Support to Europe’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by improving their access finance. EIF primarily designs, promotes and implements equity and debt financial instruments which specifically target this market segment. EIF’s support to enterprises is provided through a wide range of selected financial intermediaries (Venture and Growth Capital funds, banks, guarantees institutions, microfinance institutions etc.) across Europe.

EIF invests in venture capital, growth and mezzanine funds that support SMEs. EIF investment activities also cover technology transfer and business incubators.

EIF fosters EU objectives in support of entrepreneurship, growth, innovation, research and development, and employment.

EIF is a public-private partnership with a unique shareholding structure combining public and private investors. EIF shareholding structure was modified in 2000, when the EIB became the majority shareholder, culminating in the formation of the EIB Group. Following the first capital increase subscription period, and as at 13 October 2014, of the 1,500 newly authorised shares, 1,161 have been issued. The following percentages result from the current breakdown of shareholdings:

• The European Investment Bank (EIB) (63.7%)
• The European Union, represented by the European Commission (24.3%)
• Financial institutions from European Union Member States, and Turkey (12.0%)

339 shares are not yet issued, having been allocated to the European Union for subsequent subscriptions from 2015-2017.