Invested by Europe
Invested by Europe explores the forces shaping the European economy. In each episode, experts tackle pressing challenges from housing and energy to innovation and infrastructure, security and defence. The podcast looks at what's changing, what the solutions are, and how Europe is investing in its future.
Épisodes
Following the money: European Space Policy Institute research with João Falcão Serra
João Falcão Serra leads industry and finance research at the European Space Policy Institute in Vienna. He explains how he tracks global investment in space companies and why European private funding is at record levels. He looks at the forces behind the boom, including defence demand, falling interest rates and the SpaceX IPO hype, and also points to a growing spread of investment in smaller econ
Invisible Technologies: Amazing space tech you've yet to hear of
Rockets and satellites get the headlines. But what makes them work? Here are five technologies you've probably never heard of, but they're set to have a big impact on how rockets work and, even, on your electricity bill. We'll hear from the founders of companies working on: the pressure vessels inside every rocket and satellite; a green propellant to replace hydrazine, which can be sto
How the EU boosts space startups: CASSINI's Tomas Jonsson
Tomas Jonsson leads the Cassini team at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space. It's the EU's space entrepreneurship programme. He describes how Europe's space sector has changed since 2019, with many more companies, real commercial growth and significant private investment. He also talks about the careers the sector offers beyond engineering,
Satellites that make their own decisions: AIKO founder Lorenzo Feruglio
AIKO founder Lorenzo Feruglio explains how automation lets satellites make their own decisions, reducing waste and boosting profits (because right now only 10% of the data gathered by a satellite is monetised). An interview about software, artificial intelligence and...fixing a problem that less original thinkers didn't even know existed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa
Finance in space: How Europe funds its space ambitions
Europe's space investment hit a record €1.4 billion in 2025. The first half of 2026 already surpassed that amount. We look at the grants, equity, venture debt and, for the first time, commercial bank lending pushing space up the financial agenda. You'll hear from venutre capital investors at Warsaw's OTB Ventures and the European Investment Fund, bankers at the European Investment Bank
Space is invisible infrastructure: Giancarlo Granero, European Commission
Space is Europe's "invisible infrastructure". Giancarlo Granero, who leads on the space economy at the European Commission, explains how the European Union's Cassini initiative turned €200 million into a venture ecosystem that raised €1 billion last year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The SpaceX insider who went European: Bulent Altan, Alpine Space Ventures
From SpaceX engineer to space investor: Bulent Altan, one of SpaceX's first hires, now leads Alpine Space Ventures. Backed by the European Investment Fund, Alpine Space's first fund invested in some of the amazing companies you've met in this series, like Blackwave and Reflex Aerospace. Bulent talks about deep-tech investing and why Europe needs its own space industrial base. Hosted on
Space and defence: The new frontier of European security
Space has always been strategic, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine made that fact impossible to ignore. We explore how satellites became a frontline of modern warfare, why Europe's dependence on non-European networks is a vulnerability it can no longer afford, and what the continent is doing to protect its assets in orbit. From attacks on commercial satellites to the race to build sovereign
Space is critical infrastructure: European Commission's Lorena Boix Alonso
The European Commission owns and runs Galileo and Copernicus, the space systems behind everything from your morning weather forecast to flood rescue operations. We hear from Lorena Boix Alonso, Deputy Director General for Space at the European Commission, about why space is now critical infrastructure, why Europe's strategic autonomy depends on it, and why the new space race is nothing like th
Sometimes you just have to say, "Wow": Omar Qaise, OQ Technology
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 c
Satellites: The new infrastructure of...everything
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
Reflex Aerospace founder Walter Ballheimer: From blueprint to orbit, fast
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 t
Getting to space: Europe's rocket challenge
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.
Financing "Europe's space": Robert de Groot of the EIB
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 m
The New Space Revolution
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.
Rocket science is the easy part: PLD Space founder Raúl Verdú on financing a European space company
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
Euro Space Agency chief Aschbacher: How to close the space investment gap
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.
Why space matters so much right now
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 foreig
Euros in Space: Europe and the New Space Race
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/privac
Spain: Four decades in the EU
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
España en la UE
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 Eu
Why deep tech matters for Europe’s economy and everyday life
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
How sustainable liquid fuels will decarbonise aviation and shipping
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 li
How Cleantech is Driving Europe’s Energy Transition
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:&nbs
Why Biotech is Vital to Europe’s Economy as well as its Health
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
Why Critical Raw Materials Are Key to Europe’s Future
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 sp
Why Nuclear Fusion Could Change the Future of Energy
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
Why Quantum Computing is Crucial for Europe
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 ever
How Climate Action Boosts Europe’s Competitiveness
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
Why Space is the Backbone of Europe’s Economy
Space is often associated with rockets and missions to the Moon. But space technology underpins many of the services we rely on every day — from navigation and weather forecasting to communications, agriculture and secure financial transactions.In this episode of Invested by Europe, Pierre Limouzin, senior investment officer at the European Investment Bank, explains why space has become a strategi
How to Play Defence Against Climate Change
Climate action is about more than cutting emissions. Even if mitigation succeeds, societies and economies will continue to face climate risks for years to come. Climate adaptation is how those risks are managed.In this episode of Invested by Europe, we speak with Roman Röhrl, climate change specialist at the European Investment Bank, about what climate adaptation really means and how it works in p
What Actually Makes Affordable Housing Possible?
Across Europe, affordable housing depends on more than construction alone. It requires long‑term finance, clear rules, access to land and careful urban planning.In this episode of Invested by Europe, we speak with Grzegorz Gajda, Senior Urban Specialist at the European Investment Bank, about what makes affordable housing work in practice. Drawing on experience from across Europe and beyond, the co
How Innovation Could Make Construction an Industry You’ll Want to Work in
Explore how innovation in construction materials, digital tools and industrialised processes could transform how Europe builds—and who works in construction. The conversation looks at why construction has changed so little for decades and how technologies such as digital twins, Building Information Modelling (BIM), robotics and artificial intelligence are reshaping d
Why Social Investment Drives Europe’s Economic Success
Social investment shapes everyday life in Europe — from education and healthcare to childcare and housing. In this episode of Invested by Europe, we explore why investing in social infrastructure is not just about social protection, but a key driver of inclusive economic growth. The podcast looks at how social investment helps more people participate in the
Why Security and Defence is a Race Against Time for Europe
Europe’s security environment is changing fast — and investment decisions made today will shape its resilience for decades. In this episode of Invested by Europe, we examine why security and defence is such an urgent priority and what European strategic autonomy means in practice. The podcast explores how Europe is closing long-standing capability gaps
Why Energy Efficiency Is Europe’s Fastest Climate Solution
Explore why accelerating energy efficiency renovations is one of the fastest and most effective ways to cut energy demand, reduce emissions and lower energy bills. The podcast looks at why renovation rates remain too low, what’s holding back households, businesses and cities, and how investment and public support can help unlock action. We also examine the role of digital tools and artificial inte
Invested by Europe
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