EU expands InvestEU funding for startups and transformative industries
New funding is expected to support clean technologies, digital innovation and high-growth businesses while strengthening Europe’s economic competitiveness.
The European Commission and the European Investment Bank Group have signed an agreement to add €22 billion in strategic financing to the InvestEU programme to support transformative investments in the EU economy.
The amendment follows the adoption of the Omnibus II Regulation and is intended to accelerate financing for priority sectors, including clean technologies, biotechnology, digital advancement and high-potential start-ups and scale-ups.
According to the EIB Group, the projects supported through the amendment are expected to generate a total financial impact of around €70 billion by the end of the current Multiannual Financial Framework. The wider Omnibus II package set a minimum target of €55 billion in additional public and private investment.
The expanded InvestEU programme is expected to benefit more than 130,000 small and medium-sized enterprises by improving access to finance and simplifying administrative procedures. The EIB said all SMEs supported under InvestEU will benefit from streamlined processes and reduced reporting requirements.
The amendment also lays the groundwork for a future InvestEU instrument under the next Multiannual Financial Framework, as part of the planned European Competitiveness Fund. The Commission and EIB said the expanded programme is intended to support Europe’s green and digital transitions, competitiveness and long-term economic resilience.
Why does it matter?
The agreement shows how the EU is using public guarantees and EIB Group financing to address investment gaps in strategic sectors. For digital policy, the relevant signal is the focus on digital advancement, high-growth start-ups and scale-ups, and technological sovereignty. Access to finance remains a central challenge for European companies trying to commercialise and scale technologies in areas such as digital infrastructure, advanced industry and deep tech.
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