Profile

We support Europe’s SMEs by improving their access to finance through a wide range of selected financial intermediaries. To this end, we design, promote and implement equity and debt financial instruments which specifically target SMEs. In this role, we foster EU objectives in support of entrepreneurship, growth, innovation, research and development, and employment. Our response to the Coronavirus outbreak Banks & Guarantee Institutions Venture Capital & Private Equity funds Loan funds Social Impact investors Inclusive finance providers Climate and infrastructure funds Business Angels Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) Journalists Job Seekers Institutional investors Who we are Our mission We are a specialist provider of risk finance to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) across Europe. We are part of the EIB Group. Our shareholders are the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and a wide range of public and private banks and financial institutions. We carry out our activities using either our own resources or those provided by the European Investment Bank, the European Commission, by EU Member States or other third parties. By developing and offering targeted financial products to our intermediaries, such as banks, guarantee and leasing companies, micro-credit providers and private equity funds, we enhance SMEs access to finance. Our objectives By taking SME risk, we pursue our two main statutory objectives: fostering EU objectives, notably in the field of entrepreneurship, growth, innovation, research and development, employment and regional development; generating an appropriate return for our shareholders, through a commercial pricing policy and a balance of fee and risk based income. Our impact More than 1 million SMEs have benefited from enhanced access to finance through financial instruments managed by EIF. On www.eif4smes.com you will find an interactive map that identifies all the SMEs that have received EU-support from EIF. The EIF in 2020 The pandemic has brought about unprecedented levels of uncertainty, insecurity and isolation, as well as an economic downturn that is hitting small businesses hard. Despite market difficulties, and thanks to our valuable partnerships with EU Institutions, national and regional governments, and our financial intermediaries, the EIF has deployed a record amount of €12.9 billion in commitments to the market. Responding to covid-19 Our continued engagement for financing of European SMEs was driven by the quick COVID-19 response measures – now extended across the main guarantee instruments until 30 June 2021; as well as our experience in delivering EFSI / the Investment Plan for Europe whose commitment period ended at 31 December 2020 after nearly six years of full successful deployment. Further new, bilateral or multilateral measures launched in co-operation with EU Member States have served to address local challenges or complement Europe-wide efforts to alleviate SME financing needs from start-up to scale-up. Overall, for every euro channelled via the EIF in 2020, over five euros made their way to small businesses across Europe. Launching the EGF together with the EIB Alongside these efforts, the € 25 billion Pan-European Guarantee Fund (EGF) was designed and launched in the second half of 2020 as an EIB Group initiative. The EGF aims to fight the negative economic effects of the crisis, and is a testament of collaboration between the EIB Group and the Member States that financed it. In the same way as other financial instruments managed by the EIB and the EIF, the EGF is deployed through banks, funds, national promotion institutions and direct lending to SMEs and funds across Europe. Supporting new and emerging areas We have remained dedicated to fostering innovation with clear priorities in the fintech, deep tech, space, blue economy, life sciences, health care and agribusiness sectors, while also ensuring support for traditional businesses in their digital transformation. The EIF has created and deployed novel financial instruments that open up additional financing opportunities in skills and education, the creative and cultural sectors and overall, in making social impact, sustainability and social impact important aspects of our everyday lives. We have taken concrete steps to adapt to the EIB Climate Bank Roadmap. Work at the EIF A European environment EIF currently employs approximately more than 585 staff members, highly qualified and motivated professionals, expert in their respective fields, actively contributing to the organisation’s success. We recruit talented people from the European Union Member States and Candidate countries making EIF a culturally diverse and interesting place to work. EIF's headquarters is in Luxembourg, but we also have a few small offices based in other European countries, dealing with specific mandates. Challenging roles Our staff are highly educated with a rich professional experience bringing creativity and innovation to the organisation. We offer challenging career opportunities mainly for venture capital and securitisation professionals, as well as for other specialised profiles and support functions. Career development and internal mobility We encourage our staff to keep their skills up-to-date and to develop additional competencies through internal courses, on-the-job training or work-related studies, seminars and conferences. Under certain circumstances, we grant a mid-career break to undertake studies. For staff members wishing to face new challenges, we also offer the opportunity to change roles within the EIF or the European Investment Bank with which EIF forms the EIB Group. Our Values Excellence Teamwork Integrity Responsibility Accountability Customer-driven All staff participated in the elaboration of our core values which are observed in the activities of the entire organisation.