The EIB Group, seven EU member states and fifteen institutional investors commit more than €10 billion in new equity for European tech scale-ups, targeting up to €80 billion in total mobilisation.
SCALE-UP CAPITAL
EIB-led alliance channels €10B in new equity, aiming to mobilise €80B for European scale-ups
On 9 November, the EIB Group, seven EU member states, and fifteen institutional investors committed more than €10 billion in new equity for European tech scale-ups, announced at ECOFIN in Brussels.
The capital flows through the European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI), launched in 2023. Member states are contributing roughly €2 billion via the Tech Champions fund-of-funds; institutional investors, including APG, PGGM, Banco Santander, BBVA, and France's Tibi Initiative, have pledged more than €8 billion. Average investment ticket: approximately €200 million.
The ETCI has already backed 15 VC megafunds and supported more than 50 EU companies, sixteen of which have reached unicorn status. First new investment decisions are expected within weeks.
WHY IT MATTERS
Defence Equity Facility 2.0 extends the package with a €1B target for dual-use founders
The European Commission has committed €100 million to launch Defence Equity Facility 2.0 (DEF 2.0), with a €1 billion fundraising target focused on defence technology, space, and cybersecurity companies.
For founders: ETCI does not invest directly into companies. Its capital reaches founders through the VC megafunds it backs. If your investor is in an ETCI-backed megafund, the pool behind them just grew. For defence and dual-use founders: DEF 2.0 is a new institutional equity route with first investments expected within weeks.
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