The EBRD is the single largest investor in private equity funds mainly focussing on growth and expansion capital within our region.
The Equity Funds team works with all types of funds, focussing on:
Reaching SMEs. We aim to make equity financing available to companies which the Bank would not reach otherwise, focusing on small- and medium-sized companies.
Building institutional capacity in the region. We support both first time and successor funds which can demonstrate strong management team potential. We also focus on building private equity activities in early transition countries as well as in under-penetrated markets such as SEE, Caucasus, Central Asia.
Developing capacity through innovation. While maintaining a core focus on “generalist” private equity funds, the Bank aims to underpin the development of industry capacity through diversification and innovation. We selectively support highly skilled local and international management teams in cleantech, renewable energy and energy-efficiency sectors.
We foster local innovation and technological development by supporting “best in class” local and international sponsors in specialist technology focussed venture capital and private equity fund managers. We also facilitate the development of innovative financing tools through the support of selected niche funds offering more specialised products, such as mezzanine capital, infrastructure and sector-specific funds.
Attracting institutional investors. We encourage investment by institutional investors and government agencies in private equity in the region by sharing our extensive in-house experience with fund managers and institutional investors.
Increasing transparency. We work to increase the transparency, visibility and attractiveness of private equity industries in our region for domestic and international investors, including through cooperation, with local and international industry associations and organisations.
In addition to investing into private equity funds directly, we also manage a Co-Investment Facility. The Facility enables established fund managers (both EBRD and non-EBRD funds) to propose co-investment opportunities to the Bank. The Co-Investment Facility has been successful in bridging the financing gap in the region and has been found by many private equity funds to be a useful source of additional capital.
