UniCredit, the pan-European bank, and Rise Europe, the alliance of leading European innovation hubs, today announced a strategic partnership to foster European champions and a more competitive continental business environment.
The collaboration will boost Rise Europe's growth, support startup champions to scale, and build a stronger Europe, leveraging on UniCredit extensive 13-country footprint, corporate relationships with entrepreneurs, and existing local startup initiatives.
The purpose is to bolster trans-continental business progress, development and knowledge-sharing opportunities with the support of leading industrial and academic innovation players from 14 different European countries.
This initiative highlights UniCredit's longstanding and increased commitment to sustaining the evolution of both European and local businesses in the countries where the Group operates directly.
Rise Europe was established in 2023 by UnternehmerTUM, the centre for innovation and business creation of the Technical University of Munich, with the aim to empower the next generation of transformative startups to secure long-term prosperity in Europe.
Rise Europe comprises 19 corporate and academic institutions, and it intends to tackle global challenges arising in:
- AI, robotics and quantum computing
- Climate neutrality and circular economy
- Food, agriculture and healthcare
- Aerospace and mobility
- Energy transition and resilience
Since its foundation, Rise Europe has supported over 14,500 startups and 130,000 talents, which captured approximately 10% of the annual regional venture capital funding available.
"UniCredit is fully committed to strengthening the European startup ecosystem. Strong financial institutions like UniCredit are enablers for new market and technology leaders from Europe. The partnership with Rise Europe is testament of UniCredit's commitment to the future and sustainability of the economies we operate within" said Fiona Melrose, Head of Group Strategy & ESG, UniCredit. "The collaborative nature of the initiative aims to tear down national barriers, and create one, strong pan-European environment where entrepreneurs can thrive and succeed. Additionally, it will give us a front row seat on the most cutting-edge innovations that will benefit our business, clients and communities."
"Europe has a fantastic base of entrepreneurial talent and leading tech universities. With joint forces we will initiate and accelerate a new generation of European startup champions. In this sense, UniCredit's involvement plays a key role in this mission. It provides access to a deep pool of capabilities, connections, and countries, bringing Southern and Central Eastern European economies into the fold" said Prof. Dr. Helmut Schönenberger, Founder and CEO of UnternehmerTUM.
Milan, Italy/Munich, Germany - 01 July 2025
For further information, please contact: mediarelations@unicredit.eu