Dutch Alternative Credit Instrument launched with European backing

Dutch SMEs can look forward to fresh financing coming from a European-backed initiative of the Dutch national promotional bank Invest-NL and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Together with the European Investment Fund (EIF), the parties have launched the “Dutch Alternative Credit Instrument” (DACI) aimed at providing funding to non-bank credit providers, who will provide financing to SMEs.

Invest-NL and the Ministry will each commit € 50 million, while the EIF puts up € 100 million, ensuring that Dutch SMEs can benefit from € 200 million in financing through the instrument. After the launch of the “Dutch Future Fund” (DFF) last year, this is a complementary joint fund-of-funds initiative, which aims at improving access to finance for Dutch SMEs.

Mona Keijzer, the Dutch Secretary of State for Economic Affairs and Climate, stated: “DACI connects two parties – growing companies and alternative financiers – who need each other if they are to move forward. Alternative financiers want to invest in growing companies, but they have trouble raising enough funds. And then there are the vibrant companies that are keen to expand their operations, but lack the money to do so. DACI can help fund managers obtain sufficient resources, and this enables Dutch companies to grow.”

“Invest-NL is a strategic partner and shareholder of the EIF” saysAlain Godard, Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund.“DACI is our first regional partnership in the EU targeting support to alternative credit providers. Although several new alternative credit providers or platforms have emerged in recent years, it remains a fragile segment in the financing chain for SMEs. DACI therefore constitutes an ideal opportunity in a space that is ripe for further expansion and growth.”

“The new DACI fund will provide much needed support and further grow and strengthen the non-bank financial sector. By extending funding possibilities to Alternative Credit providers, more companies can be reached and more flexible financing solutions can be developed to tailor to the needs of small companies”added Invest-NL CEOWouter Bos,“We look forward to taking the next steps together with our partners and making DACI a truly supportive instrument for Dutch SMEs and enabling financing for their businesses.

DACI will provide financing support to SMEs with loans up to an absolute maximum of € 5 million. With about 95% of all loans having a size below € 2 million, the parties expect that around 250 Dutch companies will benefit from the initiative.