What is the InvestEU program?
The InvestEU program is the European Union's major funding initiative for the period 2021—2027, designed to mobilize public and private investment in areas that represent the continent's main strategic priorities: sustainability, innovation, digitalization and social cohesion.
Equipped with a budgetary guarantee of 26.2 billion euros, the program aims to mobilize more than 372 billion euros in new investments, generating employment, economic growth and a positive impact on Europe's ecological and digital transition.
In addition, InvestEU replaces and unifies numerous previous European financial instruments, simplifying access to finance for companies, startups, administrations and public or private entities.
The program is divided into Three great pillars:
- The InvestEU Fund
- The InvestEU Portal
- The InvestEU Advisory Center
Each one performs a specific but complementary function: the Fund drives funding, the Portal connects projects with investors, and the Advisory Center provides technical and strategic support.
1. The InvestEU Fund: funding to boost innovation and sustainability
El InvestEU Fund is the financial heart of the program. Through a guarantee of 26.2 billion euros from the EU budget, supports investments from financial partners, such as European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, national development banks and other international financial institutions, making it possible to assume greater risks and support projects that, without this support, could not materialize.
Objectives and benefits of the Fund
The Fund has a multiplier function: for every euro guaranteed by the EU, it is expected to mobilize around 14 euros in additional investment, reaching an estimated total of 372 billion euros during the period 2021—2027.
Its main benefits include:
- Supporting the EU's strategic priorities: promotion of economic recovery, the green and digital transition, and territorial and social cohesion.
- Simplification of processes: a single set of rules and procedures, with a central point of contact.
- Attracting private investment: through the European guarantee, risks are reduced and the participation of private investors is encouraged.
- Increased efficiency of public spending: the European guarantee amplifies the impact of public funds.
- Stronger investment environment in Europe: strengthens investor confidence and improves the competitiveness of the European market.
Four priority areas for investment
The InvestEU Fund is structured in four “windows” of politics, aligned with the priorities of the European Union:
- Sustainable infrastructures (9.900 M€):
It finances projects related to clean transport, renewable energy, energy efficiency, digital infrastructures, water management, circular economy or sustainable tourism. - Research, Innovation and Digitalization (6,600 M€):
It supports R&D activities, technology transfer, scaling of innovative startups and industrial digitalization. - SMEs and MidCaps (6.900 M€):
It facilitates access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, including those in the creative and cultural sector, or those with difficulties accessing credit. - Social and capacity investment (2,800 M€):
It promotes social inclusion, education, gender equality, health, affordable housing and skills training.
Who can benefit?
You can request support from the InvestEU Fund:
- Private companies (SMEs, MidCaps, corporations or startups).
- Public or mixed entities.
- Non-profit organizations.
- Public-private projects (PPP).
Applicants must demonstrate the economic viability of the project and its alignment with EU policy objectives.
Interested companies should contact the implementing partners of the program, such as the EIB or national development banks, or local financial intermediaries, which channel funding under the support of the European guarantee.
2. The InvestEU Portal: the platform that connects projects with investors
El InvestEU Portal Act like a digital meeting point between project promoters and investors from all over Europe and the rest of the world. It's a online database which collects quality investment opportunities within the EU, Norway and Iceland.
Purpose of the Portal
The Portal has a clear purpose: increasing the visibility of European projects and facilitate access to private finance.
For the promoters, is a free tool for presenting your initiatives and attracting potential interested investors.
For the investors, is a space where you can discover pre-evaluated projects in key sectors such as:
- Renewable energy and energy efficiency
- Sustainable transport
- Health and Biotechnology
- Digital infrastructure and broadband
- Social housing and circular economy
- Financing SMEs and technological innovation
Key benefits
- International visibility: registered projects are presented to a global network of investors.
- Ease of Use: the registration process is simple and guided step by step.
- Quality projects: only projects reviewed and shortlisted by the European Commission are published.
- Access to additional advice: projects can be automatically submitted to InvestEU Advisory Center or to the financial partners of the program.
El InvestEU Portal Continue the work of the previous one European Investment Project Portal (EIPP), but with a broader approach and a more intuitive and multilingual interface.
3. The InvestEU Advisory Center: technical and strategic support
El InvestEU Advisory Hub It's the centralized entry point for project developers, public authorities and financial intermediaries looking for technical assistance, consulting and strategic support in terms of investment.
Its mission is help transform ideas into bankable projects, strengthening the technical capacity of developers and increasing the quality of investments in Europe.
Key functions of the Center
- Project identification and preparation: helps to structure solid investment proposals aligned with European priorities.
- Development and support: supports the execution, tendering and implementation of complex projects.
- Capacity building: offers training and assistance to public and private entities to improve their access to finance.
- Market Gap Detection: advises on sectors with growth potential but funding difficulties.
The Center works in coordination with the InvestEU Fund And the InvestEU Portal, and replaces the previous thirteen centralized advisory programs, simplifying technical assistance under a single structure.
Who is it addressed to
The Center provides support to three types of beneficiaries:
- Private promoters of projects.
- Public Administrations national or local.
- Financial intermediaries and investment entities.
This support does not necessarily imply direct access to funding from the Fund, but it does make it easier for projects to arrive in better conditions at the available European calls or instruments.
Impact of the InvestEU program in Europe
The program InvestEU not only does it mobilize funding, but transforms the European economic structure. Some of its accomplishments and forecasts include:
- More than 95,000 million euros aimed at the industrial and digital transition.
- More than 32,000 MW of new installed renewable energy capacity.
- More than 8,500 social housing units built or rehabilitated.
- Casi 60,000 microfinance beneficiaries and 53,000 SMEs supported.
- 11.5 billion euros in strategic investments (critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, defense or space).
These data reflect how InvestEU is contributing to strengthening economic resilience, encouraging innovation and moving towards climate neutrality.
Why is it important for startups and innovative companies?
For startups, scaleups and technology companies, InvestEU represents a great opportunity for funding and visibility. Thanks to its structure, the program offers:
- Financing on favorable terms, often without the need for endorsements.
- Access to international investor networks through the InvestEU Portal.
- Expert support to structure solid and eligible projects.
- Complementarity with other European aid (such as Horizon Europe or the NextGenerationEU funds).
In addition, the Fund is designed to Leverage private capital and reduce perceived risk by investors, opening the door to new opportunities for public-private collaboration in innovation and sustainability.
A key tool for Europe's economic future
InvestEU it is much more than a financial instrument: it is the engine of European investment in the decade of ecological and digital transition.
With an integrated structure —Fund, Portal and Advisory Center—, the program offers a complete way for companies, investors and administrations to promote projects with a high social, technological and environmental impact.
For any European entity seeking international funding or collaboration, InvestEU represents a strategic opportunity to grow, innovate and contribute to a more sustainable and competitive future.
