Small & medium-sized enterprises & mid-caps
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and medium-sized corporates (mid-caps) are the engine of Europe’s economy:
- They provide two-thirds of private sector employment
- They create 80% of all new jobs
- Smaller firms are often highly innovative
- …and grow quickly
Our long-term commitment
Smaller businesses face particular difficulties in accessing finance, particularly since the crisis. Our support has increased substantially since 2008, boosting our already significant long-term commitment. Countries particularly badly affected have received additional assistance. Our support has added impact by encouraging other private banks to on-lend and pass on advantages to businesses.
Our support:
Loans
All types of investment by smaller businesses are eligible for favourable EIB loans. Support is channelled through our partner network.
Innovative financing options
We use a range of financial techniques to increase the impact of funding from the EIB, the European Commission and others.
Research, development and innovation support
We help with access to debt financing for research, development and innovation projects.
Capital injection & development advice
We invest in venture capital or private equity funds which then help growth.
Microfinance in the EU
Micro-businesses in the EU receive financial and technical assistance from our microfinance programme.
Energy efficiency investment
Green Initiative: energy efficiency for SMEs in new Member States and pre-accession countries. Funded by EIB loans and European Commission grants.
Help to non-EU businesses
We have also supported smaller businesses outside the EU for decades.
*SMEs are broadly defined as having fewer than 250 employees, with mid-caps having between 250 and 3 000 people
