Minerva Elias, Principal for Strategy & Innovation at the European Investment Bank Institute, brings 15 years of experience at the intersection of tech, finance, and policy. In her 8 years at the European Investment Fund, she led equity teams supporting SMEs and played a key role in thematic investments. Minerva, with a diverse background in European research, is committed to innovative finance models and improving SME access to funding. She actively contributes to EU innovation, participating in expert panels and competitions. Minerva holds degrees in Biology and Forensic Sciences, and an Executive MBA, showcasing her multifaceted expertise.