The European Investment Fund among the investors in HI CrescItalia PMI Fund

Milan, 27 Afrench one dated at the 20th april 2017 – The European Investment Fund (EIF) joins existing investors, including the manager, in HI CrescItalia PMI Fund to bring the total amount under management to EUR 64.5 million.

HI CrescItalia PMI Fund aims to reaching an even larger size and other institutional investors will be invited to join it in the coming months.

HI CrescItalia PMI Fund, an Italian debt fund managed by Hedge Invest SGR with CrescItalia Holding as advisor, focuses on providing long term financing to Italian SMEs and seeks to build a broadly diversified portfolio of companies with strong management capabilities and entrepreneurial skills, supported by sound financials and governance.

“EIF’s commitment to HI CrescItalia PMI Fund demonstrates strong support for the manager's goal of expanding the fund size, increasing diversification and providing long term financing for Italian SMEs. This initiative, under the EREM programme, is in line with EIF's mission and strategy to enhance SME access to finance and to facilitate the availability of non-bank financing in Europe”, stated Pier Luigi Gilibert, EIF Chief Executive.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome among our partners the EIF, an influential and sophisticated investor that has shown trust in our investment process and strategy; we believe that, notwithstanding some issues resulting from its infancy, the Italian private debt market is here to stay and has a significant potential for growth as non-bank lending becomes more established, following international standards”, said Paolo Massi, vice chairman of Hedge Invest SGR.

Hedge Invest SGR, an independent asset management company focused on alternative investments, was one of the first alternative asset managers to be authorised in Italy where is currently a leader by AuM. Hedge Invest manages funds that differ by strategy and risk-return profile and with the fund it entered into the private lending sector with a dedicated team.

For more information: www.hedgeinvest.it

Press contact EIF                                                               
David Yormesor                                                                   
d.yormesor@eif.org                                                 
Tel. +352 24 85 81 346  

Press contact Hedge Invest SGR  
Marcella Verini    
mverini@verinieassociati.com                                                  
Tel. +39 02 4539 5500