European Innovation Council (EIC) Summit 2025 unfolded with high energy, impactful announcements, and thought-provoking conversations that solidified Europe’s position as a rising force in global deep tech. From celebrating trailblazing women in innovation to announcing over €1 billion in equity investments via the EIC Fund, the 2-day event underscored the transformative role of collaboration, bold policymaking, and inclusive growth in shaping the continent’s innovation landscape. Our team from the Financial Division was present and here are some important takeaways from this future-forward event:
Collaboration as the catalyst for innovation
Building Europe’s innovation community
The summit highlighted the need to strengthen ties across Europe’s fragmented innovation landscape. Attendees—from founders and researchers to policymakers and corporate leaders—were actively encouraged to network, engage, and form partnerships that transcend borders and sectors.
From connections to ecosystems
Conversations emphasized that building a truly European innovation ecosystem starts with open dialogue, cross-sector alliances, and mutual support among stakeholders. Whether through formal programs or informal encounters, the message was clear: we innovate better together.
Positioning Europe as a global deep tech leader
Strategic sovereignty in innovation
Europe has the talent, the science, and now the ambition to lead in deep tech. Discussions centered on how the EIC is rapidly becoming Europe’s flagship investor in breakthrough innovation, with the tools and network to position the EU as a global tech powerhouse.
Policy with purpose
Policymakers and innovators explored how regulation, public investment, and business incentives must work hand in hand to accelerate technology leadership in areas like AI, quantum computing, climate tech, and health innovation.
EIC investment milestone: over €1 billion in equity
The Commission announced that the EIC Fund has now deployed over €1 billion in equity investments, supporting more than 270 deep tech start-ups. Co-investments with over 600 private partners have mobilized an additional €2.6 billion, making the EIC Europe’s most active deep tech investor.
This milestone was hailed as a critical step toward closing the funding gap with other global players and crowding in more private capital to scale homegrown champions like IQM (Finland), .lumen (Romania), and Alice & Bob (France).
Participants emphasized that the EIC must continue to take smart risks—funding bold, high-impact ideas, not just safe bets. The ability to catalyze Europe’s next generation of unicorns depends on it.
Celebrating women in innovation
The spotlight turned to gender equality with the announcement of this year’s Women Innovator Prize winners, recognizing exceptional female entrepreneurs driving change across sectors—from biotechnology and energy to digital health.
Only 9% of EU inventors are women, and fewer than one in ten deep tech companies have a woman in a senior role. The summit reaffirmed that gender-inclusive innovation isn't just good ethics—it’s smart economics. Increasing female participation could boost EU GDP by up to €800 billion by 2050.
Tackling systemic barriers to growth
Regulatory Complexity
The Summit didn’t shy away from addressing persistent hurdles. Entrepreneurs called for simplified, harmonized EU-wide regulations—starting with the proposed 28th regime, a fast-track legal structure for startups operating across borders.
Access to Data
With AI advancement dependent on access to high-quality data, debates focused on how to balance privacy, IP rights, and the need for interoperable digital infrastructure. The concept of “sovereign AI” and air-gapped systems was proposed as a way forward.
The road ahead for the EIC
Scaling with purpose
With over €6 billion invested, 150+ companies funded, and new initiatives like the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) gaining traction, the EIC is poised to scale its reach and impact even further.
Procurement as a growth driver
A recurring recommendation was to leverage public procurement to unlock demand for deep tech solutions, enabling early-stage companies to scale faster and de-risk their go-to-market strategies.
💡 Key Takeaways
Collaboration is non-negotiable: Ecosystem growth requires active relationship-building across geographies and sectors.
Europe must lead in deep tech: With strategic funding, policy alignment, and bold execution, Europe can own the next wave of innovation.
Investment must be ambitious: The EIC Fund’s €1B milestone is just the beginning; smart, risk-tolerant capital is essential.
Diversity fuels innovation: Empowering women innovators is key to unlocking untapped talent and building inclusive growth.
Simplify to scale: Reducing bureaucracy and improving access to data and finance will accelerate innovation at scale.
Use the power of procurement: Governments can be first customers and catalysts for breakthrough technologies.
As the curtains closed on EIC Summit 2025, the message was clear: Europe has what it takes—not just to catch up, but to lead. Now is the time to act boldly, think collaboratively, and scale smartly. The summit was not just an event; it was a call to action.
The future of deep tech in Europe starts now.
