European Bank issued the following announcement on July 9.

Small and medium-sized enterprises in south-eastern Europe will benefit from a €10 million equity investment by the EBRD in the Invera Private Equity Fund. The fund will focus on supporting and developing private companies in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro with equity and equity-related investments.

Anne Fossemalle, EBRD Director and Head of the Equity Funds team, commented: “EBRD’s investment will enable the Bank to address the SME private equity segment in south-eastern Europe. We are excited to support the establishment of a new local and independent team.”

Invera Equity Partners is a newly established private equity fund manager which will target total capital commitments of up to €100 million, including through the mobilisation of local institutional investors.

The region has strong entrepreneurial potential that is often held back due to difficult access to financing. Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Director for Croatia, commented: “We are very pleased to support the development of the local private equity sector. Through our investment in Invera we will provide indirect equity financing to local Croatian corporate clients to support their growth and development.”

The fund has a broad sectoral focus including food and beverages, manufacturing and industrials, information and communication technologies, services (including healthcare and transportation) and hospitality. The fund will target a diversified portfolio with a typical investment size of €4-12 million.

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in south-eastern Europe, active in all sectors of the economy. As these economies advance equity investments become increasingly important in providing further support for their development also in view of the countries’ EU aspirations.

Original source can be found here.