August 2012SEAF South Balkan Fund

Gomex, a supermarket chain in Vojvodina, is supported by SEAF.

Project funded by:

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECCO); Netherlands Finance Development Company (FMO); Finnish Development Finance Company (FINNFUND); Small Enterprise Assistance Funds (SEAF)

Project implemented by:

Small Enterprise Assistance Funds

Key counterparts:

Serbian Private Equity Association;
Serbian Chamber of Commerce;
Belgrade Chamber of Commerce

Where we work:

Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia

Project duration:

2005 to 2014

Contact:

Bulevar Zorana Djindjica 67-2 11000

Belgrade, Serbia
Phone: +381-11 212-9524
Fax: +381-11 212-9525
E-mail: office@seaf.co.rs
Website: http://www.seaf.com/

BACKGROUND

Small Enterprise Assistance Funds (SEAF) is a global investment firm focused on providing growth capital and operational support to businesses in emerging markets that are underserved by traditional sources of capital. SEAF selectively makes structured debt and equity investments in locally owned enterprises with high growth potential. Based in Washington D.C., SEAF invests in more than 22 countries around the world through an international network of 21private equity funds in Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

SEAF South Balkan Fund is a private equity fund managed by SEAF, investing in private companies in Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia. Apart from financing, the fund’s core activities include providing companies with hands-on operational support and global business contacts that can accelerate their growth and profitability.

ACTIVITIES

SEAF South Balkan Fund is an active equity partner in portfolio companies, providing them with the following value-added assistance:

  • Improving management practices and enhancing management team capacity through new hires.
  • Accessing bank loans or alternative financing vehicles.
  • Introducing new technologies in daily operations.
  • Creating marketing campaigns.
  • Providing financial and strategic advisory services.
  • Providing valuable global business contacts.
  • Hiring international experts to assist portfolio companies.

RESULTS

  • Investment results:€6,261,000 committed to six companies(Adore Chocolate, Finera Factoring, A2B Express, Logo Holding, PC Centar, Gomex).
  • Assessed more than 1,000 companies.
  • Established partnerships/working relationships with more than 150 governmental and non-governmental institutions.
  • Leveraged the USAID investment with investments from other global developmental and financial institutions at a ratio of more than 1:4.
  • Increased the value of the companies, contributing to the expected return to investors.
  • Installed corporate governance systems in all portfolio companies.
  • Provided training programs to about 400 employees.
  • Created well-managed businesses with global connections (on average, 92 percent growth rate in revenues since SEAF investment).
  • Created businesses that generate sustainable employment opportunities (on average, 72 percent growth rate in the number of employees since SEAF investment).