TL;DR
- The Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers in Europe (CISPE) is investing €1 million into the Fulcrum Project.
- The funding is sourced from Microsoft’s settlement following an antitrust investigation.
- Fulcrum aims to create an open-source cloud federation to provide European customers with alternatives to US hyperscalers.
- Initial services from the Fulcrum Project are expected to launch by July 2025.
An alliance of cloud service providers in Europe has announced a significant investment of €1 million into the Fulcrum Project, an initiative aimed at developing open-source cloud federation technology. This funding comes from a settlement agreement with Microsoft, highlighting the intersection between major tech companies and the push for European cloud sovereignty. The Fulcrum Project seeks to create competitive options for European customers wary of depending on US hyperscale cloud providers.
Investment Origins and Project Overview
According to reports, the €1 million allocated to the Fulcrum Project is part of an innovation fund established as a result of Microsoft’s settlement stemming from allegations of anti-competitive practices in Europe. Francisco Mingorance, Secretary General of CISPE, noted that this funding is a critical step towards enhancing European cloud capabilities, thereby allowing local providers to compete effectively against giants like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
The Fulcrum Project is designed to federate cloud infrastructures from various smaller European service providers, thereby pooling their resources to deliver scalable and robust cloud services. Mingorance remarked,
“We cannot wait another five years. I mean, the sector lost half of its market share in four years to hyperscalers.”
This emphasis on rapid development is amplified by the project’s plan to roll out its initial services by July 2025.
Significance of the Initiative
The launch of the Fulcrum Project marks a pivotal moment for European cloud providers, as it aims to position them as viable alternatives to established US-based services. The project encapsulates broader trends observed in Europe, including a rising demand for digital sovereignty and a concerted effort to limit reliance on foreign technology.
Some of the key objectives of the Fulcrum initiative include:
- Enhancing European cloud sovereignty by offering alternatives to foreign-controlled services.
- Pooling resources from smaller providers to diversify available services for local customers.
- Creating a collaborative environment that encourages the development of innovative cloud solutions.
Looking Ahead
As Europe fortifies its digital infrastructure, the Fulcrum Project represents a decisive move towards a collaborative, resource-sharing framework among cloud providers. With initial products set to debut within the next couple of years, stakeholders in the digital economy will be closely watching to see how this initiative unfolds and whether it can deliver on its promises of competitiveness and accountability in cloud services. The success or failure of this project could set significant precedents for future tech collaborations in Europe and beyond.
Conclusion
The investment of €1 million into the Fulcrum Project underlines the urgent need for European cloud providers to unite against the dominance of US hyperscalers. By leveraging funding from Microsoft, the initiative hopes to provide a compelling alternative for customers, emphasizing the value of sovereignty, innovation, and collaboration in the cloud space. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, Fulcrum’s progression may influence strategic decisions across the industry, aimed at ensuring competitive viability and independence in the face of global tech consolidation.
References
[^1]: The Register (2025-04-01). “Delicious irony as Euro alliance pumps €1M of Microsoft’s money into open source cloud federation tech“. The Register. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
[^2]: CISPE, Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers in Europe (2025-04-01). “CISPE pumps €1 million of Microsoft’s money into Fulcrum“. The Register. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
