Investment & Fund Management
The European Investment
Full Credential Description
The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Enterprise Ireland launched the EUR 20 million European Angels Fund Ireland (EAF Ireland) to enhance the investment capacity of approved business angels and non-institutional investors in Irish SMEs. This initiative specifically addresses the funding challenges faced by internationally oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland, which often struggle to secure financing during their start-up and expansion phases.
The EAF Ireland fund co-invests alongside approved Irish Business Angels, providing investments ranging from EUR 250,000 to EUR 4 million over a ten-year period. This co-investment framework allows business angels to maintain full control over their investment decisions while benefiting from the financial support of the EIF. The fund aims to double the investment capacity of business angels, thereby facilitating greater access to necessary funding for SMEs to grow and expand their exports.
Since its inception, the EAF Ireland has played a crucial role in the Irish funding ecosystem, which has seen a significant increase in the number of investments made by business angels. In 2015 alone, the Halo Business Angel Network (HBAN) reported that Irish business angels made 40 investments totaling 8.8 million in start-up and early-stage companies. The EAF Ireland initiative is expected to further stimulate this trend, providing a vital source of financing that supports entrepreneurial performance and job creation in Ireland.