You are here: For the applicantsNews and eventsNewsHungarian and international RDI news
EIF and UniCredit support for innovative SMEs in CEE increased to half a billion euro
10 May 2018
Modified: 10 May 2018
Reading time: 2 minute(s)
The European Investment Fund (EIF) and UniCredit have signed an agreement to increase the InnovFin SME guarantee aimed at improving access to finance for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small mid-caps in eight countries.

This new agreement will allow UniCredit to offer, both via its banks and leasing entities, additional financing worth EUR 340 million to innovative companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Serbia. Together with the initially signed portfolio of EUR 160 million, SMEs and mid-caps across the above countries will have access to a total of half a billion euro.

This transaction benefits from the support of Horizon 2020, the EU's Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), at the heart of the Investment Plan for Europe.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe's micro, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) by helping them access finance. EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth, and employment. More information on EIF's work under EFSI is available: http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/efsi/index.htm

Details: European Investment Fund - How to apply for EFSI financing

Source: European Investment Fund - #InvestEU: EIF and UniCredit support for innovative SMEs in CEE increased to half a billion euro

Updated: 10 May 2018
Feedback
Was this page helpful?