The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development plans to launch a fund with a volume of $50 million-$60 million early in 2015 to invest in Ukrainian high-tech companies, according to EBRD director for Ukraine Sevki Acuner.
As reported by Interfax.ua, the volume of the fund is expected to be around $50 million-$60 million. The structure of the fund has yet to be finalized. In addition to direct investment, the EBRD is currently discussing a potential partnership with Ukrainian venture funds, said Andrey Kolodyuk, a prominent Ukrainian VC and co-founder of the Ukrainian Venture Capital Association.
“A matching funds program is being considered. The EBRD will lower its risk by co-investing with funds that are active on the market or by investing as an LP the funds that are raising capital now,” Kolodyuk said in an exchange with Ukraine Digital News.
The EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. As of October 2014, it had provided 9.8 billion euros ($12.4 billion) to 337 projects in the country. The bank intends to invest 1 billion euros in projects in Ukraine in 2015.
