We support your international expansion projects by acquiring minority stakes in foreign or Italian companies owned by Italian companies and providing shareholder financing.

We do this both with our own resources and, for foreign countries, with public funds managed in agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, through the section of Fund 394 Venture Capital and Participatory Investments and the provision of an interest subsidy on the Italian share in the case of non-EU countries.

In the case of investments in EU countries, we also support corporate investments by using subsidised funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB; www.bei.org).

All businesses making production, commercial or technological innovation investments under an international development programme.

For internationalisation projects, SIMEST will acquire a quota interest in the foreign subsidiary or in the Italian business.

For transactions involving the acquisition of shareholdings in foreign companies only, in addition to SIMEST’s intervention, it is also possible to benefit from the participation of public Venture Capital resources referred to in Law 296/2006, whose remuneration is equal to the ECB rate + a spread commensurate with the size class of the proposing company.

Participation share: SIMEST’s participation, which may include that of Venture Capital, may reach a maximum of 49% of the capital of the investee company and may not exceed that of the Italian shareholder.

Duration of participation: up to 8 years, at the end of which the Italian company (or companies) promoting the investment is expected to repurchase the stake acquired by SIMEST and public venture capital resources, under contractually predetermined conditions.

For investments in non-EU countries, it is also possible to benefit from an interest subsidy, which will have a positive impact on the cost of any financing requested by the proposing company from one or more third-party credit institutions to finance its shareholding in the capital of the foreign company.

The EIB is the long-term financial arm of the European Union, whose task is to contribute to the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of EU Member States. Drawing on its experience and expertise, it finances sound and sustainable projects focusing on innovation and skills, SMEs, climate action and strategic infrastructure in the EU. Detailed information on the EIB Group’s support for SMEs and MidCaps can be found on the EIB’s website at www.bei.org.

Through a specific agreement signed between the EIB and SIMEST, for investments by SMEs and Mid Caps[1] in European Union countries, we participate in the capital of the foreign company, also using subsidised EIB funding for up to 50% of eligible costs, granting the final beneficiary a reduction in the interest rate applied.

EIB funds are expected to be used to support investments in the following areas[2]:

• investments in R&D and innovation
• energy efficiency
• promotion of sustainable development, green economy and environment
• internal growth programmes

[1] Number of employees between 250 and 3,000.

[2] EIB funds are normally allocated to companies operating in economic sectors identified as eligible by the EIB and which meet specific eligibility (or exclusion) criteria, as established in the loan agreement between the EIB and SIMEST..

Would you like to find out more? Contact our Regional Representatives