A new partnership between Deutsche Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB) is set to mobilize €560 million in investment specifically for European SpaceTech. This financial injection is designed to help businesses scale operations, bring new technologies to market, and reinforce Europe's independent space capabilities. The funds will directly support companies throughout the space supply chain, ranging from component manufacturers and launch technology developers to providers of satellite applications and in-orbit services.
Nicola Beer, Vice-President of the EIB, stated that this collaboration aims to unlock investment across Germany and the wider continent. By backing specific companies, supply chains, and technologies, the partnership seeks to make Europe's space sector stronger, more competitive, and ready for expansion. Marc Mueller, Global Head of Trade Finance & Lending at Deutsche Bank, emphasized that Europe possesses the engineering talent to lead in space, noting that this joint effort provides the long-term financing necessary for businesses to invest, expand production, and compete internationally.
The agreement was finalized ahead of the European Space Agency (ESA) Space Investor Forum in Munich and builds upon existing cooperation between the EIB and ESA. The ESA contributes market intelligence and sector expertise to help develop financing solutions tailored to the needs of space SMEs and Mid-Caps. Additionally, the initiative facilitates outreach to potential beneficiaries within the European space ecosystem. This operation is part of Space TechEU, a dedicated EIB financing program launched in November 2025 that aims to mobilize an estimated €1.4 billion through commercial banking partners.
The financing will have a pan-European reach, with approximately half of the investment expected to be directed toward Germany and the remainder distributed across other EU member states. Supported technologies include reusable launchers, spacecraft, advanced propulsion systems, satellite manufacturing, and Earth observation tools. These innovations underpin critical services such as communications, navigation, wildfire detection, pollution monitoring, and security. The partnership addresses the challenges space businesses face regarding long development cycles and complex technologies by offering flexible financing structures to commercially viable companies.
This announcement follows a series of significant SpaceTech financing events across Europe in 2026. In Germany alone, Munich-based The Exploration Company secured €387 million, HyImpulse Technologies raised over €50 million, ATMOS Space Cargo attracted €25.7 million, and deltaVision received €10.2 million. Elsewhere, Finland's ICEYE raised €450 million in primary funding, Spain's PLD Space extended its Series C to €288 million, and France's UNIVITY secured €27 million. Alongside further announcements involving AIRMO, Hydrosat, and Arkadia Space, these independent financings exceeded €1.3 billion.
Robert de Groot, another EIB Vice-President, highlighted that the partnership will enable companies to invest in the technologies and production capacity needed to scale up globally, thereby strengthening Europe's autonomous delivery of essential space services. Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, added that while Europe has a growing number of space companies with outstanding technologies ready to scale, ensuring access to capital is the next critical step for their success.
Sources: EU-Startups.