European Tech Champions Initiative
Europe has long faced a tech scale-up funding challenge. This flagship EIF initiative aims to change that, allowing the best European companies to stay and scale at home.
Building a self-sustaining ecosystem where European innovation can thrive
The European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI) is a fund-of-funds programme launched in 2023 by the EIB Group, in collaboration with six EU Member States: France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
ETCI is dedicated to supporting Europe’s venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) ecosystem to address the financing gap experienced by European technology scale-ups. It is designed to invest in large-scale VC and PE funds backing the most promising tech companies so that they can grow and compete globally.
Empowering growth and accelerating game-changing technologies
With up to €3.9 billion of initial resources, the first generation of the European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI 1) targets investments in c. 15 growth-stage VC and PE funds, aiming to mobilise over €20 billion of investments into innovative European scale-ups. ETCI 1-backed funds have already begun investing in sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, security, deep tech, life sciences, food tech among others, with early results showing strong momentum and pan-European impact.
Renewing our support for European scale-ups
Building on the success of ETCI 1, the EIB Group is shaping up for the second European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI 2.0) forming part of the EIB Group's TechEU platform - the EU's largest financing programme to support Europe’s best technology companies on their innovation and growth journey on home ground. In December 2025, the Boards of the EIF and EIB committed a total of €1.25 billion of their own funds to ETCI 2.0 with further fundraising and investments expected to launch in early 2026.
Data as of 30 June 2026
ETCI impact and key figures
From idea to reality
Hear the insights on how ETCI works from Uli Grabenwarter, Head of Equity Investments at the EIF.
Implementation milestones
From catalyst to scale
ETCI 1
Established pan-European fund-of-funds model
Supported the creation of 15 European mega funds managed by some of Europe's leading managers
Increased availability of large investment tickets for scale-ups
Contributed to the development of the European scale-up market
ETCI 2.0
Mobilisation of institutional investors to achieve scale
Diversification through combinations of mid-sized and mega funds
Potential benefits from favourable legislative treatment
EU focused geographic scope
New investment platform for deal sourcing and market insights
Boosting the growth of the European scale-up market
ETCI in the press
EIB Group powers up flagship investment instruments to boost Europe’s tech leadership and defence capabilities
The EIF invests €300 million in Seaya Growth Tech Fund to boost Europe’s technology scale ups under ETCI
EIB Group renews financing to boost Europe’s technological independence
The EIF invests €260 million in Jolt Capital V as anchor investor with support from ETCI
The EU scale-up financing gap in numbers
Are you a VC or PE fund investing in innovation?
If your target fund size is at least € 1 billion or above, you may be eligible for ETCI funding. Please submit your investment proposal via our standard application form, indicating your strategy and min. – max. fund size for further consideration.
ETCI portfolio companies
Here is a selection of companies already backed by ETCI through our fund partners across the EU - by the main sector of their activity.
More funding opportunities - including at the later stage of growth - mean companies can raise larger rounds in Europe to support product development, hiring, and international expansion. They can retain talent and compete more effectively on the global stage, realising their full potential within Europe.
