Tag Archives: SMEs

EIB and Hellenic Republic Celebrate Completion of Greek Guarantee Fund Supporting Over 800 Businesses

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Hellenic Republic have concluded the Greek Guarantee Fund (GGF), a major financial initiative that has supported over 800 SMEs and mid-cap firms across Greece since its launch in 2014. Despite difficult … Read the full press release

EBRD and Partners Unlock €55 Million for SAHAM Bank’s Green Financing Initiative

(IN BRIEF) The EBRD, supported by the EU, GCF, and Canada through HIPCA, has extended up to €55 million in green financing to SAHAM Bank under Morocco’s Decarbonisation and Climate Resilience programme; this GEFF Plus package—comprising €6.25 million from GCF … Read the full press release

Aging SME Owners in Germany Drive a 20‑Point Investment Gap, KfW Study Finds

(IN BRIEF) KfW’s latest SME Panel analysis shows a persistent investment gap between younger and older business owners in Germany: from 2004 to 2023, firms led by under‑40 entrepreneurs reinvested 58 percent on average, compared to 38 percent for over‑60 owners. Driven … Read the full press release

Spain Joins InvestEU Export Credit Guarantee to Boost Spanish-Ukraine Trade and Reconstruction

(IN BRIEF) Spain has joined nine other EU countries in the InvestEU Ukraine Export Credit Guarantee Facility, signing on via Cesce and ICO/FIEM to support Spanish SMEs and mid-caps exporting machinery, construction materials, technologies, and services to Ukraine. Backed by … Read the full press release

Romania’s Exim Banca Romanească Secures €43.75 Million Guarantee to Boost Exports to Ukraine Reconstruction

(IN BRIEF) Exim Banca Romanească has joined the InvestEU Ukraine Export Credit Guarantee Facility, making Romania the tenth EU country to participate alongside nine others. The initiative, backed by the EIF within the EIB Group, provides guarantees to SMEs and … Read the full press release

Latvia’s Altum Joins €300 Million EU Guarantee Scheme to Boost Exports for Ukraine Reconstruction

(IN BRIEF) Latvia’s finance institution Altum has signed up for the InvestEU Ukraine Export Credit Guarantee Facility, becoming the tenth EU country to do so alongside nine others. The facility, backed by the EIF and part of the EIB Group, … Read the full press release

Catalan SMEs to Benefit from €100 Million EIB–ICF Green Investment Loan

(IN BRIEF) The EIB and ICF have launched a €100 million loan—the initial tranche of a total €200 million facility—to finance sustainability-focused projects by Catalan SMEs. ICF will use these funds to underwrite investments in renewable energy systems, energy-efficiency retrofits, … Read the full press release

German SMEs Rely on Promotional Funds for 22 Percent of Their Climate Investments in 2023, KfW Analysis Shows

(IN BRIEF) The 2023 KfW Climate Barometer special analysis shows that German SMEs now finance 22 percent of their climate investments through public promotional funds—up three points since 2021—while promotional support makes up only 13 percent of overall SME investment. … Read the full press release

EIB Invests €21 Million in DanAds to Democratize Premium Ad Inventory for SMEs

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank is extending a €21 million venture debt loan to adtech firm DanAds to scale its self-serve, AI-powered platform that automates ad sales directly within publisher websites. This financing, under InvestEU, will enable DanAds to … Read the full press release

EIB and Banque El Amana Launch €20 Million Facility to Advance Sustainable Fisheries and Inclusive SME Growth in Mauritania

(IN BRIEF) At FfD4 in Seville, the EIB and Banque El Amana signed a €20 million loan facility to on-lend to Mauritanian SMEs in the seafood value chain. Forty percent of the funds are reserved expressly for women-led (30 percent) … Read the full press release

EIB and CaixaBank Forge €450 Million Guarantee to Mobilize €900 Million for Spanish SMEs and Mid-Caps

(IN BRIEF) The EIB has agreed a €450 million risk-sharing guarantee with CaixaBank, enabling up to €900 million in new loans to Spanish SMEs and mid-caps for working capital, liquidity, and investments in green and digital initiatives. Of this amount, … Read the full press release

EIB-Backed Jiji Hydropower Plant Launch Powers 15,000 Homes and Boosts Burundi’s Growth

(IN BRIEF) Burundi’s President officially opened the Jiji hydroelectric plant in Bururi province, marking a major milestone toward the nation’s energy self-reliance. When paired with the soon-to-be-completed Mulembwe facility, the two dams will deliver 49.5 MW of capacity and 235 … Read the full press release

EU Guarantee Scheme Unlocks €886 Million in Concessional Loans to Boost SMEs and Jobs in the Western Balkans

(IN BRIEF) The EU-funded Western Balkans Guarantee 4 SME Resilience programme has catalyzed €886 million in concessional loans for SMEs in North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, aiming to support 15,000 firms and preserve 140,000 jobs. Backed by a … Read the full press release

EIB Triples Defence SME Financing to €3 Billion with First Deutsche Bank Partnership

(IN BRIEF) The EIB is tripling its intermediated lending for European defence-industry suppliers from €1 billion to €3 billion. It has signed an inaugural €500 million loan agreement with Deutsche Bank, which will provide €1 billion in credit lines to … Read the full press release

EBRD and ProCredit Bank Bulgaria Sign €14 Million InvestEU Deal to Expand Green Loans in Bulgaria and Greece

(IN BRIEF) The EBRD has signed a €14 million portfolio guarantee agreement with ProCredit Bank Bulgaria under the EU’s InvestEU programme, enabling the bank to offer more green loans to businesses in Bulgaria and Greece. This risk-sharing facility will support … Read the full press release

BIL Renews Sponsorship for Creative Young Entrepreneur Luxembourg to Support Emerging Talent

(IN BRIEF) Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL) has renewed its sponsorship for Creative Young Entrepreneur Luxembourg (CYEL), a competition that celebrates the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of young Luxembourgers. As the main sponsor since 2020, BIL remains committed to fostering … Read the full press release

EIF Partners with BluOr Bank to Offer €30 Million in Green Financing for Latvian SMEs

(IN BRIEF) The EIF and BluOr Bank have signed an agreement to provide up to €30 million in financing for Latvian SMEs working on green projects. Supported by the EU’s InvestEU programme, this initiative aims to help businesses improve energy … Read the full press release

EIF and EIFO Sign First Deal Under EU’s Ukraine Export Credit Facility to Boost EU-Ukraine Trade

(IN BRIEF) The EIF and EIFO have signed the first deal under the EU’s Ukraine export credit guarantee facility, which supports European businesses exporting to Ukraine. The facility, offering up to €20 million in guarantees, aims to enhance trade between … Read the full press release

KfW Report: Decline in Germany’s SMEs Engaged in International Trade as Geopolitical and Economic Challenges Mount

(IN BRIEF) Germany’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have significantly reduced their international business activities, with the number of businesses operating abroad falling from 880,000 in 2022 to around 763,000 in 2023. Despite this, businesses that continued to operate internationally … Read the full press release

Metriks AI Successfully Lists on Euronext Growth Milan, Raising €4.2 Million

(IN BRIEF) Metriks AI has successfully listed on Euronext Growth Milan, marking the 11th listing on the exchange for 2025. The AI-focused company raised €4.2 million in its placement phase and aims to expand its integrated digital solutions for SMEs … Read the full press release