ERP-EIF Dachfonds goes Transatlantic

The ERP-EIF Dachfonds has made a cornerstone commitment in Atlas VII, an early-stage technology and life sciences VC fund. Operating internationally, Atlas VII will invest in technology and life sciences businesses mainly in the US and Europe. The fund is managed by the Atlas Venture team out of its offices in London, Boston, Paris and Munich which provide an ideal set-up for implementing a transatlantic strategy.

We are pleased to join Atlas VII as an investor and to be able to back such a well-established and reputable team with a proven record said Gunter Fischer, Investment Manager at the ERP-EIF Dachfonds. We are strongly convinced by Atlas Venture's international strategy. Indeed Atlas Venture, with a presence in both Europe and the US, is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities arising in and between these markets and to support and build global champions. With a proven track record on both sides of the Atlantic, Atlas Venture has become a distinguished and sought-after partner for VCs and companies who want to exploit the transatlantic connection.

About European Investment Fund - Innovative finance to finance innovation

As the only European Union body with a specialised focus on SME financing, the European Investment Fund has an essential role to play in pursuing core EU objectives such as innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth, and job creation.

EIF's activity is centred upon two areas, Venture Capital (VC) and Guarantees:

• EIF is a fund-of-funds investing in venture, notably in early-stage high-tech funds that support SMEs,
• EIF provides guarantees to banks and guarantee schemes for SMEs.

EIF's AAA/Aaa/AAA ratings were reconfirmed in 2006 by the rating agencies Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch.

VC total commitments amounted to EUR 3.8bn at 30 November 2006. With investments in some 243 funds, EIF is a leading player in European venture due to the scale and the scope of its investments, especially in high-tech and early-stage segments, investing pari passu with private sector investors. EIF has established itself as a key institution in pushing innovative instruments for SMEs, including developing best practice and corporate governance.

About ERP

The ERP-EIF Dachfonds - the fund EIF manages on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) and European Recovery Programme - invests in VC funds focusing on mainly, but not exclusively, German-based high-tech early stage companies. EUR 245m were committed in 8 funds, which in turn helped raise another EUR 854m from private investors, highlighting EIF's leveraging effect on the market.

About Atlas Venture

Atlas Venture is a leading early-stage international venture capital firm that invests in technology and life sciences businesses in the US, Europe and Asia. Since inception in 1980, its partners have helped build over 300 companies in more than 15 different countries. In the past decade, 40 portfolio companies have been acquired and 39 are now public companies with an aggregate market capitalization of over $12 billion. Atlas Venture manages over USD 2.5 billion in capital through offices in Boston, London, Munich, and Paris.
For more information, visit www.atlasventure.com.

For more information, please contact Delphine Munro, EIF Marketing Communications Manager, d.munro@eif.org, +352 42 66 88 237.