European Tech Champions Initiative celebrates one-year anniversary with €1 billion of investments

The European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI) is excited to mark its one-year anniversary with close to €1 billion of investments aimed at mobilising up to €6 billion, to reinforce its commitment to investing in cutting-edge companies and driving digital transformation across the continent.

ETCI has supported four funds to date, including one at the final stage of closing:

• Atomico Growth VI: ETCI has invested in Atomico Growth VI, a growth fund focusing on partnering with game-changing European technology scale-up founders. Atomico Growth VI aligns perfectly with ETCI's objective of supporting European tech companies and propelling their growth journeys.
• FSI II: ETCI has supported FSI II, a fund that supports the growth and expansion of Italian mid-cap companies, with a target fund size of €1.5 billion. FSI II targets established Italian businesses in various sectors, helping them become successful global players.
• Keensight Nova VI: ETCI has invested in Keensight Nova VI, a fund that focuses on cybersecurity, automation and robotics, enterprise software, med tech, and healthcare services. With a fund size of €2.3 billion, Keensight Nova VI aims to build a portfolio of exceptional tech and life science companies.

Deputy Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund Roger Havenith, managing ETCI, said: “As we celebrate ETCI’s one-year anniversary, we are thrilled to announce these first four investments that will generate more than €5 billion for the European tech ecosystem. Together, we will drive innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and position the European Union as a hub for technology and growth. Special recognition goes, of course, to the Member States that believed in this ambitious initiative from the outset and are supporting us in achieving real impact across Europe.”

FSI said: “We are honoured to have EIF as an anchor investor in our fund through this initiative to support an underserved part of the growing tech market in Europe. In most situations, without growth equity partners, tech leaders do not have the financial and strategic options to scale up their businesses and continue to invest in innovation and capabilities. We at FSI are dedicated to this segment and have already signed three exciting new investments in the sector to accelerate the growth of outstanding Italian companies, in partnership with families and institutions.”

Managing Partner at Keensight Capital Jean-Michel Beghin said: “We are thrilled the European Union is promoting the European technology sector and delighted to have been asked to bring our sector expertise to the table. European private equity as a whole is very engaged and invested in technology in its aim of creating value for communities and investors at the same time. At Keensight Capital, we enable entrepreneurs to fulfil their vision and we know that together, we can make a notable difference in the development of the European technology sector.”

As the European Tech Champions Initiative celebrates its one-year milestone, it renews its commitment to nurturing Europe's tech ecosystem, fostering collaboration, and fuelling the growth of transformative ventures. Through strategic investments and partnerships, ETCI will continue empowering the next generation of European tech champions, shaping the digital future of Europe.

Background information

The European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI) is a programme dedicated to supporting technological innovation, driving growth, and fostering the development of Europe's tech ecosystem. Through strategic investments, partnerships, and mentorship, ETCI – managed by the European Investment Fund – aims to empower the next generation of European tech champions, shaping the future of technology and propelling Europe's digital transformation.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by helping them to access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, the EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth and employment.

Atomico invests in ambitious tech founders from seed through to IPO with a focus on Europe, leveraging deep operational experience to supercharge their growth. Founded in 2006, Atomico has partnered with over 100 ambitious teams – including those at Klarna, Supercell, MessageBird, Lilium, Aiven, Pipedrive, Factorial and job&talent. Atomico’s team of founders, investors and operational leaders have been responsible for global expansion, hiring and marketing at companies from Skype and Google to Twitter and Uber. The firm currently has $5 billion in assets under management.

Keensight Capital (“Keensight”), one of the leading European growth buyout firms, is committed to supporting entrepreneurs as they implement their growth strategies. For over 20 years, Keensight Capital’s team of seasoned professionals has leveraged their knowledge of investment and growth industries to invest for the long term in profitable companies with high growth potential and revenues in the range of €10 million to €400 million.

Drawing on its expertise in the technology and healthcare sectors, Keensight identifies the best investment opportunities in Europe and works closely with management teams to develop and achieve their strategic vision. Keensight Capital’s success has also earned it a Gold Award from the Private Equity Exchange & Awards each year for the last seven consecutive years, and in particular, the Best European Growth Private Equity Fund.

www.keensightcapital.com

FSI is a leading Italian investor with over €2 billion in growth capital, raised from major Italian, international and institutional investors. FSI’s investment policy focuses on investments in partnership with Italian entrepreneurs, corporates and institutions, targeting digital, technology and tech-enabled businesses. With its investments, FSI injects fresh third-party capital to boost significant scale-up of successful Italian mid-size businesses. Value creation is achieved through organic growth, acquisitions, and sector consolidation.

Press contacts

David Yormesor | yormesor@eib.org | tel. +352 248 58 1346

Serena Sertore | s.sertore@eib.org | tel.: +352 437 970 859

Website: www.eif.org/ | Press Office: +352 4379 21000 — press@eib.org