CISPE pushes for European cloud sovereignty with €1 million investment in Fulcrum

In recent developments regarding cloud services in Europe, an alliance of cloud service providers known as the Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers in Europe (CISPE) has initiated an investment of €1 million into the Fulcrum Project, aimed at enhancing competitive alternatives to established US-centric hyperscale cloud providers. This funding aligns with a broader push for European cloud sovereignty in light of growing dissatisfaction from local consumers pertaining to reliance on US technology giants. The Fulcrum Project seeks to establish an open-source digital exchange that enables smaller tech vendors to pool resources and federate their infrastructures, effectively creating a competitor capable of matching the scale of the larger market players. The investment stems from a settlement reached with Microsoft in the previous year, which established an innovation fund utilizing Microsoft's resources for promoting advancements in the European cloud market. This move reflects the urgent need among European customers—both in public and private sectors—who are increasingly hesitant to depend on US-based cloud services, especially given rising concerns about data privacy and sovereignty. Francisco Mingorance, Secretary General of CISPE, noted that the initiative is a crucial step towards restoring balance in a market that has seen significant shifts in power dynamics towards hyperscalers, with smaller providers losing a considerable share in recent years. Industry leaders see the Fulcrum Project as a vital opportunity for smaller cloud service providers to enhance their offerings and compete effectively. Emile Chalouhi, the CEO of Opiquad, emphasized the importance of a collaborative digital market that aligns with industry needs rather than facing bureaucratic hurdles typically associated with public initiatives. The goal is to have the first aggregated services available for purchase composition by July 2025, according to Mingorance. However, voices from other sectors, such as Mark Boost from UK cloud vendor Civo, expressed concerns about insufficient UK participation in these initiatives, pointing to a need for more proactive approaches in the region. As the CISPE takes steps to facilitate collaborative frameworks among cloud service providers, awareness of digital sovereignty has emerged as a critical theme in the current technological landscape. The recent geopolitical climate, particularly relating to US policy under the Trump administration, has intensified calls for a reevaluation of the cloud services dependency, where localization and sovereignty become increasingly prioritized. Consequently, the Fulcrum Project appears to be a timely response to these shifts, where the aim is not only to foster competition but also to safeguard local customers’ interests and enhance their options in cloud services moving forward.