1. EFSI Investment Platforms Possible application areas in the context of smart specialisation and industry

2. Framework  EFSI Regulation ref. to Investment Platforms
 Rules applicable to operations with Investment Platforms and National Promotional Banks (NPBs)

3. Definition
"Special purpose vehicles, managed accounts, contract-based co-financing or risk-sharing arrangements or arrangements established by any other means by which entities channel a financial contribution in order to finance a number of investment projects"

4. Scope
Investment Platforms are possible under both Infrastructure and Innovation and the SME Window
 Geographic focus
- National or sub-national Platforms that group together several investment projects on the territory of a given Member State;
- Multi-country or regional Platforms that group together partners from several Member States or third countries interested in projects in a given geographic area;
 Sector focus
- Thematic Platforms that group together investment projects in a given sector

5. Benefitting from EU guarantee Loans, Equity, Guarantees
Type of financing
Benefitting from EU guarantee
EIB (EFSI)
EIF (EFSI)
Investment Platform
IIW
SME window
Loans, Equity, Guarantees
Projects
Investments
NPBs, Private sector, EU/MS funds, SWFs…

6. Project Sponsors
- Can be any public or private entity, such as NPBs, EIB, EU or MS public entities, Managing authorities, Financial institutions, Corporates, third countries;
- They decide on the Platform setup and design;
- Typically provide part of initial funding.
- Eligible entities which can propose projects to the Platform
- Entity which takes care of the day-to-day management
- Usually appointed by the project sponsors
Project Promoters
Project Manager

7. Process Platform design / Market analysis (if new)
Platform sponsors proposal to EIB/EIF
EIB/EIF due diligence
Investment Committee approval (IIW)
EIB/EIF approval
Other parties' approval
EFSI financing to the Platform
Approval for a group of operations
Approval ex-ante or for each underlying operation

8. Example – The “IF-TRI” Platform in Nord-Pas de Calais (FR)
- First example of a regional investment platform (low-carbon economy) which combines resources from ESI Funds, private investors, France's Caisse des Dépôts et des Consignations, the EIB and support from the EFSI;
- The platform focuses on a number of themes (energy efficiency, renewable energy, the circular economy, intelligent mobility, networks and storage) to be supported via loans to companies;
- Each individual loan will average EUR 1 million, with at least 100 expected final beneficiaries.

9. Smart Specialisation Platform for Industrial Modernisation
Smart Specialisation Platform for Industrial Modernisation - Possible use of Investment Platforms - Possible combination with ESI Funds