Invested by Europe

Epizódok

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  Sometimes you just have to say, "Wow": Omar Qaise, OQ Technology 01.10.2026 32p

  Space is important for lots of economic and strategic reasons. But sometimes, while I've been researching this series, I just had to shake my head in wonder and say, "Wow." Because the technology is so amazing. Omar Qaise had a moment like that. He grew up in Baghdad dreaming of space, and went on to build OQ Technology, a Luxembourg-based company putting 5G directly into space and connecting ordinary smartphones and IoT devices to satellites the size of a shoebox, no special hardware required. In this episode, we visit Omar to hear how a boy from Iraq became the founder of a European company changing what connectivity means for the 80% of the world with no mobile coverage. Backed by the EIB, OQ Technology is now scaling from five satellites to fifty and beyond. The story of how Omar knew it was working is one you won't forget. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Satellites: The new infrastructure of...everything 29.09.2026 17p

  Satellites have become the invisible backbone of modern life, as essential as electricity or running water, yet almost entirely unnoticed. We explore how the next generation of satellite infrastructure is being built in Europe, connecting space to the phone in your pocket or the Internet of Things devices used by farmers in their fields. Featuring company founders and the institutions backing them, this is the story of how pressing a button in a small office in a European village changes the direction of a satellite in. space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Reflex Aerospace founder Walter Ballheimer: From blueprint to orbit, fast 25.09.2026 27p

  This was honestly one of the most fascinating interviews I did for this entire series. Walter Ballheimer founded Reflex Aerospace on a bold idea: the biggest problem in the satellite industry isn't getting to space, it's how long it takes. His Berlin-based company builds high-performance satellites in 12 to 18 months, when the rest of the industry needs three to five years. He's genuinely one of the most clear-sighted and original thinkers in the European space sector. Don't miss this episode.From the shifting balance between commercial and defence demand, to what it took to close the largest Series A in European space tech history, Walter gives a frank and fascinating account of what it means to build a hardware company in the New Space era. He makes the case that satellites are already the invisible backbone of modern life and that as autonomous vehicles, rural connectivity, and defence systems grow more dependent on them, the race to renew them faster will never stop.He also has encouraging things to say about world peace... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Getting to space: Europe's rocket challenge 22.09.2026 15p

  Come with us to the factory floor of PLD Space in Spain, where hundreds of engineers and technicians are putting together a rocket in a building that used to make shoes. We look at Europe's plan to launch more of its own rockets in a market now dominated by the US and meet the companies who aim to get that job done. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Financing "Europe's space": Robert de Groot of the EIB 18.09.2026 14p

  The European Investment Bank financed 100 billion euros in new projects last year, and it's putting that financial muscle behind Europe's space industry. Robert de Groot, the vice president of the EU's financing arm responsible for space, explains his aim for an autonomous and resilient EU space sector and how the European Investment Bank is backing it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The New Space Revolution 15.09.2026 14p

  When Elon Musk founded SpaceX, he set off a chain reaction that reshaped the global space industry. A former SpaceX engineer turned European investor, a rocket founder in a converted shoe factory in Spain, a banker at the European Investment Bank and the Inspector-General of the European Space Agency explain how Europe is responding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Rocket science is the easy part: PLD Space founder Raúl Verdú on financing a European space company 11.09.2026 31p

  Raul Verdú, co-founder of PLD Space in Elche, Spain, tells the story of how two amateur rocket enthusiasts started from scratch in a university cafeteria and spent 15 years building the technology, team, and credibility to develop their Miura 5 rocket. Verdú calls on European governments and agencies to back their own launchers with real contracts. With ambitions to reach 30 launches per year and increase payload capacity from half a tonne to 13 tonnes, Verdú sees PLD Space as the foundation of a new European industry that needs to rediscover the value of skilled technical workers, not just engineers and academics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Euro Space Agency chief Aschbacher: How to close the space investment gap 09.09.2026 27p

