The European Investment Bank (EIB) is launching Space TechEU, its first dedicated financing program for Europe’s space industry, the Bank announced at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Council of Ministers meeting in Bremen. The new initiative aims to unlock €500 million in EIB financing and pull in an estimated €1.4 billion in total investment by working with commercial banks.
The program will target companies across the space sector—from satellite design and rocket manufacturing to ground infrastructure, data applications, and services like navigation, telecoms, and climate monitoring. Small and mid-sized companies, which often struggle to get bank loans, will be a key focus.
EIB will offer credit lines and guarantees to partner banks across the EU, while ESA will provide technical know-how and sector expertise to help lenders better understand the space market.
“This program gives banks the tools and confidence to increase their financing for space companies across Europe,” said Robert de Groot, EIB Vice President. “We’re backing a strong, globally competitive European space industry—one that boosts autonomy, prosperity, and security.”
The initiative builds on a partnership agreed last year between the EIB Group, ESA, and the European Commission to improve access to finance, speed up innovation, and support cutting-edge tech development. At the launch event, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, and representatives from three major European banks highlighted the importance of dedicated space financing to accelerate investment.
Many space firms, especially smaller ones, face funding challenges partly because banks don’t know the sector well. Space TechEU aims to close that gap by offering technical support, building market knowledge, and promoting the program to companies less familiar with commercial finance. The program will work alongside existing EU space initiatives, making sure Europe’s strategic goals are matched with the right financing.
Eligible projects include satellite and rocket work, ground systems, and space-enabled tech for agriculture, maritime navigation, resource management, and other data-driven applications. Other space-related investments can also be considered.
