The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, will support an initiative expected to mobilise up to €55 million to expand access to technology education through deferred tuition payment models. The programme, which includes edtech provider 4Geeks Academy Spain alongside other leading European educational institutions, is expected to benefit more than 4,000 students.
Students enrolled at participating institutions will be able to begin their studies without paying tuition fees upfront. Instead, they will repay the cost of their education once they have entered the labour market and started earning an income, through financing models linked to their future employability.
The initiative will be implemented across Spain, Germany, Italy, Croatia and Slovenia, with the participation of several European educational institutions, including 4Geeks Academy, ESADE Business & Law School, Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Hertie School, Algebra Bernays University, Academia Institute of Technology, CODE.science and Yaran Foundation.
The EIF's support will be provided through a portfolio guarantee covering part of the financial risk associated with these operations, enabling participating institutions to offer students more accessible financing terms.
"This initiative is about fairness and equal opportunities across Europe. Students who have the talent and ability to pursue the education they aspire to, but lack the necessary financial resources, can count on our support," said Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund.
The European Investment Bank Group allocated €3.3 billion to education and skills development in 2025 and more than €13 billion over the past five years, as part of its strategy to strengthen human capital and enhance Europe's competitiveness.
"Initiatives such as this represent a major step towards democratising access to technology education across Europe. Beyond removing financial barriers, they help align education more closely with the evolving needs of today's labour market," said Víctor Gómez, CEO of 4Geeks Academy Spain.
About 4Geeks Academy and 4Geeks Academy Spain
4Geeks Academy is a global technology education institution offering intensive programmes designed to train tech professionals with practical artificial intelligence (AI) skills for the digital economy. With a presence in multiple countries, 4Geeks combines hands-on learning, immersive education and an active community of students and mentors to prepare professionals in high-demand fields such as Full Stack Development, Data Science, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity and, more recently, AI Engineering.
Since launching its operations in Spain in 2020, 4Geeks Academy Spain has established itself as one of the country's leading intensive technology training providers, achieving sustained growth while maintaining a strong commitment to employability and innovation. Its programmes—delivered both on campus and remotely—are designed to equip students with market-ready technical skills through real-world projects and expert mentorship. The academy has trained more than 8,000 students in key technology disciplines, including software development, data science, machine learning and cybersecurity, positioning itself as a leading player in Spain's technology education landscape. It is supported by a global learning community and a broad network of educational partnerships that expand career opportunities for its students, with the goal of preparing talent capable of leading the adoption of cutting-edge technologies across industries.
About the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group)
The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) is the financial arm of the European Union, owned by its 27 Member States, and is one of the world's largest multilateral development banks. In 2025, the EIB Group signed €100 billion in new financing and advisory services for more than 870 high-impact projects across its eight core strategic priorities, supporting the European Union's objectives in climate action and environmental sustainability, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, territorial cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, global partnerships, and the Savings and Investments Union.
Beyond providing long-term financing for major infrastructure projects, the EIB Group also mobilises private investment for innovative, high-risk companies and projects, while playing an increasingly important role in Europe's venture debt, venture capital, guarantee and securitisation markets.
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The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the European Investment Ba...
