Investment & Fund Management

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and SID Banka launched the Slovene Equity Growth Investment Programme, a EUR 100 million initiative aimed at supporting innovative and fast-growing SMEs and mid-caps in Slovenia. The program, backed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), involves a joint commitment of EUR 50 million from both EIF and SID Banka, with the expectation that this will catalyze additional private-sector investments into equity funds.

A key challenge addressed by this program was the lack of equity financing available to Slovenian companies, which had previously hindered their growth and internationalization. The initiative aims to fill this market gap by supporting the emergence of fund managers focused on investing in Slovenian SMEs and mid-caps. The EIF will manage the program through fund investments and co-investments into targeted companies, with a specific focus on capacity building and market development.

The program is designed to mobilize private equity investments, with EUR 40 million earmarked for a separate selection process targeting emerging teams in Slovenia. This strategic partnership is expected to lead to overall investments exceeding EUR 100 million, significantly enhancing the competitiveness of Slovenian businesses and fostering a sustainable private equity market in the region.