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Our markets and impact

The EIF monitors developments in SME financing markets and assesses the impact of its activities through research, analysis, and publications. Follow our work and latest reports here. 

Market assessment and research 

EIF Market Assessent and Research (MAR) focuses on applied research and market analysis to support the organisation's strategic decision-making, product development, and mandate management. MAR works as an internal advisor, it participates in international fora and maintains liaison with many organisations and institutions. The EIF microdata access is subject to the policy below.

Impact assessment

EIF Impact Assessment (IA) supports our transition to an impact-driven institution by designing and implementing a comprehensive impact & additionality assessment framework. Using large-scale micro-data and advanced econometric methods, it analysis the medium- and long-term outcomes of EIF’s activities.

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Our recent reports

Key studies and publications are typically shared through the EIF Working Paper series, authored or co-authored by EIF experts - sometimes in co-operation with external partners, including leading European academic institutions. The series is published in English.

EIF Equity Barometer Survey Q2 2026

This EIF Equity Barometer Survey issue shows that in Q2 2026, market perceptions rebounded after the Q1 setback. All sentiment indicators improved, with several returning to – or exceeding – the levels recorded at the end of 2025. Expectations also strengthened across all surveyed dimensions. However, fundraising remains difficult, exits are still fragile and geopolitical uncertainty continues to weigh on the market. The results therefore point to a recovery in sentiment, but one whose resilience and breadth will be tested in the coming quarters. This edition of the EIF Equity Barometer also zooms in AI investing, identifying key opportunities but also some of the greatest investors' concerns.

EIF Equity Barometer Survey Q1 2026
The VC factor: Skills edition

Did you know?

Our TrackVC knowledge hub and data portal - launched in 2025 in further collaboration with BlackRock - provide insights and resources to enhance the availability and accessibility of European PE and VC data, including 20 years of aggregated, historical performance.

Discover it here

Chart of the month

Road to VC: education pathways, by gender

The fourth and latest edition of our flagship publication The VC Factor examines how Europe’s VC ecosystem is evolving and explores the skills trends shaping it. Through a new skills lens, the report maps the educational backgrounds of investors and founders across the European venture capital landscape.

Our chart of the month from The VC Factor shows that there is no single, privileged path into European VC. Across the ecosystem, most participants hold a degree, STEM backgrounds dominate and Master’s degrees are the most common qualification. At the same time, the chart highlights a striking gender imbalance: women in the sample tend to have stronger academic credentials, with higher shares from top-ranked universities and PhD-level education, yet their representation in the VC industry remains very low.

More about this series

The EIF VC Factor research reports - published in co-operation with Invest Europe - explore key trends, dynamics, and structural drivers shaping the EU venture capital ecosystem. Our series leverages data-driven analysis and applied research. By doing so, the reports provide deeper insights into the VC markets, and aim to highlight the important role of policy in shaping the development of our ecosystem.