InnovFin Equity - managed by EIF - is, in addition to the InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility, part of “InnovFin – EU Finance for Innovators”, an initiative launched by the European Commission and the EIB Group in the framework of Horizon 2020.

Via InnovFin Equity, EIF provides equity investments and co-investments to or alongside funds focusing on companies in their pre-seed, seed, and start-up phases operating in innovative sectors covered by Horizon 2020, including life sciences, clean energy and high-tech. Under InnovFin Equity, EIF targets investments in around 45 funds, mobilising a total amount of EUR 4-5 bn to be invested in enterprises located or active in the EU and Horizon 2020 Associated Countries (Participating Countries).

InnovFin Equity contributes to the Pan-European Venture Capital Fund-of-Funds programme. InnovFin Equity is a successor to the early stage window of High Growth and Innovative SME facility (GIF 1) under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) implemented in 2007-2013.

InnovFin Equity comprises four different products:

InnovFin Technology Transfer (InnovFin TT) supports technology transfer projects or technology rights, through commercial demonstration and commercialisation, by targeting investments into technology transfer funds operating in the pre-seed (including proof of concept) and seed stages. Its objective is to accelerate technological innovations, especially in the areas of key enabling technologies (including, but not limited to ICT, nanotechnology, bio-tech, clean tech, and med tech) and other Horizon 2020 objectives, such as IP promotion / exploitation (licensing, sale of patents) and spin-outs, spin-offs or joint venture activities. Read more in the leaflet

InnovFin Business Angels (InnovFin BA) targets funds pooled by business angels or business angel co-investment funds investing into innovative early-stage enterprises and social enterprises established or active in Participating Countries operating in the sectors covered by Horizon 2020, including social impact. InnovFin BA is open for experienced business angels wishing to team up and set up their first BA funds, also in countries with less developed ecosystems for early stage investments. Read more in the leaflet

InnovFin Venture Capital (InnovFin VC) targets investments into venture capital funds that provide funding to enterprises (including social enterprises) in their early stage operating in Horizon 2020 sectors. Under InnovFin VC EIF seeks to invest in first closing of the funds. It can also invest in other closings, especially if its intervention is catalytic to further fundraising. “First-time” or “emerging” investment teams seeking for the first time institutional fundraising are also eligible. Via selected venture capital funds, EIF provides risk capital financing to enterprises in their seed, start-up and other early stage phases investing predominantly in their seed and series A rounds. Read more in the leaflet

InnovFin Fund-of-Funds (InnovFin FoF) targets investments into fund of funds holding or targeting to build a portfolio of investments into underlying funds with significant early stage focus. It also provides significant funding to separately managed Pan European VC Fund-of-fund programme. EIF seeks to invest in fund-of-funds which have wide geographical coverage of more than 3 countries and focus on early stage or follow balanced strategies with at least 30% early stage target allocation. Read more in the leaflet

Do you have questions about Innovfin Equity? Read the FAQ and find answers to the most common questions.

How to apply

For financial institutions:

Are you interested in becoming a financial intermediary under InnovFin Equity? Visit the Single EU Equity Financial Instrument and EFSI Equity Instrument for more information. EIF selects financial intermediaries according to a standard process involving due diligence and proof of compliance with relevant standards and legislation. For further questions, interested financial intermediaries may contact EUequityInstrument@eif.org

For final beneficiaries (SMEs, Small Mid-Caps, including Social Enterprises):

Download here the list of financial intermediaries currently operating under InnovFin Equity. For information about finance available in your country under further EU initiatives, please visit http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/funding-grants/access-to-finance/

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