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European Investment Bank to Allocate €70 Billion for Tech Sector from 2025 to 2027

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The European Investment Bank (EIB) is set to announce plans to invest €70 billion into European technology firms over the next three years, EU officials confirmed. The initiative, called Tech EU, aims to strengthen Europe’s competitive edge against China and the United States in innovative clean and digital technologies.

The EIB, recognized as the world’s largest multilateral lender with a total balance sheet of €556 billion, expects its €70 billion commitment to mobilize an additional €250 billion from private investors attracted by EIB-supported projects.

The allocation breakdown for 2025-2027 includes:

  • €20 billion for equity and quasi-equity investments

  • €40 billion for loans

  • €10 billion for guarantees

This initiative is designed to complement European Commission efforts by supporting high-risk ventures and innovative companies through their entire investment lifecycle—from proof of concept to initial public offering.

Key focus areas for funding include supercomputing, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, critical raw materials, green industries such as offshore wind, healthcare, security and defense technologies, robotics, and advanced materials.

Geothermal Startups See Growth as AI Demand Rises but Face Rivalry from Natural Gas

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Geothermal energy is gaining traction as a sustainable solution to power the energy-hungry AI data centers of major tech companies like Meta and Google. However, the path forward remains uncertain due to stiff competition from natural gas and the high upfront costs of geothermal projects.

The Rise of Geothermal for AI Energy Needs

Big Tech firms are partnering with geothermal startups to supply clean energy for their data centers. These partnerships are part of a broader push to meet the growing energy demands of AI technologies while accelerating investments in renewable energy.

Trey Lowe, Chief Technology Officer of Devon Energy, a shale gas producer and investor in geothermal startup Fervo Energy, highlights the potential: “We believe geothermal, along with abundant natural gas, can be part of the all-of-the-above energy mix we need to meet the demand.”

Geothermal energy offers advantages such as faster carbon-free electricity generation compared to nuclear energy and reliability over intermittent sources like wind and solar. Despite these benefits, challenges like high drilling costs and lengthy project approvals have tempered initial enthusiasm.

Investments and Industry Shifts

Since 2020, geothermal projects have attracted an estimated $700 million in funding. While startups like Sage Geosystems and Gradient Geothermal are pushing forward with innovative approaches, larger oil majors like Chevron and Exxon Mobil remain focused on natural gas, often coupled with carbon sequestration to lower emissions.

Sage Geosystems, for instance, recently raised $30 million and is planning a Series B funding round in January. Gradient Geothermal is leveraging existing oil and gas infrastructure to generate geothermal energy, a cost-effective strategy gaining interest among mid-sized energy firms.

Geothermal energy’s cost competitiveness is a key factor driving its appeal. The average levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for geothermal projects in the U.S. stands at $64 per megawatt-hour (MWh), lower than combined-cycle natural gas ($77/MWh) and significantly cheaper than nuclear energy ($182/MWh).

The Texas Geothermal Boom

Texas is emerging as a hub for geothermal development, thanks to its abundant resources, streamlined permitting process, and regulatory certainty. Ten of the 22 geothermal startups launched in the U.S. between 2016 and 2022 are headquartered in Texas.

According to Matt Welch of the Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance, “Texas is becoming the ‘place to be’ for geothermal exploration and development across the board.”

Legislative and Market Support

Lower commodity prices are pushing shale companies to diversify revenue streams, with geothermal becoming a viable option. Bipartisan legislative interest, such as the recently passed CLEAN Act and HEATS Act, could further simplify the process of setting up geothermal projects in the U.S., boosting the sector’s growth.

Trey Lowe of Devon Energy notes that government incentives and the stability of geothermal investments are attracting more private capital: “A combination of a low decline asset with high certainty on pricing piques the interest of many investors.”

Challenges and Outlook

While geothermal energy has significant potential, its growth is clouded by competition from natural gas and the reluctance of major oil companies to commit fully. For geothermal to become a cornerstone of the energy mix, continued investment, innovation, and supportive policy frameworks will be essential.

 

Startup Revolutionizes Methane Mitigation with Microbes, Partners with Whole Foods for Climate-Friendly Products

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In the ongoing battle against global warming, the focus has often been on reducing carbon emissions. However, methane, while less prevalent, is significantly more harmful due to its high efficiency in trapping heat. Addressing methane emissions is crucial for achieving global climate goals. Enter Windfall Bio, a California-based startup pioneering a novel approach to methane reduction that could have a substantial impact on the environment.

Windfall Bio has developed a method utilizing “mems” — methane-eating microbes that naturally occur in soils and wetlands. These microbes consume methane as their primary food source, converting it into fertilizer. This innovative approach not only reduces harmful methane emissions but also produces a valuable byproduct. According to Josh Silverman, CEO of Windfall Bio, the company’s mission is to provide these microbes to various industries that generate methane, such as agriculture, landfills, and oil production.

The application of mems is versatile. For instance, farmers can use these microbes to capture methane emissions from livestock, particularly cows, and convert it into fertilizer for their crops. Similarly, oil producers and landfills can deploy mems to mitigate methane emissions from their operations. Windfall Bio offers an additional incentive by buying back the fertilizer produced, providing a revenue stream for these industries while contributing to environmental sustainability.

Traditional fertilizer production is energy-intensive and generates significant carbon emissions, especially in the production of ammonia-based fertilizers. Windfall Bio’s microbial method presents a cleaner, more sustainable alternative that aligns with the growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions.

Since launching their product to clients two years ago, Windfall Bio has seen a surge in demand that has far exceeded expectations. The company now serves customers across multiple continents and continues to attract interest from various industries. Despite being an early-stage company, investors like Brett Morris, managing director at Cavallo Ventures, are confident in Windfall Bio’s potential to scale and meet the growing global demand for methane mitigation.

One of Windfall Bio’s most promising ventures is a pilot program with Whole Foods Market dairy suppliers. This partnership aims to reduce methane emissions in dairy farming and enable Whole Foods to market its products as climate-friendly, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.

Backed by notable investors including Cavallo Ventures, Prelude Ventures, Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Mayfield, Windfall Bio has raised $37 million in funding to date. With this support, the company is well-positioned to expand its operations and continue making significant strides in methane reduction and sustainable agriculture.