Investment & Fund Management

The European Investment Fund (EIF) partnered with Raiffeisen-Leasing Polska S.A. to address the financing challenges faced by innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Poland. The specific issue was the limited access to finance for these SMEs, which hindered their ability to innovate and grow. To tackle this, the EIF provided guarantees under the InnovFin and COSME agreements, enabling Raiffeisen-Leasing Polska to offer leases to innovative companies over a two-year period.

The tailored solution involved leveraging EU support through the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), which aimed to generate a portfolio of approximately PLN 150 million (around EUR 34 million) in bank loans for these SMEs. This initiative was designed to enhance the financial resources available to Polish companies, thereby fostering innovation and competitiveness in the local market.

As a result of this collaboration, Raiffeisen-Leasing Polska was able to significantly improve access to finance for innovative start-ups and SMEs, contributing to the growth of the Polish economy. The EIF's Chief Executive highlighted that this agreement would facilitate the provision of EU-backed finance, ultimately supporting the development and innovativeness of Polish businesses. The initiative not only aimed to boost the local market but also positioned Raiffeisen-Leasing Polska as a leader in utilizing EU financial instruments among Polish leasing companies.