A coalition of more than 90 European technology companies and industry groups, including Airbus (AIR.PA) and Dassault Systèmes (DAST.PA), has called on the European Commission to establish a sovereign infrastructure fund to boost public investment in critical technologies, Reuters reports.
In an open letter dated March 14, addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the signatories emphasized the need for Europe to strengthen its technological independence across both digital and physical infrastructure. The letter also suggested a “buy European” policy in public procurement to support regional companies and encourage investment.
The letter highlights concerns over Europe’s reliance on foreign technology in key areas such as:
- Digital infrastructure: applications, AI frameworks, platforms, and media
- Physical infrastructure: semiconductors, computing, storage, and connectivity
The companies argue that these multiple dependencies create security risks, compromise sovereignty, and hinder economic growth. Recent policy actions by the United States and European Union have underscored the urgency of taking proactive steps to maintain Europe’s strategic autonomy.
The letter describes a sovereign infrastructure fund as a crucial tool to support innovation, particularly in capital-intensive fields like quantum technologies and semiconductor manufacturing.
In addition to the funding request, the letter proposes that European governments prioritize European companies in public procurement tenders.
- The goal is not to exclude non-European firms, but rather to ensure European companies can fairly compete and justify long-term investments.
- This approach would stimulate demand and encourage businesses to expand within Europe.
The letter was signed by a diverse group of organizations, including:
- OVH Cloud (France) and other European cloud service providers
- The European Software Institute
- The European Startup Network
- The German AI Association
- The Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX)
- BPI France, the French public investment bank
The message was also directed to EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, urging immediate action to strengthen Europe’s position in global technology markets.
With growing global competition in AI, semiconductors, and cloud computing, European policymakers face increasing pressure to support homegrown innovation.
- A sovereign infrastructure fund could provide crucial resources for companies working on emerging technologies.
- A “buy European” strategy could help create a more competitive environment for European suppliers.
