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 the most promising tech companies to grow and compete globally.
Empowering growth and accelerating game-changing technologies
With up to €3.9 billion, 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.
ETCI contributing countries
ETCI partners
From idea to reality
Hear the insights on how ETCI works from Uli Grabenwarter, Head of Equity Investments at the EIF.
Data as at mid-December 2025
ETCI 1 progress and impact
Funds backed by ETCI 1
ETCI 1 funding targets all tech and innovation-focused sectors with both generalist and specialised funds among our partners. Meet some of the ETCI 1 investee funds here.
Key steps and milestones
ETCI in the press
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
EIF is joining AVP as an anchor investor for its €1.5bn growth fund
EIB Group showcases progress ETCI boosting European scaleups at event in Madrid
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
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.
Here is a selection of companies already backed by ETCI through our fund partners across the EU - by the main sector of their activity.