PODCAST. Did you know that 60% of VC funds in Europe are backed by the European Investment Bank’s venture arm, EIF? Neither did we, and that’s exactly why you should tune in to this podcast episode. You’ll be surprised you didn’t know all this before.

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Expect to learn:

• What challenges is the European startup economy facing now and in the future?
• How does the EU try to fill the market gaps in European financing for growth companies?
• What does EIB’s versatile financing toolbox for growth companies include?
• What is venture debt, and how can later-stage companies use it for scaling?
• How is EIB’s venture arm, the European Investment Fund, driving the European VC scene forward?
• What do the new dynamics of the Euro-zone look like, including structural changes of industries such as automotive?

What is EIB, and who are Debora Revoltella and Hristo Stoykov?

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the lending arm of the European Union. With the EU member states as its shareholders, EIB the biggest multilateral financial institution in the world. It’s also one of the world’s largest providers of climate finance. EIB aims to help the economy, create jobs, promote equality, and improve lives of EU citizens and people in developing countries. The EIB Group has two parts: the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund. The EIF specialises in finance for small businesses and mid-caps.

Debora Revoltella is the Chief Economist and Director of the Economics Department of the European Investment Bank. The department provides impact-driven economic analysis to support operations, the global positioning, as well as the policy and strategy definition of the bank. Debora holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Ancona in Italy. After the experience as an adjunct professor in macroeconomics at Bocconi University, Debora joined the research department of Banca Commerciale Italiana, a leading Italian Bank. In 2001, she joined UniCredit as the Chief Economist for Central and Eastern Europe. During these years, the department developed into a leading research center for the region. Debora is a member of the Steering Committees of the Vienna Initiative and the CompNet, an alternate member of the Board of the Joint Vienna Institute, and a member of the Boards of the SUERF and the Euro 50 Group.

Hristo Stoykov is Head of Growth Capital and Innovation Finance Division within EIB. In this role, Hristo oversees all venture debt operations of the EIB, as well as various equity co-investment products deployed in partnership with private funds and strategic investors. He is currently managing a team of 30 professionals investing on average EUR 1 billion in equity risk operations mainly across the EU countries. Prior to joining the EIB, Hristo worked in leverage finance and capital market positions in Europe and North America. Hristo holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Schulich School of Business, York University, Canada.

What Soaked by Slush podcast?

Soaked by Slush – now all ears.  Soaked by Slush is a new online startup media by Slush. In our First Podcast Season Ever, our friends from Futucast interview Slush 2019 speakers and guests to unpack their life stories, career hacks, and future visions. Have a listen, subscribe, rate, hate, slate – whatever you feel like, mate. All engagement is good engagement.