NEFCO Scale-up Financing for Nordic Green Companies

Enriched – · Found: 2026-03-13 15:25

NEFCO (Nordic Environment Finance Corporation) provides financing for Nordic SMEs with proven green solutions ready for international scale-up, including circular economy innovations like plastic recycling. Offers loan financing on market terms, EIF guarantees, and support for feasibility studies. Recent support includes companies like Sulapac (biodegradable plastics) and Cycled Technologies (plastic recycling). Contact NEFCO to discuss specific project applications.

Source: https://www.nefco.int/financing/companies/

Funding Details

Funder

NEFCO - Nordic Environment Finance Corporation

Funding Goal

Finance Nordic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) whose solutions deliver positive environmental or climate impact, supporting the scale-up of proven green solutions on global markets. Products include loan financing on market terms, EIF guarantees, and feasibility study support through Nopef.

Funding Amount

Loan financing on market terms (amounts not specified); feasibility study support available through Nopef for internationalisation costs

Deadline

Rolling basis (Rolling)

How to Apply

Contact NEFCO to discuss specific investment proposals. NEFCO follows an investment criteria and cycle process. EIF guarantee products available separately. Nopef feasibility study support also available.

Target Region

Nordic countries (for company headquarters); global (for scale-up destinations)

Contact

www.nefco.int

Last Checked

2026-05-07 02:33

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a Nordic SME (company headquartered in a Nordic country)
• NGOs and non-profits are not mentioned as eligible — this instrument targets for-profit companies

Project Scope

• Solution must demonstrate proven positive environmental or climate impact and be ready for international scale-up

Required Documents

• Contact NEFCO directly to initiate the investment review process; no formal call deadline

Constraints

• NEFCO provides loans and guarantees at market terms — not grants; expect repayment obligations

Summary

NEFCO (Nordic Environment Finance Corporation) is a multilateral development finance institution established in 1990 that provides loan financing and financial support to Nordic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with green, environmentally impactful solutions seeking international scale-up. Thematic scope covers any green technology or solution with positive environmental or climate impact. Past investments include biodegradable plastics (Sulapac) and plastic recycling technologies (Cycled Technologies), demonstrating relevance to the circular economy and plastic waste sectors. Eligible activities are centred on commercial investment and scale-up, not grants. NEFCO offers three financing instruments: (1) Loan financing on market terms for Nordic SMEs making green investments aimed at global scaling; (2) EIF (European Investment Fund) guarantees to make financing more accessible for Nordic SMEs; (3) Nopef financial support for feasibility studies and preparatory business activities that enable internationalisation. Geographic scope: applicants must be Nordic SMEs. Investments support global expansion activities. Eligible applicants are exclusively Nordic SMEs (companies) with fewer than 250 employees and turnover below EUR 50 million (standard SME definition implied). Non-profits and NGOs are not listed as eligible. NEFCO does not provide grants. Applications are rolling with no fixed deadlines. Contact NEFCO to discuss a proposal and initiate the investment cycle review.

Historical Context

NEFCO has been a pioneer in impact investing since 1990. As of 2025 key figures: 69 active investments, 24 Nopef feasibility studies led to international businesses. Supported companies include Sulapac (biodegradable plastics) and Cycled Technologies (plastic recycling).

Sources

• https://www.nefco.int/financing/companies/

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