The new venture, European Search Perspective, is based in Paris – with ownership split equally between Ecosia and Qwant. Starting in 2025, the venture will […]
Ecosia and Qwant today reveal a new joint venture, European Search Perspective (EUSP), to develop and build search engine infrastructure in Europe. EUSP aims to contribute to digital sovereignty within Europe and ensure the continent has a strong, independent alternative to existing search technologies.
Company ownership is shared 50/50 between both parties, with the company operating outside of Ecosia’s steward-owned model – which means EUSP will be able to raise external capital from investors for long term expansion. The index built from the joint venture can be syndicated by search engines and serve as a key resource for the European data industry, for example, providing a transparent and secure data pool for new AI technologies.
"This shift will eventually make the market more competitive, more diverse with tech being developed by Europe’s top alternative search engines.”
EUSP will develop a privacy-first search index, which will be used by both Ecosia and Qwant. Unlike proprietary solutions, EUSP’s index will be available to other independent search engines and technology companies. Both firms will continue existing back-end tech partnerships to ensure the best possible results and product for their respective user-base.
The firm has plans to start serving Qwant and Ecosia’s France-based search engine traffic by the Q1 in 2025. Qwant CEO Olivier Abecassis will run the new venture, with Ecosia supporting financially and consulting with relevant expertise. The existing engineering Qwant team and their developments will be transferred to EUSP in the beginning of 2025, once approvals from stakeholders have been processed. This will expand to also include a significant portion of traffic in Germany by the end of next year.
“The mission is clear - to develop democratic, sovereign tech on the continent at the same time when generative AI will profoundly redefine the online search experience"
At the moment, independent search engines do not typically develop their own back-end technology – instead relying on the existing infrastructure. This includes the delivery of search and news results.
Firms such as Ecosia and Qwant previously had to build on top of industry offerings – EUSP makes it possible for Ecosia and Qwant to team up to develop their own tech,and gain more control over their tech stacks.
A joint venture between Qwant and Ecosia was – after extensive analysis – the best option for both organizations. It is also an important step as regulators, courts and parliaments across EU and US have underlined the importance of diversity and are in the process of opening up entrepreneurial opportunities.
"We’re proud to build a search index in Europe, and excited to mark the next stage of our push towards more autonomy and diversity. The amount of climate impact Ecosia can bring about will always be dependent on how good our search engine is, so developing innovative technology is essential for the planet. This huge endeavor will also require the support of regulators and governments.”
"This is a supercharged partnership between two responsible, renowned European brands, with privacy and climate impact at their heart. Search engine technology must operate in an open market that is conducive to free competition and innovation. It’s hugely positive for Europe to have search tech developed on the continent. European Search Perspective will give a freedom of choice and of thinking for all European people.”
