A complete application will normally receive a response within two to three weeks.
finance&invest.brussels is a regional public institution, created in 1984, of which the Brussels-Capital Region is the majority shareholder. Its mission is to supplement the financing chain and provide concrete solutions to the financial needs of Brussels entrepreneurs at key moments in their lives: creation, development, innovation, internationalisation, environmental transition, takeover/transfer.
finance&invest.brussels is aimed at two specific groups:
- Startups, scale-ups and SMEs, with the granting of loans or co-financing arrangements in conjunction with a bank and the acquisition of equity interests
- Self-employed individuals, micro-enterprises, social enterprises and cooperatives, through the granting of loans of up to €15,000,000, co-financing of up to €200,000 and, for social cooperatives only, equity investments, via the subsidiary Brusoc.
The solutions offered
For startups, scale-ups and SME's
Finance&invest.brussels offers loans to companies that are being set up or are growing, for amounts ranging from €150,000 to €5 million. For smaller-scale projects, additional solutions are available via its subsidiary Brusoc (see the second part of this article).
It is increasingly common to finance a business through a combination of funding sources. For this reason, finance&invest.brussels also provides co-financing loans in partnership with banks when a project requires such an arrangement. In practical terms, this may mean that two-thirds of your credit requirement is granted by the bank and one-third by finance&invest.brussels.
Some start-ups and scale-ups may be looking for investors as part of a fundraising round linked to an investment and/or development project. In such cases, finance&invest.brussels can invest equity in innovative companies that, for example, bring to market a product or service with strong growth potential. This type of financing is most often carried out through a capital increase.
Between a traditional loan and an equity investment, there is also a range of other financial instruments. Depending on the needs and profile of your company, finance&invest.brussels may also offer:
- Mezzanine loan: a loan that complements a bank loan or own funds and is repayable over a longer term than a standard loan. This type of debt is generally subordinated, meaning that repayment only takes place after the bank loan has been repaid.
- Convertible loan: usually a form of mezzanine loan where the agreement provides, for a defined period and subject to certain conditions, the option to convert the outstanding balance into equity (shares).
For self-employed individuals, micro-enterprises, social enterprises and cooperatives
Through its subsidiary Brusoc, finance&invest.brussels also offers financial products primarily aimed at natural persons, micro-enterprises, social enterprises, cooperatives and certain non-profit organisations.
If you are starting or developing your own job as a self-employed individual operating as a sole trader (as your main or secondary activity), you may apply for the Open Up microcredit. This finances projects from €5,000 to €30,000, repayable over 2 to 5 years. A minimum own contribution of 3% of the loan amount is required.
For projects launched or developed through a company (legal entity), the Rise Up loan can provide funding of up to €100,000, over a period of 2 to 5 years. A minimum own contribution of €6,200 is required.
For growing companies, BRUFIN+ is a loan of up to €200,000 that generally complements bank financing. This solution strengthens the leverage effect and makes it easier to obtain a bank loan.
To support the energy transition of small Brussels-based businesses, the ENERGY&RENO loan makes it possible to finance photovoltaic panels, high-performance glazing, more efficient equipment and insulation works, among other investments. The loan amounts range from €10,000 to €150,000, with a maximum term of 7 years and an interest rate of 2%. ENERGY&RENO requires no guarantees and includes support throughout the entire duration of the loan.
The interest rate for the Open Up, Rise Up, BRUFIN+ and ENERGY&RENO loans is set at 4%.
Does your company or association serve a social or environmental purpose? If so, the Citiz Up loan may be relevant for you, financing your project up to €150,000 under conditions similar to the other loan schemes offered by Brusoc. Citiz Up targets social enterprises that meet the EMES criteria, which are detailed on the website of the Belgian Federal Public Service Economy.
Finally, for cooperatives with a social purpose, Brusoc also offers Coop Us: a range of solutions from a standard loan (interest rate of 2% with a maximum term of 10 years) to an equity investment that can double the contribution of cooperative members, or a combination of both (hybrid formula). The total amount can reach up to a maximum of €250,000.
How to submit an application?
- Complete the contact form available on the website (you can also make contact by e-mail or telephone);
- The analyst handling your request will then provide you with a list of documents to be gathered to prepare your application file, depending on the type of financing requested.
- Once your file has been fully prepared, your analyst will invite you to a meeting.
- The team will analyse the project based on the information collected.
- An investment committee will make the final decision.