Luxembourg Future Fund 2 Increases Investment in VIVES IUF to Boost European Innovation and Startup Ecosystem

Luxembourg Future Fund 2 Increases Investment in VIVES IUF to Boost European Innovation and Startup Ecosystem

(IN BRIEF) The Luxembourg Future Fund 2 (LFF 2) has invested an additional €5 million in the VIVES Inter-University Fund (IUF), raising the fund’s total to €75 million. VIVES IUF is an early-stage science-based fund that supports startups and spin-offs, connecting academic research with public and private investors. The investment reinforces Luxembourg’s role in fostering innovation across sectors such as health, agriculture, and technology. The initiative also strengthens Luxembourg’s startup ecosystem, which includes over 500 companies and multiple incubators, promoting economic diversification and sustainable development.

(PRESS RELEASE) LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE/LUXEMBOURG, 10-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Luxembourg Future Fund 2 (LFF 2) has strengthened its commitment to advancing innovation in Europe by investing an additional €5 million in the VIVES Inter-University Fund (IUF). This latest contribution brings VIVES’ total funding to €75 million, well above the fund’s original target, underscoring the confidence in VIVES’ role as a key player in Europe’s early-stage investment landscape.

VIVES IUF is a science-based early-stage fund that bridges academic research with public and private investors, creating opportunities for startups and spin-offs in sectors such as health, agriculture, industry, and technology transfer. With this additional funding, VIVES aims to further boost innovation across its inter-regional ecosystem, particularly in Luxembourg, where its long-standing relationship with the startup ecosystem continues to drive growth.

The Luxembourg economy is home to a vibrant startup ecosystem, with over 500 companies operating in diverse sectors including FinTech, CleanTech, HealthTech, and cybersecurity. VIVES, along with its partnership with incubators such as Technoport, is well-positioned to support new ventures in this space, helping to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies.

Eva Kremer, CEO of SNCI, emphasized the importance of this partnership in fostering innovation: “We are confident that VIVES will play a vital role in promoting the growth and diversity of Luxembourg’s economy by encouraging the rise of new, innovative businesses.”

Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of the EIF, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the fund’s focus on transforming scientific breakthroughs into impactful market solutions: “Through our partnership with VIVES, we look forward to investing in startups that will shape the future of Europe’s innovation ecosystem.”

This new investment positions VIVES IUF as a significant contributor to the sustainable development of Luxembourg’s economy while also expanding its influence across the broader Benelux and European startup scene.

About SNCI

The Société Nationale de Crédit et d’Investissement (SNCI) is a public banking institution that specializes in medium and long-term financing for Luxembourg-based companies. It supports businesses at every stage of their development through loans to partially cover the financing of their startup, expansion, transfer or innovation plans. The SNCI also acquires and manages holdings in companies and investment funds that are strategically important for the development and diversification of Luxembourg’s economy.

www.snci.lu

About EIF

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is a financial institution within the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group). Its main mission is to promote European micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by supporting their access to finance and venture capital. The EIF is also active in encouraging climate and infrastructure fund investments with a strong focus on environmental sustainability. In this role, the EIF pursues the objectives of the European Union to strengthen innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth and employment.

www.eif.org

About VIVES IUF

Initiated by UCLouvain and managed by VIVES Partners, VIVES IUF plays a pivotal role in connecting academic research and innovative projects with public and private investors. Addressing the seed funding gap, VIVES IUF serves as a catalyst for transforming academic research and start-ups into viable, high-impact ventures. Notably, VIVES II portfolio companies have raised approximately €1.5 billion ($1.6bn) in financing, demonstrating VIVES ability to transform early-stage companies from pre-seed funding into series A/B and IPOs/trade sales. VIVES holds an impressive track record in employment creation, with VIVES II, VIVES IUF’s previous fund, contributing to the creation of 600 full-time equivalent jobs.

www.vivesfund.com

Media Contacts:

VIVES:
Philippe Durieux (CEO)
Tel: + 32 472 20 63 55

EIB:
Sabine Parisse
s.parisse@eib.org
tel. +352 4379_83340
gsm +352 621459159
media relations : press@bei.org

EIF:
Andrew Lloyd & Associates
saffiyah@ala.associates / juliette@ala.associates
UK + 44 1273 952 481
US + 1 203 724 5950

SOURCE: European Investment Fund