Key Takeaways
- • Swap, a London-based AI platform for ecommerce brands, ranks #9 in Sifted's 2026 AI 100, having raised $100 million in January 2026 on top of a $40 million Series B, for total funding of $149 million.
- • Four 2100 Ventures portfolio companies made the 2026 AI 100 list: Swap (#9), Lupa (#38), Mimic (#23) and Orbio (#62), per the firm's press release distributed via PR Newswire UK.
- • 2100 Ventures ranks #28 among Sifted's Top 50 investors and lenders behind the AI 100, the only Italian investor on the list, with twice as many portfolio companies represented as last year.
- • Sifted's AI 100 considered more than 1,500 eligible AI-native startups valued under $1bn, assessed on market opportunity, competitive differentiation and momentum.
Summary
Two London startups backed by European early-stage venture capital firm 2100 Ventures have been recognised in Sifted's 2026 AI 100, which ranks Europe's most promising AI-native startups, according to a company press release distributed via PR Newswire UK. Four 2100 Ventures portfolio companies made this year's list in total. Swap ranks #9 and Lupa #38, while Mimic ranks #23 and Orbio #62.
Swap, which provides an AI-powered platform helping ecommerce brands manage and grow their global operations, was founded in 2022. The company raised $100 million in January 2026, following a $40 million Series B, bringing its total funding to $149 million. Lupa is a London-based, AI-native veterinary technology company founded in 2023 that develops software to automate administrative tasks, clinical documentation and client communications for veterinary practices. It raised $4 million in seed funding in January 2025 from investors including firstminute capital, 2100 Ventures and Vento by Exor Ventures, and announced a further $20 million Series A in October 2025, bringing its reported total funding to $25 million.
2100 Ventures was also named the only Italian investor among Sifted's Top 50 investors and lenders behind the AI 100, ranking #28 overall. The firm reports twice as many portfolio companies represented as last year. Sifted considered more than 1,500 eligible companies for the AI 100, which covers AI-native startups valued under $1bn.
2100 Ventures was founded in 2023 by Alessandro Benetton alongside Andrea Casasco and Andrea Gennarini. The early-stage firm invests across AI, SaaS, fintech, data and ClimateTech, and is supported by Edizione and 21 Invest. Benetton, Chairman of Edizione, founded private equity firm 21 Invest in 1992, which has raised more than €3 billion and invested in more than 110 companies. In the release, Benetton said the firm's aim is to give the next generation of European founders the backing needed to build businesses with international impact, and described the four recognitions as encouraging evidence of the ambition of these founders.
Swap, which provides an AI-powered platform helping ecommerce brands manage and grow their global operations, was founded in 2022. The company raised $100 million in January 2026, following a $40 million Series B, bringing its total funding to $149 million. Lupa is a London-based, AI-native veterinary technology company founded in 2023 that develops software to automate administrative tasks, clinical documentation and client communications for veterinary practices. It raised $4 million in seed funding in January 2025 from investors including firstminute capital, 2100 Ventures and Vento by Exor Ventures, and announced a further $20 million Series A in October 2025, bringing its reported total funding to $25 million.
2100 Ventures was also named the only Italian investor among Sifted's Top 50 investors and lenders behind the AI 100, ranking #28 overall. The firm reports twice as many portfolio companies represented as last year. Sifted considered more than 1,500 eligible companies for the AI 100, which covers AI-native startups valued under $1bn.
2100 Ventures was founded in 2023 by Alessandro Benetton alongside Andrea Casasco and Andrea Gennarini. The early-stage firm invests across AI, SaaS, fintech, data and ClimateTech, and is supported by Edizione and 21 Invest. Benetton, Chairman of Edizione, founded private equity firm 21 Invest in 1992, which has raised more than €3 billion and invested in more than 110 companies. In the release, Benetton said the firm's aim is to give the next generation of European founders the backing needed to build businesses with international impact, and described the four recognitions as encouraging evidence of the ambition of these founders.
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