Category Archives: Small Business

Small Business Press Releases & News distributed via EuropaWire

EIF Invests €90 Million to Boost Portugal’s Tech Start-ups and Strengthen Cybersecurity

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund (EIF) has committed €90 million to three venture capital funds focused on accelerating the growth of tech start-ups in Portugal’s deep tech and cybersecurity sectors. This investment, announced at the 2024 Web Summit in … Read the full press release

SIX Group to Acquire Aquis Exchange in Strategic Move to Strengthen European Exchange Capabilities

(IN BRIEF) SIX Group has reached an agreement to acquire Aquis Exchange in a cash offer valued at 727 pence per share. The acquisition, which will enhance SIX’s European exchange capabilities, combines Aquis’s next-generation technology with SIX’s existing trading, data, … Read the full press release

EIF and Lithuania’s ILTE Launch €191.6 Million Initiative to Boost Business Financing Through Private Credit Funds

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Lithuania’s national development institution, UAB ILTE, are investing €191.6 million to support private credit funds, providing alternative financing for Lithuanian businesses. With equal contributions of €95.8 million each, the partnership aims to … Read the full press release

EBRD and EU Launch €120M SME Go Green Programme to Boost Sustainable Investments in Serbia

(IN BRIEF) The EBRD, with EU support, has launched the SME Go Green programme to finance green economy investments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Serbia and the Western Balkans. Starting with €120 million in funding, with plans to … Read the full press release

SACE and Eni Partner to Drive ESG Transformation for Italian SMEs through Integrated Open-es Alliance

(IN BRIEF) SACE and Eni have formed a strategic partnership to boost the sustainability and competitiveness of Italian businesses, particularly SMEs. Through the integration of SACE’s ESG Hub and Eni’s Open-es platform, the alliance will provide companies with enhanced tools … Read the full press release

EBRD and OTP Bank Moldova Launch €30 Million Financing Boost for Moldovan MSMEs, Focusing on Agriculture and Trade

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has introduced a pioneering risk-sharing facility in Moldova with OTP Bank, enabling €30 million in new financing aimed at supporting the country’s MSMEs, particularly in agriculture and trade. This EU-backed … Read the full press release

Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring Strengthens German Market Presence with Merca Leasing Acquisition

(IN BRIEF) Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring (CAL&F) has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire Merca Leasing, a leading independent leasing company in Germany, pending regulatory approvals. This acquisition aligns with CAL&F’s strategy to enhance its presence in the … Read the full press release

Siemens and CELUS Unite to Transform PCB Design for Engineers and SMBs with AI Automation

(IN BRIEF) Siemens Digital Industries Software has partnered with CELUS to bring AI-driven automation to PCB design, providing an accessible, cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and independent engineers. This collaboration combines Siemens’ advanced PCB design technology with … Read the full press release

Vienna Insurance Group Launches Cyber Risk Solutions to Strengthen Cybersecurity for SMEs

(IN BRIEF) Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) has launched Cyber Risk Solutions GmbH (CyRiSo) to support small and medium-sized businesses in managing cyber risks. CyRiSo provides a range of services, including risk assessments, incident response, and ransomware protection, helping clients mitigate … Read the full press release

Adyen and BCG Report Highlights $185 Billion Growth Potential for SaaS Platforms in Embedded Finance

(IN BRIEF) A joint report from Adyen and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) reveals a $185 billion market opportunity for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms through embedded finance, showing a 25% increase since 2022. Driven by favorable interest rates and increased demand from … Read the full press release

Portuguese Startup Outlaw Parts Culture Launches Online Store, Revolutionizing Classic Car Parts Shopping

(IN BRIEF) Outlaw Parts Culture, a leading supplier of premium classic Volkswagen car parts, has launched its new online platform, offering a comprehensive destination for Volkswagen and Porsche enthusiasts. The store features over 10,000 carefully curated parts, including engine components, … Read the full press release

EIF Unlocks €500 Million to Support Romanian SMEs with Competitive and Sustainable Financing

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund (EIF) has finalized agreements with seven Romanian banks, unlocking an additional €500 million in financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Romania. The agreements will allow banks to offer SMEs better loan terms, … Read the full press release

EU Businesses Lead Climate and Digital Investments Despite Economic Challenges, EIB Survey Shows

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank’s (EIB) 2024 Investment Survey reveals that over 60% of EU companies have already invested in climate change mitigation and adaptation, while more than 70% have embraced digital transformation. The survey, covering 12,000 firms across … Read the full press release

EIB and Deutsche Leasing Partner to Boost Green Transformation of Small Businesses with €200 Million Financing

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Deutsche Leasing have signed the second tranche of a €560 million project to support the green transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Germany and Eastern Europe. With €200 … Read the full press release

New €86M EIF and Malta Initiative to Boost SME Competitiveness and Unlock €60M in Investments

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund (EIF) and the Government of Malta have launched a new €86 million initiative to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malta. The first phase involves a €30 million guarantee through Bank of Valletta, … Read the full press release

EIB and KCB Partner to Boost Kenyan SMEs, Empower Women and Youth with €230M Investment

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) and KCB Bank Kenya have formed a €230 million (KShs. 32 billion) partnership to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on women and youth-led businesses in Kenya. The investment, … Read the full press release

EIF and LfA Förderbank Bayern Partner to Unlock €400 Million in Financing for Bavarian SMEs’ Innovation and Sustainability

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund (EIF) has partnered with LfA Förderbank Bayern to expand a guarantee programme aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bavaria. With a €13 million counter-guarantee from the EIF, the programme will enable … Read the full press release

International Partners Drive Ukraine’s Reconstruction and Resilience Through EC-EIB-UNDP Collaboration

(IN BRIEF) The “United in Ukraine’s Recovery” conference in Brussels brought together the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Ukrainian local authorities to discuss ongoing reconstruction efforts. The partnership has been instrumental … Read the full press release

New Guarantee Agreement Empowers Danish SMEs to Pursue Green Investments

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Ringkjøbing Landbobank have entered a groundbreaking guarantee agreement to facilitate DKK 320 million in funding for green investments by Danish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps. Supported by the European Commission’s … Read the full press release

Strengthening Collaboration: CEB and EIB Group Unite to Tackle Social Challenges in Europe

(IN BRIEF) On October 14, 2024, the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and the EIB Group, which comprises the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), convened in Paris to enhance collaboration in tackling the growing … Read the full press release