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The Fund is now able to operate at full capacity, investing directly in Europe’s leading scaleup companies
The Scaleup Fund’s Launch
Eléonore Scaramozzino, Avocate CONSTELLATION AVOCATS
The Scaleup Europe Fund is a new, multi-billion late-stage and growth fund aimed at investing in the most promising European companies in strategic tech areas, such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, semiconductor technologies, robotics and autonomous systems, energy technologies, space technologies, biotechnologies, medical technologies, advanced materials, and agritech, and across all parts of Europe.
As a cornerstone of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the Scaleup Europe Fund is the largest fund of its kind ever mobilised in Europe.The EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy proposes a comprehensive set of actions to make the EU the best place in the world to launch and grow technology-driven innovative companies. It supports startups throughout their lifecycle – from launch to growth to maturity – helping innovators, founders and investors to Choose Europe.With its “whole-of-government” drive, the Strategy will eliminate barriers and align incentives through 26 concrete actions across 5 key areas:
- Infrastructure & Networks : provide access to infrastructure, tech hubs and services
- innovation-friendly environment – Simplify regulations, reduce barriers.
- better financing – Improve access to funding
- fast market uptake & expansion – Help startups scale across the EU and globally
- top talent attraction – Ease visa processes, support entrepreneurial talent
The Fund will also help address the increasing dominance of foreign investors in large funding rounds, thereby reducing risks such as strategic dependency, company relocation, foreign control, and talent outflow. The objecitive of SEF is notably to retrain strategic assets in Europe and create a sustainable deep-tech ecosystem. The SFE is a concrete delivery of the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass and a direct response to the Draghi Report’s call for Europe to close its deep-tech financing gap. The SEF combines private and public funding to support European companies through a market-based approach, without controlling market outcomes.
The founding investor group brings together a strong coalition of public and private partners. Further fundraising will continue with the aim of reaching a target of €5 billion. The European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund Board has chosen EQT as the preferred investment adviser and fund manager for the Scaleup Europe Fund. EQT is a global leader in growth equity. The European Commission is a founding investor of the Scaleup Europe Fund, alongside other private investors. As such, the European Commission will participate on equal terms with the other investors and have a corresponding representation in the Fund’s governance structure. The European Commission has committed to contribute EUR 1 billion to the fund. The EU’s investment in the Fund is backed by Horizon Europe.
The selection of investee companies will be conducted through an open, transparent, and merit-based process in line with the Investment Guidelines. SEF is open to companies located in or intending to locate to any EU Member State or countries associated with Pillar III of Horizon Europe, which are developing strategic technologies and seeking major investment amounts in growth and scaleup stages.
Interaction between the SEF and existing EIC financing Instruments :
« When Europe invests in its innovators, Europe invests in its future. This is the goal of our Scaleup Europe Fund. From today, it will ensure our scale-ups can find what they need right here in Europe to grow into world-leading companies. To turn European innovation into our competitive edge. »
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission – 04/08/2026
« Today’s announcement marks a change in the investment landscape for European technology companies. With the Scaleup Europe Fund we are building on Europe’s scientific prowess and strong performance in startups and closing the financing gap for our most promising companies to become global leaders while maintaining their base in Europe. The Scaleup Europe Fund also demonstrates
of what we can achieve in a short time when the Commission works hand in hand with leading private investors. »
Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation – 04/08/202