Amid the dynamic startup landscape, Quantexa, a leading AI-driven data analytics platform, has subtly announced plans to consider a public listing on the US stock exchange by 2026. This potential move could not only elevate Quantexa’s market position but also signal a broader trend among European tech startups eyeing US markets for enhanced growth opportunities. If you're a startup enthusiast, aspiring entrepreneur, or founder, keep reading for strategy insights, statistics, and practical guides inspired by Quantexa’s journey.
Why Startups Are Looking to Go Public on US Markets
Quantexa’s decision aligns with a growing pattern of European companies seeking US listings. Here’s why:
- Valuation Boost: The US typically offers higher investor confidence and better valuation prospects. Quantexa reportedly aims for an IPO valuation above $3 billion, up from its March 2025 valuation of $2.6 billion.
- Investor Appetite: US markets show increased demand for tech IPOs, contrasting with the post-2021 slowdown in European listings.
- Access to Larger Capital Pools: With the largest stock exchanges, the US offers unmatched exposure to global investors, an advantage European companies like Spotify and UiPath have levered.
Lessons for Startups From Quantexa's Expansion
Startup Opportunity Checklist
Before you consider expanding to new markets or pursuing an IPO:
- Achieve Strong Revenue Growth: Quantexa reported $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) as of October 2024, presenting solid financial indicators for potential investors.
- Utilize Strategic Fundraising: In March 2025, Quantexa secured $175 million in funding to fuel its global expansion plans. For early-stage startups, exploring grant opportunities like those offered by the F/MS AI Grant Finder could be a game-changing move.
- Validate Your Market Fit: Quantexa has demonstrated success in the US market, and other startups should follow suit. Use the SANDBOX validation framework by Fe/male Switch to validate startup ideas and pivot confidently if needed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Expanding Globally
- Underestimating Costs: Expansion requires significant funds, not just for operations but also marketing, legal compliance, and product localization.
- Ignoring Regulatory Requirements: Learn from startups like Darktrace, which invested heavily in meeting US regulatory compliance before their listing.
- Lack of Local Partnerships: Forge relationships with local entities, as Quantexa seeks to do through acquisitions in the US, to access valuable resources and consumer bases.
Add Value to Your Startup With PlayPal
Looking for a tool to refine your startup idea or simulate navigating global markets? Meet PlayPal, your AI-powered conversational co-founder. Developed by Fe/male Switch, PlayPal provides:
- Tailored Advice: Think of PlayPal as your virtual mentor, helping you with strategy, market entry plans, and even brainstorming creative ideas.
- Personalized SOPs: PlayPal assists in creating playbooks or Standard Operating Procedures personalized to your startup's unique goals.
- Decision Support: Whether it's choosing between pursuing grants or seeking private investors, PlayPal helps weigh pros and cons effectively.
Check out PlayPal to supercharge your startup journey!
How to Find EU Funding for Startups
If you’re a startup founder in Europe like Quantexa was initially, EU funding grants can accelerate your growth. Use the F/MS AI Grant Finder and the Application Writer tool to identify the perfect grant for your venture.
How It Works:
- Grant Selection Made Simple: Answer basic questions about your startup, such as its industry, stage, and funding goals.
- Application Assistance: Get a draft application written by AI, customized to maximize your success chances.
- Time Savings: Skip tedious research. Focus on your product while the tool handles the funding strategy.
Quantexa’s Journey to IPO: Key Statistics
- Founded: 2016 (London-based)
- Valuation in March 2025: $2.6 billion
- IPO Target: $3 billion valuation in 2026 (Bloomberg report)
- Funding Raised: $175 million in 2025 for US expansion
- Revenue (2024): $100 million ARR
Startups in Malta: Exploring New Local Opportunities
Startup founders looking for cost-effective jurisdictions can also consider Malta as an alternative launchpad or expansion hub. Check out how startups settle in Malta, which explores government support, incubators, and competitive immigration policies specific to Malta.
Want to land in Malta for your startup? Learn more via Malta Enterprise collaboration.
Conclusion: Lessons From Quantexa
Quantexa’s journey provides startup founders with invaluable lessons, secure robust funding, focus on scalable markets, and, most importantly, validate your ideas effectively. Learn from tools and resources mentioned here, including PlayPal, AI Grant Finder, and startup ecosystems like Malta's or US markets, to position your startup for success.
Whether it’s pursuing an IPO, launching in global markets, or merely validating your first idea, these steps will guide your journey.
Want More Insights?
Explore Fe/male Switch’s Startup Game for comprehensive and fun ways to build your startup. From idea validation to growing your skills, the game gives you unparalleled startup experience, all within an interactive simulator.
FAQ
1. What is Quantexa, and when was it founded?
Quantexa is a London-based AI-driven data analytics platform that specializes in risk detection, fraud prevention, and data management for businesses and governments. It was founded in 2016. Visit Quantexa's official website
2. Is Quantexa planning a US IPO?
Yes, Quantexa is considering a public listing on a US stock exchange, with an IPO potentially targeted for 2026. The company is reportedly aiming for a valuation above $3 billion. Read the Bloomberg coverage
3. How much funding did Quantexa raise in 2025?
In March 2025, Quantexa secured $175 million in funding to support its US expansion and potential strategic acquisitions. Learn more about its fundraising
4. Why is Quantexa considering the US market for its IPO?
The US typically offers higher investor confidence, better valuations, and access to larger capital pools. Other European companies, such as Spotify, UiPath, and Darktrace, have successfully leveraged US public markets for growth.
5. What were Quantexa’s reported revenues in 2024?
Quantexa announced $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) as of October 2024, demonstrating strong financial performance and market demand.
6. What is one of Quantexa’s key strategies to prepare for its IPO?
Quantexa emphasizes market fit validation and global expansion, particularly in the US. Acquisitions and strategic partnerships form an essential part of its growth plan.
7. What common mistakes should startups avoid when expanding globally like Quantexa?
Startups should avoid underestimating costs, ignoring regulatory requirements, and neglecting the importance of local partnerships. For example, Darktrace invested heavily in US regulatory compliance before listing.
8. What is PlayPal, and how can it help startups?
PlayPal is an AI-powered conversational co-founder designed to assist startups. It offers tailored advice, helps create personalized operating procedures, and supports decision-making for market entry and funding strategies. Learn more about PlayPal
9. How can startup founders find EU funding similar to Quantexa?
EU startup grants provide substantial funding opportunities. Tools like the F/MS AI Grant Finder simplify the process by matching startups with suitable grants and offering application writing assistance. Explore F/MS AI Grant Finder
10. What alternative markets to the US and UK are promising for startups?
Malta is an emerging hub for startups, offering government support, business-friendly policies, and cost-effective operations. Learn more about Malta’s startup ecosystem
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
