**Cyprus Backs €80 Billion European Technology Investment Drive**
Cyprus has officially joined the second phase of the European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI 2.0), a significant European investment program aimed at mobilizing €80 billion to support over 1,500 rapidly growing technology companies across the continent. The declaration endorsing this initiative was signed by Cyprus alongside 20 other EU member states, including Greece, during a recent presentation in Brussels.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting, where representatives from the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, along with finance ministers from the participating member states, gathered to discuss the initiative's objectives and framework.
ETCI 2.0 builds upon the success of its predecessor, the original European Tech Champions Initiative, which facilitated the establishment of 15 major investment funds and contributed to the emergence of 12 European unicorns—companies valued at over €1 billion. The new phase seeks to raise at least €15 billion, which is approximately four times the size of the original fund launched in 2023. The EIB Group has committed to contributing up to €1.25 billion from its own resources to support this ambitious goal.
One of the notable expansions in this phase is the initiative's commitment to supporting mid-sized growth funds, which will now include funds exceeding €300 million. Overall, the program aims to establish more than 100 investment funds, including up to 45 large funds that will invest an average of €200 million per company.
A key feature of ETCI 2.0 is the creation of a new European investment platform designed to connect investors with technology funds across Europe. This platform will utilize a dedicated digital tool to facilitate these connections, enhancing the accessibility of capital for innovative companies.
During the presentation, EIB Group President Nadia Calvino emphasized the importance of the initiative in providing European innovators with the necessary capital to grow. "This is a decisive step to ensure that innovative companies created in Europe remain and thrive in Europe," she stated. Calvino highlighted that the success of the first phase laid a solid foundation for the expanded program, which now unites all 27 EU member states along with private investors.
Calvino articulated the ambitious goals of ETCI 2.0, which include quadrupling the total capital mobilized, significantly increasing the number of investment funds, and tripling both the number of mega funds and the average investment per company compared to the initial phase.
Finance Minister Makis Keravnos represented Cyprus at the initiative's presentation and expressed strong support for ETCI 2.0. He described the initiative as a crucial step toward enhancing Europe’s innovation, competitiveness, and technological sovereignty. "By bringing together public and private resources, the initiative will support the growth of Europe’s most dynamic technology companies and help them expand internationally while keeping their base in Europe," Keravnos remarked.
The Finance Minister also underscored Cyprus's commitment to this collective effort, which aims to strengthen European capital markets, promote greater private investment, and enhance strategic resilience within the European Union.
As Europe continues to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving technological landscape, the ETCI 2.0 initiative represents a concerted effort to bolster the continent's position as a global leader in innovation and technology. By mobilizing significant financial resources and fostering collaboration among member states and private investors, the initiative aims to create a robust ecosystem that supports the growth of technology companies across Europe.