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Cyprus Backs €80 Billion European Tech Investment Initiative

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Cyprus has formally endorsed the second phase of the European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI 2.0), joining all EU member states in backing an investment programme expected to mobilise up to €80 billion for high-growth European technology companies.

The announcement followed the initiative’s presentation in Brussels last week on the sidelines of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting, where the EIB Group, EU governments, institutional investors and fund managers confirmed their support.

A Push To Close Europe’s Late-Stage Funding Gap

According to the finance ministry, Cyprus’ participation reflects its commitment to strengthening Europe’s innovation ecosystem and improving access to growth capital.

ETCI 2.0 is designed to address Europe’s long-standing shortage of late-stage funding for technology companies seeking to scale internationally.

The programme aims to raise €15 billion, around four times the size of the original fund launched in 2023, with the potential to unlock as much as €80 billion in investment for more than 1,500 European scale-ups. Its final size will be confirmed following the first closing process in the second half of 2026.

Building On The First Phase’s Results

The European Investment Bank Group is expected to contribute up to €1.25 billion from its own resources, according to the official announcement.

The second phase builds on the original ETCI programme, which supported 15 major investment funds and helped foster the creation of 12 European unicorns, companies valued at more than €1 billion.

Under the expanded structure, ETCI 2.0 will continue backing large technology funds while also extending support to mid-sized growth funds above €300 million for the first time.

The programme is expected to support the creation of more than 100 investment funds, including up to 45 mega-funds focused on scale-ups, with average investment tickets of about €200 million per company.

A New Platform For Cross-Border Capital

In addition to capital deployment, the initiative will establish a pan-European investment platform designed to connect investors with technology funds across the continent. The digital tool is intended to improve access to opportunities, market data and ecosystem insights.

The initiative is already backed by private institutional investors and asset managers, including Danske Bank, Banco Santander, BBVA, Azimut Holding and Green Arrow Capital, with further investors expected to join later.

The programme is set to complement national and European initiatives such as France’s Tibi initiative, Germany’s WIN programme and the Scaleup Europe Fund, with the broader goal of creating a more integrated European investment ecosystem.

Cyprus Welcomes The Initiative

Finance Minister Makis Keravnos described ETCI 2.0 as an important step towards strengthening European innovation, competitiveness and strategic resilience.

“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 said.

EIB Group President Nadia Calviño said the programme would help close Europe’s scale-up funding gap, allowing innovative companies to grow without relocating outside the continent. She noted that the first phase supported the creation of 15 investment funds and 12 unicorns within two years, providing the foundation for the expanded initiative.

Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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