Invested by Europe

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.  

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.