New rules to facilitate innovative and socially beneficial companies accessing capital in the European Union were adopted by the European Parliament on September 14, 2017.

The European Parliament approved changes to Regulation (EU) no. 345/2013 on European venture capital funds (“EuVECA“) and Regulation (EU) no. 346/2013 European social entrepreneurship funds (“EuSEF“), aimed at attracting more investors for start-ups.

The changes are intended to reduce costs and barriers to entry for funds that lend to entrepreneurs and small to mid-sized enterprises. They include widening the range of managers eligible to create and manage EuVECA and EuSEF funds to those with assets under management of more than €500 million. Venture capital funds will also be able to invest in unlisted companies with up to 499 employees, allowing managers to diversify their funds. It is hoped that widening the range of eligible undertakings in which qualifying venture capital funds can invest will make them more appealing for investors and increase the flow of capital for businesses. The European Securities and Markets Authority has been charged with ensuring that funds are consistently registered and supervised across the EU.

The changes to the legislation are designed to make the cross-border marketing of both types of funds easier and less expensive as part of the EU’s efforts to create an integrated capital market, namely the Capital Markets Union.

The revised rules will enter into force 20 days after being published in the Official Journal of the European Union.