Jean Eric Salata said Europe’s innovation ecosystem in AI infrastructure and quantum computing represents a significant opportunity for European investors.
This perspective is critical as Europe seeks to bridge the technological gap with the U.S. and Asia. By focusing on the physical and computational foundations of artificial intelligence, EQT aims to capitalize on a growth cycle that Salata believes is in its early stages.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Salata said that the build-out of tech infrastructure in Europe has many years of growth ahead. He said the current trajectory creates attractive returns for those willing to invest in the region's evolving capabilities.
"The AI infrastructure boom is just beginning," Salata said.
Salata was nominated to succeed as chair in 2026 [2]. Under his leadership, the firm is looking toward a more aggressive deal environment. He said to Bloomberg Deals that the firm sees a pipeline of larger deals increasing [3].
EQT Group currently manages around $310 billion in assets [1]. The firm's focus on high-growth sectors like quantum computing, and AI is part of a broader strategy to maintain its competitive edge in the alternative investment market.
Salata said that the shift toward advanced computing is not a temporary trend but a structural change in how business is conducted across the continent. He said, "This is an opportunity for European investors."
“The AI infrastructure boom is just beginning.”
Salata's optimism signals a strategic shift for EQT toward 'hard' tech infrastructure. By prioritizing quantum computing and AI build-outs, EQT is betting that Europe can develop its own sovereign AI capacity rather than relying solely on imported American technology, potentially shifting the center of gravity for tech investment in the region.
