish Chamber of Commerce, where Marta Subko was a speaker. Additionally, we had the honor of attending the splendid 30th Anniversary Gala of CCIFP.
March – We organized the French Tech Connect Conference titled "Ready, Set, AI!" and co-hosted the French Tech Breakfast event, "Bridging the Gap: Industry and Education," at the School 42 Warsaw headquarters.
May – We participated in VivaTech, the largest tech event focusing on French technology and business, alongside its side events.
June – We were thrilled to attend the "Computing Power Landscape in Central and Eastern Europe" event, hosted by Scaleway and Nvidia.
July – We celebrated French National Holiday together with the French Embassy.
August – We reached a significant milestone of 1,000 followers on LinkedIn!
September – We partnered with CCIFP at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, where Walid Barsali led a panel on tech investment in Europe. We hosted the AI, Quantum, and Cloud Business Breakfast with OVHcloud, attended by 65+ founders and innovators. Emmanuel Lickel-Skiba represented us at the “Start-Up Revolution” conference.
October – Julie Huguet took over Mission French Tech. We joined Warsaw Tech Connect, where Walid Barsali shared insights on the French strategy for Europe, and we launched our Red Rooster Dispatch newsletter.
November – We attended Warsaw Finance Week, organized by Future Finance Poland. Aurelien Deleusiere participated as a panelist in the discussion "Attractiveness of France and the EU for the Financial Sector," and Walid Barsali led a session on "Innovations in Finance."
December – Michal Klepaczko, our Community Lead at La French Tech Warsaw, shared his insights on “The Role of Innovative Communities in Startup Growth” at the Odkrycie Rynku project event.
In 2025, French Tech Warsaw is excited to keep building bridges between the French and Polish tech communities. Here’s what we’ve got lined up this year:
French Tech Breakfasts:
Regular meetups for entrepreneurs, investors, and partners to connect, share ideas, and enjoy quality time together.Podcasts:
Our podcast series is back! Dive into inspiring stories, hear from industry experts, and explore the ever-evolving world of tech.French Tech Connect 2025:
This year’s event will focus on Deeptech, a rapidly growing sector. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn and connect with thought leaders.Vivatech 2025:
We’re thrilled to participate in this global event, showcasing Polish and French startups to a worldwide audience, boosting visibility, and fostering new opportunities.
A huge thank you to all our partners and volunteers who make these events possible. Your support means everything to us!
#1: ICEYE Secures Additional $65 Million in Funding
ICEYE, a Polish-Finnish company specializing in advanced Earth observation radar technology, has raised an additional $65 million, bringing its total funding for 2024 to $158 million and over $500 million since inception. The funds, contributed by investors including Solidium Oy, BlackRock, Seraphim, Plio Limited, and Christo Georgiev, will enhance ICEYE's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, strengthening its global market position.
#2: Scanway Partners with Intuitive Machines for Lunar Exploration
Polish company Scanway has secured a contract with U.S.-based Intuitive Machines to supply an optical instrument for mapping the Moon's surface. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Poland's space sector, as Scanway's telescope is set to be deployed on an Intuitive Machines satellite orbiting the Moon between 500 km and 2,800 km above its surface. The mission, scheduled for late 2025, aims to enhance lunar exploration capabilities by detecting surface minerals, contributing to the broader Lunar Data Network initiative.
#3: Poland Shifts Focus from Izera to New E-Mobility Cluster
The Polish government has decided to discontinue the Izera electric car project, redirecting efforts toward establishing an e-mobility cluster in collaboration with international partners, including Chinese firms. This strategic pivot aims to strengthen Poland's position in the electric vehicle industry by focusing on production and technological development rather than creating a standalone national brand. The move is expected to attract foreign investment and facilitate technology transfer, fostering growth in the domestic e-mobility sector.
#4: French Tech Funding Declines by 50% in H2 2024
French startups experienced a significant funding downturn in the second half of 2024, securing just under €3 billion—a 50% drop from the €5.9 billion raised in the first half of the year. This decline affected all investment stages, with early and growth-stage funding decreasing by 44% and late-stage (Series D and beyond) plummeting by 66%. Contributing factors include political instability following a snap election in June, leading to a divided Parliament and government freeze, which has created uncertainty among investors and entrepreneurs. Despite this, total funding for 2024 stands at €8.8 billion, slightly below the €9.5 billion raised in 2023, indicating resilience amid challenges.
#5: DeepLife Secures $10M Series A to Advance AI-Driven Drug Repurposing
French startup DeepLife has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round led by YZR Capital and Relyens Innovation Santé, with participation from Beiersdorf Venture Capital and Prunay Group. Founded in 2019, DeepLife develops AI-powered "digital twins" of human cells to simulate drug effects, aiming to repurpose existing medications for new treatments, particularly in autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. The company plans to expand into the U.S. to access a larger talent pool and growth capital, potentially relocating entirely after a Series B round anticipated in early 2026.