Equity Investments

The equity participation offerings of the Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen are aimed at founders as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Hesse that wish to strengthen their equity base and creditworthiness. Silent and open participations enable a flexible increase in capital without additional loan collateral. The programs cover investments in fixed assets, working capital, as well as start-up and founding costs. Support is also provided for expansion projects and succession arrangements. The federal government and the state of Hesse provide long-term capital for this purpose, which is oriented towards the conditions of private co-investors or rating-dependent parameters. The liquidity participations can be applied for alongside bank loans, provided that the overall financing is secured by additional capital providers, and restructuring loans as well as debt rescheduling are excluded.

For the application via the house bank, a meaningful business plan, the latest annual financial statement, a current business management evaluation (BWA), and a detailed description of the project must be submitted. The review is ongoing, so there are no deadlines to meet. Creditworthiness, expected equity strengthening, and economic viability are the central evaluation criteria. The participations not only cover the financing needs but also improve the rating structure, making further external funds more easily accessible. Entrepreneurs retain control over their operational business at all times and benefit from a network of financial partners, associations, and academia. The WIBank programs thus make a significant contribution to strengthening the medium-sized sector in Hesse and positioning it for the future.