Celebrity Investments in European Startups
The trend of celebrity investment in startups is expanding, with famous backers venturing beyond traditional endorsements into sectors like AI, healthcare, clean energy, and biotechnology. Their participation not only brings funding but also visibility and strategic expertise.
Here’s a look at 10 notable celebrity-backed startups across Europe:
1. Kylian Mbappé – Alan (France)
- Investment: €100 million funding round
- Details: Mbappé joined Paris-based health-tech company Alan as an investor and ambassador in March 2026. The digital health insurance provider raised €100 million, reaching a valuation of around €5 billion.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio – SolarMente (Spain)
- Investment: €50 million financing agreement
- Details: DiCaprio invested in the solar energy startup in 2024, which later went bankrupt in April 2026. He has continued his investment trend, recently backing another energy company.
3. Emma Watson – FabricNano (United Kingdom)
- Investment: €10.5 million Series A
- Details: Watson invested in the bio-tech startup known for its innovative cell-free biomanufacturing technology.
4. Pau Gasol – Luzia (Spain)
- Investment: €9.5 million funding round
- Details: Gasol backed the Madrid-based AI startup Luzia, which provides a generative AI assistant on messaging platforms.
5. Elton John – Audoo (United Kingdom)
- Investment: €4.75 million funding round
- Details: Elton John invested in this music tech startup that focuses on improving royalty payments for artists through audio recognition technology.
6. Ibai Llanos – Plesh (Spain)
- Investment: €3.75 million funding round
- Details: The streamer invested alongside Gerard Piqué in this startup that develops sugar-free chocolate snacks.
7. Snoop Dogg – Sanity Group (Germany)
- Investment: €3 million investment
- Details: Through Casa Verde Capital, Snoop Dogg contributed to this medical cannabis and consumer health company.
8. Novak Djokovic – waterdrop (Austria)
- Investment: Seven-figure investment
- Details: Djokovic invested in this startup that creates hydration cubes dissolving in water, enhancing portability and convenience.
9. Diogo Dalot – Bioniq (United Kingdom)
- Investment: Over €1 million investment
- Details: The Manchester United player invested in this health tech company that develops personalized nutritional supplements.
10. David Beckham – Guild Esports (United Kingdom)
- Investment: €272k investment
- Details: Beckham entered the esports sector by investing in this organization built around professional gaming teams.
Summary
These investments illustrate how celebrities are becoming integral to Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Their participation often provides startups with essential resources and unique advantages, aiding their growth in diverse industries from digital health to entertainment and energy sectors.
