InvestEU: EIF and Avanseo sign portfolio guarantee of up to €38 million for better credit market access for microenterprises and individuals

• The EIF guarantee will support financing for microenterprises and people with poor access to credit markets.
• The transaction is backed by the InvestEU programme’s thematic guarantee Microfinance, Social and Skills.
• The InvestEU programme aims to mobilise over €372 billion in additional investment for EU policy priorities over the period 2021-27. 

The European Investment Fund (EIF) has signed a portfolio guarantee with Avanseo through its private debt fund TPE Treso 2. Backed by InvestEU, the arrangement will support up to €38 million in new financing for microenterprises and natural persons experiencing difficulties in accessing credit markets.

“Micro-entrepreneurs are the backbone of the European economy — but they are also the hardest hit during difficult economic times. This agreement with Avanseo, backed by the InvestEU programme, is a great example of how digitalisation and technology can be used to channel resources rapidly and more efficiently towards micro-businesses. More than 2 000 micro-businesses all over France stand to benefit from this innovative financing,” said EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt.

“Facilitating access to finance for microenterprises has always been our mission,” said Amine Hebri, President of Avanseo. “Our portfolio guarantee with the EIF strengthens this mission, further empowering small businesses as they strive for continuous growth and resilience.”

Background information

The EIF is part of the EIB Group. It supports Europe’s SMEs by improving their access to finance through a wide range of selected financial intermediaries, such as banks, guarantee and leasing companies, microcredit providers and private equity funds. The EIF designs and offers equity and debt financing instruments fostering EU objectives in support of entrepreneurship, growth, innovation, research and development, the green and digital transitions and employment.

The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investment for EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. InvestEU brings together under one roof a multitude of existing EU financial instruments to support investment in the European Union, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is deployed through implementing partners that will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the investment projects of these partners, increasing their risk-bearing capacity and mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investment.

Founded in 2017, Avanseo is a microfinance institution and licenced asset manager. Since its founding, it has issued more than €15 million in loans (through its first fund, TPE Treso 1), mainly to support financial inclusion, foster individual entrepreneurship and give business owners with a bankruptcy event on their record a second chance. Thanks to the InvestEU guarantee, Avanseo can increase the acceptance rates, social impact and maturity financing volumes for its second fund. Avanseo offers a BDS package[BE1] , including cash management advisory, cost-saving advisory and financial best practices by sector peers.

Press contacts

European Investment Bank Group: Christophe Alix | M: +33 6 11 81 30 99 | c.alix@eib.org