  Dr Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency, explains how Europe's genius for innovation is helping close the gap in space and specifically space investment with the US, and why that's so important for every aspect of daily life, as well as Europe's security and defence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why space matters so much right now 07.09.2026 16p

  Europe owns two of the world's most advanced space systems, Galileo and Copernicus, but it spends just 10% of what the US invests in space. Find out why that has to change. Experts from the European Space Agency and the European Commission explain how satellites shape daily life in ways most people never notice. We also look at how Russia's invasion of Ukraine exposed Europe's dependence on foreign rockets, and why closing the investment gap is a strategic imperative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Euros in Space: Europe and the New Space Race 07.09.2026 1p

  Euros in Space is the second season of Invested by Europe, from the European Investment Bank. It explores the people, the companies, and the money behind Europe's space economy. Hear from the rocket builders, satellite makers, investors, and institutions working to secure Europe's place in the new space race. Subscribe so you don’t miss any of our 30 episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Spain: Four decades in the EU 30.06.2026 23p

  In 1986, when Spain joined the European Union, it was still emerging from decades of political and economic isolation. Could Spain take its place alongside the great European economies? In this episode, we explore how the European Union helped Spain anchor its democracy, modernise its economy, and build a future its people could believe in. We'll also look at what Spain gave back in return. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  España en la UE 30.06.2026 27p

  En 1986, cuando España se incorporó a la Unión Europea, aún estaba dejando atrás décadas de aislamiento político y económico. ¿Podría España hacerse hueco entre las grandes economías europeas? En este episodio analizamos cómo la Unión Europea ayudó a España a modernizar su economía y a construir un futuro mejor para sus ciudadanos. También exploramos lo que España ha contribuido a la Unión Europea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why deep tech matters for Europe’s economy and everyday life 02.06.2026 16p

  Deep tech is often described as the opposite of conventional or “shallow” technology. Rather than focusing on incremental improvements in software or business models, deep tech is driven by scientific breakthroughs aimed at solving real-world problems that persist over time. In this episode of Invested by Europe, Jussi Hätönen, head of European Innovation Council Fund investments at the European Investment Bank, explains: what deep tech really means how it differs from traditional tech innovation why it takes longer and costs more to develop why getting deep tech right is essential for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and sovereignty.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How sustainable liquid fuels will decarbonise aviation and shipping 26.05.2026 10p

  Gasoline prices are rising, and while drivers can switch to electric cars, other sectors face fewer alternatives. Aviation, shipping and heavy transport still rely on liquid fuels — and electrification is not yet a realistic option for many of these fleets. In this episode of Invested by Europe, Tiago Lopes, a senior engineer at the European Investment Bank, explains: what sustainable liquid fuels are why they are critical for aviation and maritime transport what is preventing them from being produced at scale in Europe what is at stake for Europe’s energy security and strategic autonomy.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How Cleantech is Driving Europe’s Energy Transition 19.05.2026 18p

  Cleantech is no longer a niche sector. It is at the heart of a full‑scale industrial transformation, shaping how Europe produces energy, decarbonises industry and builds a more resilient economy. In this episode of Invested by Europe, Sofia Viola, an investment officer at the European Investment Bank, explains: What cleantech is today — a clue: it’s more than just renewable energy Why energy storage is critical to balancing renewable supply and demand Why batteries are crucial to stabilising the power system Why industrial decarbonisation is essential for competitiveness How the EIC Fund supports cleantech startups and scale‑ups Why access to long‑term capital remains a key challenge in Europe What makes her optimistic about the future of cleantech The conversation also explores why cleantech represents a major economic opportunity — and why scaling these technologies will be decisive for Europe’s energy transition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Biotech is Vital to Europe’s Economy as well as its Health 12.05.2026 14p

