TechCrunch Industry News Have money, will travel: a16z’s hunt for the next European unicorn
Feb 17, 2026
A16z’s global talent hunt and how scouts find startups in places like Stockholm. The rise of Dentio and its AI tool that turns dental visits into clinical notes. Strategies for European scaling, data privacy and "Made in Sweden" positioning. Comparison with competitors and the wider view that AI startups are emerging worldwide.
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Relentless On-the-Ground Sourcing
- Gabriel Vasquez took nine flights from NYC to Stockholm in one year to source deals and meet founders.
- That hands-on travel helped Andreessen Horowitz spot Dentio and other Swedish startups early.
Founder Origins In Local Incubators
- Dentio's founders met in high school and later joined Stockholm School of Economics' incubator SSE Business Lab.
- They built an AI note-taking tool for dentists inspired by one founder's mother, a practicing dentist.
Niche Focus With Global Ambition
- Dentio focuses tightly on dentists rather than many medical specialties to capture a clear niche.
- The team believes niche domination plus international expansion can still hit VC-scale outcomes.