The EIF and Aegon AM expand support for high-growth companies to make available more than €400 million for SMEs and small mid-caps in the Netherlands

Luxembourg/Brussels/Amsterdam: The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Aegon Asset Management (Aegon AM) have renewed and broadened their partnership through an expanded guarantee transaction, supporting a portfolio of Aegon AM’s SME and small mid-cap clients.

Building on an initial agreement signed in 2023, the new guarantee agreement will enable Aegon AM to provide up to €407 million in available financing to support high-growth Dutch companies. The guarantee agreements are backed by the European Commission under its InvestEU initiative.

“Especially high-growth companies need support to make sure they can stay and thrive right here in Europe, preserving access to key technologies and services. We’re very happy and proud to build on our relationship with Aegon AM to make that happen” said Marjut Falkstedt.

“The continuation of our partnership with the EIF strengthens our ability to support SMEs and small mid-caps with debt financing.” says Damiaan Jacobovits de Szeged, CEO of Aegon AM CE: "We are committed to supporting private companies in the Netherlands with debt financing that enables them to realize their growth ambitions, contribute to job creation, innovation and long-term economic growth. We are proud of our partnership with the EIF, which allows us to offer our third-party clients attractive investment opportunities, with a compelling risk/return profile given the EIF guarantees. This collaboration is a core aspect of our strategic focus on Private Debt with Impact.”

Aegon AM’s investments in final beneficiaries will target those companies whose projects and business activities support climate action and sustainability, as well as digitalization and competitiveness. Importantly, the operation addresses a clear market gap in the Netherlands regarding available lending for SMEs and small mid-caps by offering subordinated debt, which usually has longer maturities and interest-only periods. Aegon AM’s EIF-supported financing enhances cash flow flexibility and helps enable the growth and expansion of Dutch SMEs and small mid-cap companies that are underserved by traditional lenders.

The European Investment Fund is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by helping them to access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, the EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth, and employment.

Aegon Asset Management is an active global asset management firm with investment capabilities which span public and private markets across fixed income, real assets, equities, and multi-asset platforms. Our 350 investment professionals serve a global client-base of sophisticated investors, managing and advising on assets of USD 384 billion (€325 / £286 bn), (as 30 September 2025).

Across platforms, we share a common belief in fundamental, research-driven active management, underpinned by effective risk management and a commitment to responsible investment. Our 1,100 employees work across Europe, the Americas and Asia. To learn more, visit aegonam.com

The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps to crowd in private investment for the European Union’s strategic priorities such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition.

InvestEU brings all EU financial instruments previously available for supporting investments within the European Union together under one roof, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub, and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is deployed through implementing partners that will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increase their risk-bearing capacity and thus mobilise at least €372 billion in additional investment