Additional sources of funding for SMEs from the European Union

 


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Small Business

Are you looking for finance or funding?

Please note that we do not provide direct funding of any kind to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

If you are looking for direct finance please visit Access to finance website, a multilingual site with information on EU backed sources of finance provided by financial institutions in the 34 European countries that are elegible to participate in the EU Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme 2007-2013.


accesstofinance


  • How can I obtain JEREMIE funding?
JEREMIE funds are not issued directly to SMEs. SMEs are the final beneficiaries and may obtain funding directly from EIF partner financial institutions. SMEs should therefore not apply to EIF or the European Commission for financial support.In due course, SMEs interested in obtaining finance will be able to identify and contact financial intermediaries in their countries based on information provided in this website as soon as the JEREMIE initiative becomes active in Member States and Regions. Please visit the Access to Finance website

for information about sources of finance backed by the European Union.

  • What is EIF’s activity in support of SMEs?

Our activity is focussed on improving the financial environment for SMEs, allowing them to set up and develop their enterprises.  We provide equity and guarantees to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) through a wide range of financial institutions. We carry out our business in two main areas:

  1. EIF's guarantee activity consist of providing guarantees to financial institutions that cover credits to SMEs. EIF’s guarantee activity clients include banks, leasing companies, guarantee institutions and mutual guarantee funds. These intermediaries invest in SMEs that meet our investment criteria.
  2. EIF's venture capital activity consists of equity investments in venture capital funds and business incubators that support SMEs, particularly those that are early stage and technology-oriented. EIF’s venture capital clients are specialised venture capital funds and business incubators.