A photonics company with a Massachusetts outpost is bringing in some extra cash to get its latest product out to customers, citing the "AI frenzy" as a major driver for all optical communication businesses.

EFFECT Photonics has raised an additional $24 million in its Series D funding round, bringing the total to $62 million.

The Netherlands has always been considered a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.In recent years, this reputation has only grown stronger, with multiple tech startups emerging and gaining recognition internationally.Right from a sustainable online supermarket model to developing the world’s most efficient and sophisticated edge AI solutions, Dutch startups are making waves across various industries.The Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) by Startup Genome and Techleap confirmed this trend.The Netherlands climbed to 13th place in the world’s top-performing startup ecosystems, a one-place improvement from last year.According to the report, the Dutch ecosystem generated $96B in value during the 18 months from July 2021 to December 2023.- A message from our partner -The Dutch ecosystem scores are high in performance areas such as funding, talent, and experience, placing it in the global top 15, says the report.Having said that, in H1 2024, the Netherlands has seen a surge in investment activity that has captured the attention of investors, job seekers, and technology enthusiasts alike.With a thriving tech ecosystem and an increasing number of innovative startups, the Dutch market is proving to be a fertile ground for groundbreaking ideas and solid financial backing.In this article, we have compiled the top ten largest funding rounds in the Netherlands for H1 2024. Furthermore, these companies are actively seeking new talent in addition to funding.Image credits: PicnicPicnicFundraised: €355MFounder/s: Michiel Muller, Frederik Nieuwenhuys, Joris Beckers, Bas VerheijenHQ: AmsterdamHiring status: Yes| Apply herePicnic is an online supermarket with a sustainable model, offering free doorstep delivery and competitive prices for groceries.Customers can choose convenient delivery times tracked down to the minute. The innovative distribution method incurs such low costs that delivery is offered free of charge, and the groceries are competitively priced.Image credit: MewsMewsFundraised: €101.39MFounder/s: Richard ValtrHQ: AmsterdamHiring status: Yes| Apply hereMews offers a cloud-based property management system (PMS). After managing a hotel in Prague, Mews recognized the industry’s reliance on outdated technology and aimed to transform hotel operations.Mews offers a cloud-based system that integrates with numerous tech solutions. Currently, it manages over 350,000 hospitality spaces for 5,000 global clients, including Strawberry Hotels, The Social Hub, and Airelles.Image credits: DataSnipperDataSnipperFundraised: €92.53MCEO: Vidya PetersHQ: AmsterdamHiring status: Yes| Apply hereDataSnipper addresses the labour-intensive nature of auditing by providing an intelligent automation platform.By automating repetitive tasks, it aims to boost productivity for auditors, allowing them to focus on more complex and valuable aspects of their work. The company claims that its technology not only enhances efficiency but also reduces the risk of errors.Image credits: Axelera AIAxelera AIFundraised: €63.5MFounder/s: Fabrizio Del Maffeo and Evangelos EleftheriouHQ: EindhovenHiring status: Yes| Apply hereAxelera AI claims to be developing the world’s most efficient and sophisticated edge AI solutions