(Analysis + Trends)

Regional investments in CEE grew at nearly twice the rate of the European total. CEE accounted for 2.2% of the total value of European investments, up from 1.9% in 2023. These are the conclusions of the latest Central &Eastern Europe Private Equity Statistics 2024 report, produced by Invest Europe— the association representing Europe's private equity, venture capital, and infrastructure sectors, along with their investors.

The same analysis points to strong, double-digit growth in fundraising, investments, and exits. Activity levels have returned in line with recent historical averages, major transactions signal a return of market confidence, and international investor interest is rising.

What Private Investment Looks Like in CEE

The private investment report for the region reveals clear signs of a recovery and a maturing ecosystem, with CEE growing approximately twice as fast as the European total in terms of investment value.

Private investment in CEE staged a record comeback in 2024, with the region spectacularly making up for a weaker 2023. Total investment value grew by 50%, reaching €2.83 billion. Fundraising also rose by 66%,hitting €1.42 billion - returning to the five-year average.

Still under the regional microscope, we also see a triplingin the value of fundraising for venture capital funds: €657 million, providinga safety net for future financing rounds.

Another defining characteristic of the region was the growthof the buyout segment, which accounted for 69% of total regional investments ata value of €1.96 billion (+79% compared to 2023).

Regional Leaders

The region has its investment leaders, with Poland as the primary destination for capital — attracting 44% of total regional investment value and 25% of VC investments. Poland is followed by Hungary (21%) and the Czech Republic (14%).

 Where Romania excels in the region is in fundraising attracted (€256.1 million), heavily supported by public capital (PNRR/REF) and local private investors. While fundraising declined 12% at the European level, the CEE region — driven massively by Romania — recorded 50% growth. However, the majority of funds active in the region continue to be raised in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Another area where Romania ranks near the top is regional exits, with a total exit value of €98 million (measured at historical investment cost), placing the country second in the CEE region after Poland. As for exit performance, it reached its best level since 2020. Stock market listings continue to dominate (44% of total exits), while trade sales were the most numerous.

CEE and the Trends Shaping the Future of Investment

CEE remains below the European average in terms of investment as a share of GDP (0.112% vs. 0.551%), but the latest data suggests a capacity for accelerated growth.

The region is viewed as a "relatively safe haven" due to attractive valuations and political stability.

Within this development-friendly environment, recentanalyses and reports point to several key trends — with Romania emerging as aninvestment force in the region.

The future of private investment is optimistic, maturing,and shaped by AI, as well as sectors such as Deep Tech and security.

The regional outlook for 2026 points to a transition toward a phase of market neutrality and stabilization, moving beyond the recent investor-dominated cycle. While early 2026 saw more subdued activity in volume terms compared to late 2025, the overall outlook is optimistic, supported by a return of fund manager confidence and dry powder at elevated levels.

Key Trends for 2026

1. The Massive Dominance of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

At the start of 2026, AI-related transactions account for over 60% of total European venture capital value, according to the Pitchbook Early-Stage Dealmaking in 2026 report. AI companies are the primary targets for strategic acquisitions, with large corporations willing to pay premium prices to integrate AI capabilities.

Unlike the US — which concentrates capital in a few large AI labs — Europe tends to diversify its bets across various vertical AI applications, robotics, and infrastructure.

AI is considered the most attractive sector for the future.Approximately 31% of total European funding in 2025 is directed toward AI/MLcompanies, according to the Atomico State of European Tech report.

As for CEE, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector led the way, attracting 36% of total value and over 50% of VC-funded companies. Consumer goods and services ranked second (33% of value), according to the Central and Eastern Europe Statistics 2024 report published byInvest Europe.

2. Focus on Deep Tech and Strategic Independence

The center of gravity for investment is shifting from consumer software toward digital infrastructure and Deep Tech (biotechnology, semiconductors, green energy).

Sectors contributing to European sovereignty — such as defence technology (Defence Tech), cybersecurity, and space technologies — are attracting interest from both private and institutional investors.

The region is marked by a capital pivot toward Deep Tech(which attracted 36% of VC dollars in Europe in 2025) and strategic sectorssuch as defence, cybersecurity, and climate technologies.

3. Capital Efficiency

Company valuations are no longer dictated solely by growthrate, but by capital efficiency.

 Investment funds are completing their maturation phase — ashift visible in the average size of European VC funds, which has tripled overthe past decade.

 In Romania, 2026 will mark the moment when new investment instruments — such as regional funds — along with the import of know-how through international partnerships and fund management consortiums, will energize the economic landscape. Here, private investors will find communities and tools to support their local investment journey.

4. Exit as a Strategic Target

The exit market is reopening. A re-engagement of global investors is anticipated in 2026, with a solid pipeline of early-stage, "exit-ready" companies waiting for the right moment for an IPO or M&A transaction.

M&A is seen as the primary route — in Europe, strategic acquisitions remain the dominant path to liquidity. More often than not, early-stage companies are built with acquisition in mind rather than a stock market listing.

There are, however, signs of the IPO window reopening as well, with a solid pipeline of "exit-ready" companies that have been waiting for improved market conditions over the past two years.

While fundraising across Europe as a whole fell 12% in 2024, the CEE region managed to double its share of total European capital-raising —from 0.6% to 1.2%. And it is this context that creates fertile conditions for financing, partnerships, and broadly optimistic trends in private investment.

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