European Angels Fund (EAF)
The European Angels Fund (EAF) is a special funding program that provides equity to business angels and other non-institutional investors for financing innovative SMEs in their start-up, early, or growth phases. Through a 50/50 co-investment, the EAF strengthens the investment capacity of these angel investors and specifically promotes young, high-growth companies, particularly in Germany and other European countries.
Who is Funded: Target Groups and Objectives of the European Angels Fund
The European Angels Fund (EAF) primarily targets business angels and other non-institutional investors to strengthen their investments in innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The goal is to encourage the commitment of these investors and to provide capital to high-growth SMEs in their start-up, early, or growth phases. The program operates on a multi-national level with a focus on Germany, but has also expanded to other European countries.
What is Funded: Project Types and Sectors
The European Angels Fund (EAF) promotes equity investments in innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through business angels and non-institutional investors. The investments are theme-agnostic and can be made in all SME sectors. The focus is on new investments in companies in their start-up, early, or growth phases, thereby supporting the development and market launch of innovative products and processes.
Type and Scope of Funding in the European Angels Fund
The European Angels Fund (EAF) offers equity participations in the form of a 50/50 co-investment, with participation amounts ranging between EUR 250,000 and EUR 5 million. The fund has a total budget of EUR 285 million and represents a continuous financing instrument that operates on a matching basis and is not tied to fixed application deadlines.
Conditions and Requirements for EAF Participations
To participate in the European Angels Fund (EAF), business angels and non-institutional investors must meet certain requirements, particularly regarding their experience, access to investments, and financial capacity. Investments must be new investments in innovative SMEs and can be made in all sectors. The fund is managed by the European Investment Fund (EIF), which implies a specific application procedure.
Application Process for the European Angels Fund
The application process for the European Angels Fund (EAF) is direct and straightforward: interested business angels and non-institutional investors can submit their inquiries directly to the European Investment Fund (EIF). The EIF is the managing body of the fund and processes inquiries in a continuous procedure.
Legal Basis of the European Angels Fund
The European Angels Fund (EAF) is based on close cooperation between the European Investment Fund (EIF) and the ERP Special Fund, which is managed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (now BMWK). This joint financing forms the legal and financial basis of the fund, which is thus anchored within a European and national framework.
Similar Programs
Funding Overview
Funding Status:
Open
Maximum Amount:
€5,000,000
Allocated Budget:
EUR 270 million (from ERP/EIF umbrella fund) plus EUR 15 million (from LfA Förderbank Bayern) = EUR 285 million
Deadline:
always open
Open Until:
Ongoing
Award Channel:
Financial Instruments
Region:
Germany, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Austria, Spain
Beneficiaries:
Business Creation & Stabilization, Research & Innovation (open to all themes), Corporate Finance
Application Type:
Single Applicant
Funding Stages:
Experimental Development, Feasibility Study, Prototyping, Product Development, Market Introduction, Scaling, Commercialization
Funding Provider
Program Level:
Multi-Country
Funding Body:
European Investment Fund (EIF), Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) [via ERP Special Fund]
Managed By:
European Investment Fund (EIF)
Additional Partners:
Business Angels Network Germany (BAND) (Development), LfA Förderbank Bayern (Co-financing)
Website: