Find more funding
There are many other organisations who may be offering funding that will help you, and our handy funding search tool brings them all together.
€5 Billion Scaleup Europe Fund Set to Boost European Tech Growth
Multi billion Scaleup Europe Fund will provide major growth capital to European tech firms, supporting innovation, expansion and global competitiveness.
A major new investment vehicle aimed at helping Europe’s most promising technology companies scale globally is gathering momentum. The €5 billion Scaleup Europe Fund, launched at the European Innovation Council Summit in Brussels in June 2026, has been created to address the long-standing shortage of late-stage growth capital available to European startups.
The fund is designed to support technology businesses from Series B through to pre-IPO stages, helping them remain and grow within Europe rather than seeking large-scale investment from overseas. The European Commission has committed €1 billion to the initiative, with the remaining capital coming from private institutional investors. Significant backing has already been provided by organisations including Novo Holdings, the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark, Allianz, Santander and other major European investors.
Managed by Swedish investment firm EQT, the fund will operate on commercial terms rather than as a grant programme. Investment decisions will be made independently by EQT, with a focus on identifying high-growth businesses that demonstrate strong market potential, innovative technology and a clear path to global leadership.
Investment priorities include strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, robotics, clean energy, space technology, biotechnology, medical innovation and advanced industrial systems. Typical investments are expected to exceed €100 million per company, with the fund taking direct equity stakes and potentially active roles on company boards.
Eligible businesses must be based in, or planning to establish operations within, an EU member state or another country associated with the Horizon Europe programme. While discussions continue regarding potential participation by UK-based firms, no final arrangements have been confirmed.
Although the fund is still completing its launch process, EQT has already identified more than 1,000 potential investment targets and is actively monitoring over 125 companies. Reports also suggest the fund may be in discussions regarding a significant investment in French AI company Mistral AI, which could become its first major deal.
The Scaleup Europe Fund is expected to begin announcing investments later in 2026 and is widely viewed as one of the most ambitious efforts yet to strengthen Europe’s technology ecosystem and retain high-growth companies on the continent.
More info: https://www.vestbee.com/insights/articles/the-5b-scaleup-europe-fund-what-we-know
Main image: Canva
