Our investment approach
Expansion and lower mid-market operations contribute to balancing the EIF portfolio by offsetting the higher risk that is usually inherent in early-stage investments. The lower mid-market activity of EIF covers growth, expansion and mid-market funds, offering SMEs in their growth phase access to equity and hybrid debt-equity finance. These funds may be generalist or sector focused, and may be managed either by first-time teams, emerging managers or more established managers.
Our expertise
EIF has a long history of investments in the lower mid-market and has developed a strong expertise and a leading market position in its core segments.
EIF typically participates early in the fundraising process to catalyse and attract other investors’ interest and to help the managers reach viable fund sizes. In this role, EIF also endeavours to promote best practices in the private equity industry.
In recent years EIF has increased its overall level of new commitments for its core market segments, compensating the decrease or disappearance of sponsors and large investors. Additionally, EIF has increased its support to funds managed by emerging or first time teams, thereby increasing the availability of equity and hybrid debt-equity financing for SMEs.
How to work with the EIF
If you are a fund manager and would like to work with us, please refer to our information on how to submit your investment proposal.
Besides providing funding, the EIF can also help you in shaping and optimising your investment proposal by sharing experience and providing expertise in all phases and areas of structuring, raising and managing a fund.
For more information on our LMM activities please contact: dealflow.inv@eif.org