  Biotechnology is one of Europe’s most important — and most challenging — innovation sectors. From vaccines and drugs to medical devices and digital medicine, biotech underpins Europe’s health systems, competitiveness and economic sovereignty. In this episode of Invested by Europe, Antoine de Lachaux, head of the life science and biotech unit at the European Investment Bank, explains: What biotech means — from pharmaceuticals and vaccines to medical devices and digital health Why life sciences are strategically important for Europe Why biotech innovation takes time, carries high risk and requires patient capital How Europe’s fragmented market makes scaling more difficult than in the United States What the proposed Biotech Act could change for European companies How the EIB supports the sector, including its early investment in BioNTech Why artificial intelligence is set to accelerate drug development, diagnostics and regulatory processes The conversation also looks at why Europe needs a truly European investment ecosystem to help biotech companies grow to global scale — and why this is a sector Europe cannot afford to outsource.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Critical Raw Materials Are Key to Europe’s Future 05.05.2026 23p

  Critical raw materials are everywhere — in your phone, in solar panels, in wind turbines, and in the batteries that power the energy transition. But where do these materials come from? Why does Europe depend so heavily on them? And how can we build more secure, sustainable, and diversified supply chains? In this episode of Invested by Europe, Lerato Kotelo, critical raw materials specialist at the European Investment Bank, explains: What is a critical or strategic raw material Why technologies like batteries, solar panels and wind turbines depend on them How Europe can diversify its supply and reduce dependence on fossil Why recycling and innovation are so important How do new approaches like extracting lithium from geothermal brines work How responsible partnerships with global producers can create win‑win outcomes Lerato also shares insights on Europe’s mining history, today’s rapidly changing extraction technologies, and how innovation is making mining safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Nuclear Fusion Could Change the Future of Energy 28.04.2026 14p

  Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun. If it can be made to work efficiently on Earth, it could reshape global energy systems — offering a clean, abundant and stable source of power.In this episode of Invested by Europe, Franz Derler from the European Investment Bank explains how fusion works, why even a small amount of mass can produce an enormous amount of energy, and why fusion has so far only been achieved at laboratory scale. He discusses the two major technological approaches — magnetic confinement and laser fusion — and the rapid rise in private investment, with more than $10 billion committed in just five years.If fusion becomes a reality, the implications for the climate, the economy and even global geopolitics would be profound.Invested by Europe looks at the forces shaping the European economy — and how breakthrough technologies might define the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Quantum Computing is Crucial for Europe 21.04.2026 10p

  Quantum computing is not about making today’s computers faster. It represents a fundamentally different way of solving problems — one that could unlock breakthroughs that are currently out of reach.In this episode of Invested by Europe, Nikolay Dimov, a European Investment Bank investment officer, explains what makes quantum computing different from classical computing, why its impact on everyday life will be indirect but significant, and how it could accelerate innovation in areas such as medicine, energy and advanced materials.The discussion looks at quantum from an investment and strategic perspective: why early, patient capital matters in a deeply capital‑intensive sector, how Europe can remain in the global race, and why quantum computing is not only a technological capability but also a geopolitical lever linked to Europe’s strategic independence.Invested by Europe explores the forces shaping the European economy — and how long‑term investment is helping Europe prepare for the technologies that will define tomorrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How Climate Action Boosts Europe’s Competitiveness 14.04.2026 10p

  Climate investment is often seen as a cost. But it’s a powerful driver of competitiveness, resilience and long‑term growth for Europe.In this episode of Invested by Europe, Fotios Kalantzis, senior climate economist at the European Investment Bank, explains why investing in climate is not only about cutting emissions. Climate action reduces Europe’s dependence on fossil fuel imports, improves energy efficiency, creates jobs and strengthens economic security.The conversation explores how the green transition opens new markets and how public investment and EU climate policies are driving demand for clean energy solutions. We also look at the importance of energy efficiency for smaller firms, and how tools such as the EIB’s Green Checker help companies identify and finance green investments.Invested by Europe explores the forces shaping the European economy — and how investment can turn climate ambition into economic opportunity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.