Debate: should Brussels invest directly in scale-ups? Andrew J Scott pushes back on EU 'anchor' equity

An FT column (Is Europe getting serious about ending tech dependence?, 8 November) says access to funding for risky ventures is the biggest challenge for EU tech sovereignty, notes that a new scale-up fund is operational and that Brussels wants more public strategic anchor equity to crowd in private investors, but says the sums look far too small next to US tech investment and that EU Inc is being watered down. 7percent Ventures' Andrew J Scott argues it is not government's job to be a tech investor and that the EU should instead repeal compliance rules for VC funds, make growth VC attractive to pension funds through tax and regulation, cut energy costs, pass EU Inc undiluted and buy capability with large contracts in space launch, foundational AI and defence. Supporters of the EQT-managed Scaleup Europe Fund (EUR 1B from the Commission towards a EUR 5B target) see it as a bridge for later-stage rounds while private VC matures.