European Investment Fund (EIF)

That’s a wrap on #UglyDuck2025! Our 5th edition flipped the script, bringing together 550+ fund managers to explore what European risk capital can achieve beyond returns. From innovation to sustainability, security to competitiveness, and impact to communication, the conversations were bold, honest, and outcome-driven. Next up: The first Ugly Duck Playbook, capturing insights and actions for investors, regulators, and policymakers ready to back what drives real change.

🚨EIB Group Boards of Directors approve €9.2 billion to boost housing innovation, energy security and healthcare across Europe   Key highlights:   🔵 A first-of-its-kind €400 million HousingTech initiative, supporting advanced materials, engineering, and innovation in construction to make housing more affordable and sustainable. This new initiative supports the EIB Group’s Action Plan for Affordable and Sustainable Housing, which targets over €4 billion in investment by 2025.   🔵 European Investment Fund (EIF) investment in Europe’s first paediatrics venture capital fund, driving innovation in child healthcare and supporting Europe’s life sciences ecosystem.   🔵 EIB Board engagement with civil society organisations, focusing on global partnerships, lending in Ukraine, and cooperation with other multilateral development banks.   👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/diXknHrt

“All of us dream of flying.” In Osijek, Croatia, that dream became Orqa FPV, where a small team turned a hobby into cutting-edge drone technology and is driving innovation in robotics across Europe. Supported by the European Investment Fund (EIF) through the #InvestEU programme, Orqa shows how world-class innovation can take off anywhere in Europe. From FPV drones to robotics applications, their technology is redefining how Europe builds, sees and moves, and inspiring the next generation of European innovators.

Optimism is returning to European venture capital!✨ Behind the numbers, our #EIFEquitySurvey2025 shows a more confident outlook for investors and founders across Europe. Fundraising and exits remain challenging, but the mood is changing fast. Europe’s innovation ecosystem stands out for its talent, creativity and ambition. The comparison with the US highlights how crucial scale-up financing and stronger exit routes are for Europe’s competitiveness. Through initiatives like #TechEU and #ETCI, we’re helping Europe’s innovators grow stronger, scale faster and stay global. 👉 Swipe through the carousel to see the key insights.

At the Ugly Duck 2025, one message stood out: it’s time to tell a different story about European risk capital. Not just about returns, but about outcomes. About the resilience we build and the impact we create together. Thank you to everyone who joined, shared insights, and challenged ideas. See you next year! #UglyDuck2025

Strengthening Europe’s venture and growth capital ecosystem is essential for scaling innovative companies.💫 We welcome the EU Economy and Finance new study identifying barriers and opportunities to improve access to finance across the 🇪🇺.

Did you know that women hold only 14% of top positions in venture capital firms across Europe? What do you think are the barriers holding back gender balance? #EmpoweringEquity

What a powerful day at Empowering Equity 2025! Together, we shared ideas, stories, and strategies — all driven by one common goal: advancing gender equality in European finance. Thank you to everyone who made today a day of progress, purpose, and possibility. #EmpoweringEquity #EIF

This week, two key events will highlight our ongoing commitment to both innovation and inclusion:   Ugly Duck 2025 Our annual venture capital gathering brings together 550+ emerging and established fund managers from across Europe – from cleantech to deeptech, life sciences and beyond. Together, we’ll exchange insights, discuss market trends, and identify the levers needed to drive the ecosystem forward.   Empowering Equity Women remain underrepresented in European private equity and venture capital. Through Empowering Equity, the EIF champions a more inclusive ecosystem creating pathways for diverse founders and fund managers to thrive.   Tune in as we continue to shape a more innovative, equitable, and resilient European investment landscape. #EIF #VentureCapital #EmpoweringEquity #PrivateEquity #UglyDuck25

When diversity becomes part of the structure, not just the slogan, the whole financial ecosystem benefits.   The EIB Group has just released its new ‘Debt Financing for Gender Equality in the EU’ report. This 2025 mapping study offers a deep dive into how financial institutions across Europe are backing women-owned businesses.   The findings? There’s clear progress, with 𝟵𝟱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 already on the market — some designed specifically for women-led companies, others making female entrepreneurship a key target group. But there’s still huge untapped potential to go further.   And the study sets out some clear steps to make that happen: 🔹 Collect and use sex-disaggregated data 🔹 Apply common, internationally recognised definitions for women-owned and women-led businesses 🔹 Tailor financial products to local markets and real needs 🔹 Pair finance with mentoring, training, and networks 🔹 Build partnerships that extend reach and impact 🔹 Communicate in ways that connect   Read the full study, here: https://lnkd.in/e6WrCr2C #InvestEU #EIBAdvisory European Investment Bank (EIB); European Microfinance Network; FEBEA - European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers Rafael de Castro Alves; Georgiana Buturoiu; Andrea Bratu; Simone Petrillo; Juana Medus Cristina Dumitrescu; Silvia Manca; Carmen Vera García; Minerva Elias Franquesa