Scaleup Europe Fund 2026: Europe’s €5 Billion Growth Fund for High-Potential Deep Tech Companies
Overview
The Scaleup Europe Fund (SEF) is a €5 billion late-stage and growth investment fund for European technology companies in strategic sectors. It is backed by the European Commission and a group of large institutional investors and forms part of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the 2025 State of the Union Address. The fund targets companies that have already shown strong growth potential and are ready to expand internationally, so that they can scale without moving outside Europe for capital.
What the fund covers
Priority sectors are artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, semiconductors, robotics and autonomous systems, energy technologies, space technologies, biotechnology, medical technologies, advanced materials and agritech. The fund supports eligible companies across EU Member States and other European regions taking part in the programme. It aims to give large-scale growth capital, access to long-term strategic investors and better chances of remaining headquartered in Europe.
Structure and investors
The fund operates under the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund umbrella but is managed through a privately owned, market-based structure. EQT was selected as preferred investment adviser and fund manager after a competitive international process. Founding investors alongside the Commission include Novo Holdings, EIFO, CriteriaCaixa, Santander and Mouro Capital, Fondazione Compagnia San Paolo, Intesa Sanpaolo, Fondazione Cariplo, APG Asset Management on behalf of Dutch pension fund ABP, Wallenberg Investments and Allianz.
Who may benefit
The fund targets high-growth European technology companies, late-stage startups and scaleups with strong innovation potential, significant growth prospects, strategic importance and the ability to scale internationally. Detailed investment eligibility criteria are expected from the fund manager as operations begin.
Key dates
Legal agreements and investor commitments were being finalised. The fund and its management team were to be presented at the EIC Summit on 3 June 2026, and the first investments are expected in autumn 2026.