Equity participation

NRW.BANK SME Fund

Equity financing for established medium-sized companies in North Rhine-Westphalia: mezzanine financing or minority participation from €1 to €7 million to strengthen growth and structure.

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline: Ongoing
Application level: Advanced
Region: North Rhine-Westphalia
Company size: Medium-sized enterprises
Funding amount: €1 million to €7 million
Project duration: 60 - 84 months

Funding objective

Support for the growth of medium-sized enterprises through the provision of equity capital, for example for acquisitions, market development, sales expansion, succession planning, production expansions, and diversifications.

Eligible to apply

  • Companies

Funding requirements

  • Registered office or economic focus in North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Good technological or competitive position
  • Positive sales and cash flow development in the past
  • Stable business concept or business model
  • Equity ratio of at least 10% before investment

Description

NRW.BANK Mittelstandsfonds supports established medium-sized companies in North Rhine-Westphalia with tailored equity solutions. Through mezzanine financing or minority participations ranging from €1 to €7 million, the fund strengthens the equity base and supports growth and structural projects. Typical areas of application include acquisitions, market development, and sales expansion, as well as succession planning, production expansions, and diversification. The term is usually 60 to 84 months, and inquiries and applications can be submitted at any time.

Funding is provided to medium-sized companies headquartered or economically focused in North Rhine-Westphalia that possess an attractive technology or competitive position. Requirements include positive revenue and cash flow development in the past, a stable business model, and an equity ratio of at least 10% before investment. By providing equity capital, the fund not only enables the realization of significant investment measures but also a long-term improvement of the balance sheet structure. NRW.BANK offers interested companies competent advice and individual contract design to sustainably strengthen future viability and creditworthiness.

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