Investment & Fund Management

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and ?eská spo?itelna signed an agreement aimed at enhancing lending to innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small mid-caps in the Czech Republic. The specific challenge faced by these businesses was the need for investment and operating capital to finance research, development, and innovation activities. To address this, the EIF provided a guarantee under the InnovFin SME Guarantee initiative, which is supported by the European Commission.

This tailored solution allows ?eská spo?itelna to offer financing totaling approximately CZK 2,800 million (EUR 100 million) over the next two years, specifically targeting innovative companies. The InnovFin SME Guarantee facilitates access to debt financing ranging from €25,000 to €7.5 million, thereby improving the financial conditions for these enterprises. This agreement is significant as it represents one of the first InnovFin SME guarantee signatures in the Czech Republic, contributing to the broader goal of fostering innovation and economic growth in the region.

As a result of this initiative, it is anticipated that more innovative SMEs will benefit from favorable financing conditions, which will enable them to create new business opportunities and strengthen the Czech economy. Previous collaborations between EIF and ?eská spo?itelna have already led to the provision of loans amounting to CZK 2 billion to Czech SMEs, demonstrating a successful track record in supporting innovative projects.