An idea, a prototype, a reality

Keeping you up to date with our recent activities in Europe and around the world.

EIB at a glance

La forza delle donne – Helping female entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams
A woman dreams of starting a small business, but first she needs financing. This dream can become a reality thanks to a pilot project offering loans to innovative businesswomen in Italy.

Why some companies fail to innovate
Christoph Weiss, an economist at the EIB, explains why some young, small firms in the European Union do no research or innovation. A grant from the public sector is one solution presented in a paper written with the KU Leuven University in Belgium and the European Central Bank.

A retired Finnish soccer player has a new idea
Petteri Viljanen is the chief executive of BCB Medical, which analyses tissue samples for doctors. His company is one of the small businesses that received financing backed by the European Investment Fund.

EIB Climate survey: local vs. global climate investment. What do citizens favour?
35% of Europeans believe their countries should spend money helping developing countries fight climate change, while 33% say countries should tackle their own climate change problems, rather than spending money elsewhere.

European elections May 2019: This time I’m voting
It's not enough to just hope for a better future. This time we all need to take responsibility for it. So we're not just asking you to vote, we're also asking you to persuade others to vote. When everybody votes, everybody wins.

The Investment Plan for Europe at a glance

A Swedish shower from space makes every drop count
Some people get their ideas in the shower. Mehrdad Mahdjoubi has a great idea for a shower. Here’s how space travel helped him create his innovative technology that saves water.

See it on the map
Take a look at a selection of projects that show how the Investment Plan for Europe is making the European Union more competitive.

The latest results
The Investment Plan for Europe continues to mobilise investment to boost the European economy in a sustainable way.

The European Investment Fund at a glance

Helping culture and creativity in Denmark
A European Investment Fund deal with Vaekstfonden is giving more money to creative activities in design, visual arts, books, music and architecture.

Technology transfer: How does this work?
The EIF invests about EUR 200 million a year in technology transfer funds and initiatives. Check out this video to learn how the right financing helps ideas go from the lab to a prototype and then to the market.

500 Spanish entrepreneurs will get loans to focus on inclusion, poverty and the environment
An agreement with MicroBank will target start-ups and companies focusing on social issues and worker inclusion, care for the disabled, poverty and social exclusion, intercultural activities and environmental protection.

Latest publications

The Advisory Hub in 2017: Yielding results

The EIB in Asia and the Pacific

For 25 years, the European Investment Bank has supported economic development in Asia and the Pacific region with projects such as a new metro line in Bangalore, cleaner energy for western Nepal and forestry projects that fight climate change in China.

The digitalisation of small businesses in Ireland

Ireland is one of the most digitalised countries in the world. While big, international companies are leading the way in digitalisation, the small businesses that dominate the Irish economy are falling behind and need to become a core part of a digital transformation plan.

Győr: How to compete with capital cities

Located between three European capital cities, Győr has to work hard to attract investment and jobs. The Hungarian city is luring innovative companies through education-based innovation, a high-quality urban environment and a lively culture.