Hardware Startups Draw Global Capital Across Aerospace, Robotics and Fusion

In Europe, Amsterdam-based Monumental raised €27 million (about $32 million) in a Series B led by Khosla Ventures, with continued backing from existing investors Plural and Hummingbird. EU-Startups reported that the company, founded by former Palantir employees, automates construction using robotics and software. The capital is earmarked for growing its engineering team, deploying more robots, broadening the tasks its machines can perform, and expanding into the United States. Co-founder and Chief Executive Salar al Khafaji said the world lacks enough people to build what it needs, adding that the shortage would not be resolved by another app or a robot doing backflips on stage, but by machines that lay real brick on site to specification.

A busy year for European physical-AI

EU-Startups noted that Monumental's raise arrived amid ongoing investment in European construction technology and physical-AI firms during 2026. Comparable rounds tracked by the outlet totalled roughly €130 million, with around €51 million directed at construction-site technology, procurement, workflow tools, circular materials and renovation, and approximately €79 million raised collectively by industrial robotics companies THEKER and Allonic.

Fusion energy gains momentum in Japan

In Japan, Starlight Engine (SLE) raised JPY 6.06 billion, about $37.4 million, in its first external funding round, according to Ventureburn. The money will accelerate its FAST fusion project, which aims to demonstrate fusion power generation during the 2030s ahead of commercialisation. Chief Executive Kiyotaka Kikuchi said the round reflects growing confidence in both the company and the future of fusion energy. Funds will support engineering design, research and development, regulatory compliance, site assessment and supply chain work. FAST uses a tokamak configuration, drawing on experience from international projects such as ITER and Japan's JT-60SA. The report noted that demonstrating fusion power in the 2030s has become a national strategic priority in Japan.