Publication: Supporting Innovation in SMEs in Lebanon through a Public/Private Equity Fund : The iSME Fund
Date
2013-02
ISSN
Published
2013-02
Author(s)
Akeel, Randa
Abstract
Lebanon is a typical example of a
country where the banking sector is stable with high levels
of liquidity, and where the government has put in place
various incentive mechanisms and programs to encourage
lending for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These
include subsidized interest payments, exemptions on
compulsory reserves on creditors, and a credit guarantee
program-yet lending still largely remains confined to large
firms. Lebanese start-ups suffer from three substantial gaps
in their country's financial environment: 1) funding at
the early concept stage where entrepreneurs need to develop
their ideas into a viable concept and product; 2) early
stage seed funding needed when starting a company; and 3)
absence of venture finance needed for the firm to reach its
growth stage and beyond. The project's main component
comprises an innovation in SMEs funding program (the iSME
fund). The iSME fund will provide two sources of financing:
US$2.5 million for Concept Development Grants (CDGs); and
US$25 million for equity investment in seed, early/venture,
and growth stage firms. The remaining project amount will
support project management, strategic training activities,
marketing, and outreach to the business community, venture
capital partners, the diaspora and community at large to
promote the project and the fund's beneficiary entrepreneurs.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“Akeel, Randa. 2013. Supporting Innovation in SMEs in Lebanon through a Public/Private Equity Fund : The iSME Fund. MENA Knowledge and Learning Quick Notes Series;No. 81. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/16133 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”