Invest Europe in the Media – June 2026

June 2026 was our second-best month on record for earned media, with 51 editorial mentions highlighting the growing role of private equity, venture capital and infrastructure in Europe's competitiveness and innovation agenda.

Life sciences: a strategic priority for Europe

Media attention focused on the European Life Sciences Coalition, launched in association with Invest Europe, as more than 200 investors, companies and research organisations called on EU leaders to strengthen Europe's life sciences ecosystem and improve access to capital.

• Financial Times – "Out of drug money"

• Nordic Life Science – "Open letter from ELSC calling on EU leaders to make life sciences a strategic priority"

Mobilising institutional capital for Europe's innovators

A major theme throughout the month was the need to unlock more pension, insurance and long-term savings capital to finance European venture capital and scale-ups. Invest Europe data and policy recommendations featured prominently in discussions on the Savings & Investment Union and initiatives to strengthen Europe's innovation ecosystem.

• Handelsblatt – "Investors want to mobilise an additional €15bn for start-ups"

• Investment & Pensions Europe – "Invest Europe backs measures to boost pension fund allocations to venture capital"

European private capital continues to outperform

Coverage of Invest Europe's latest Performance Benchmark Report highlighted the long-term strength of European private markets, with venture capital outperforming North American peers over 10- and 15-year horizons and buyout, growth and infrastructure funds continuing to outperform public market benchmarks.

• Tech Funding News – "European VC has beaten US funds for 15 years. So why are European LPs still sending billions to a16z?"

• Impact Loop – "European VC funds are outperforming their US counterparts on total returns"

Central and Eastern Europe gathers momentum

Coverage across Poland and Romania highlighted record levels of private capital investment, growing venture capital activity and the increasing importance of mobilising domestic institutional investors to sustain the region's development.

• Forsal – "Poland received 39% of PE and VC investments across the CEE region"

• Ziarul Financiar – "Where did the money that supported the emergence and development of private equity funds come from"

New leadership for Invest Europe

Trade media also covered the appointment of Sander Slootweg, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Forbion, as Chair of Invest Europe for 2026–2027. Coverage highlighted his extensive venture capital experience and leadership at a time when Europe's competitiveness and innovation increasingly depend on a thriving private capital ecosystem.

• Real Deals – "Invest Europe appoints Chair for 2026–27 and board directors"

• Investment & Pensions Europe – "Invest Europe reshuffles boards of directors"

Find out more about the exclusive communication insights and resources on private equity (including listed), venture capital and infrastructure for Invest Europe members.