Launch of Banque Wormser Frères’ venture loan fund

The venture loan is a non-dilutive form of financing that enables innovative companies to maintain their high growth levels. Wormser Frères Banque pioneered the venture loan concept on the French market and has already financed nearly 20 businesses. The creation of the venture loan fund is the next step in the development of this activity.

The fund, which has a term of six years, is about to reach its maximum target of €20 million. It will support between 15 and 20 companies. As a sign of its confidence, Banque Wormser Frères has joined forces with its clients and topped up the fund by almost half. The fund's portfolio of companies already includes getquanty, axonaut and epresspack, and other investments are already underway. 

For investors, this is an opportunity to invest in a fund aligned with the bank, to diversify their holdings by investing in an unlisted portfolio, and to support and follow innovative and dynamic entrepreneurs. This investment provides an attractive yield, controlled risk and a quick return of funds. 

“Our fund has been an immediate success and we are about to reach our target of €20 million. This enthusiasm shows the desire of many investors to diversify with this new asset class and to their choices meaning by directly supporting the projects of entrepreneurs involved. We are delighted that this fund confirms the value of the venture loan concept that we imported to France six years ago to both entrepreneurs and investors,” said CEO Marc Wormser.

“We are delighted and proud to support Banque Wormser Frères and to help them develop venture loans in France. This instrument will provide the managers of beneficiary companies with non-dilutive financing enabling them to keep control of their strategy while offering financial visibility so they can put all their efforts into the operational development of their business,” added EIF Chief Executive Alain Godard.

Background information:

Banque Wormser Frères

Banque Wormser Frères, founded in 1936, is one of the only banks in France that is still independent, privately owned and managed by its founders. It advises entrepreneurs, real estate professionals and families, offering them effective solutions for private or professional financing and investment in listed, unlisted and real estate assets. Its family character means it can maintain the values established by its founders: ethics, transparency, proximity, responsiveness and flexibility. It is still among the first financial institutions to adapt and take on many new developments in the banking business. Putting innovation to work for its clients has been the core of its business for four generations.

EIF

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its main goal is to support microenterprises and SMEs by helping them to access financing. The EIF designs and deploys venture capital, growth capital, guarantee and microfinance instruments specifically targeted at this market segment. Its activities foster EU objectives promoting innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth and job creation.

Website: www.eib.org / www.eif.org

Press contact:

EIF: Christophe Alix, c.alix @eib.org, tel.: +352 4379 84303, mobile: +33 6 11 81 30 99

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