Match Loan

Are you considering investing in a startup? Or are you a founder seeking capital to scale your business? EIFO's Match Loan provides risk capital tailored to innovative early-stage businesses.

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A Match Loan is a financing option for early-stage startups that have received an investment from an investor. An investor can be an individual person, such as a business angel, investing their own funds. It can also be a family office, syndicates, or smaller managers of funds, such as early-stage venture capital firms or a commercial foundation.

Criteria for the Match Loan

There are several criteria that a business must meet to be eligible for a Match Loan from EIFO. To qualify for a Match Loan, your company must:

be registered in Denmark and have a business model with a Danish foundation
have an innovative, scalable business model
be in an early stage, meaning having generated less than DKK 3 million in revenue (accumulated over its entire lifetime based on submitted financial statements)
be a relatively newly established company engaged in innovation, meaning it cannot have acquired assets from other existing business

How to get a Match Loan?

More entrepreneurs in Denmark must succeed, which often requires external risk capital. To qualify for a Match Loan, your company must have already secured an investment from an investor - a business angel, a family office, syndicates, or venture capital firm, et cetera.

At EIFO, we match the investment 1:1. In practice, this means that for every one Danish DKK your investor invests in your company, EIFO provides an additional krone. This matching scheme doubles your available capital, enabling you to further develop your business without deluting ownership as a founder.

Learn more about the Match Loan here (in Danish).

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What are the benefits to a Match Loan?

A Match Loan provides a startup with increased capital for growth, business development, scaling operations, etc. It is EIFO’s earliest financing solution. A key advantage is that a Match Loan does not require you to give up ownership shares, as it simply matches investments from private investors without demanding equity in return.

How long does it take to get a Match Loan approved?

Typically, the processing time is around one month. However, the timeline may vary depending on the complexity of your application and how quickly you provide the required information.

Can I apply for multiple Match Loans?

Yes, you can apply for multiple Match Loans as long as each application meets EIFO’s criteria, and you have secured new investments from private investors for each application.

Which investors can you match?

EIFO can match investments from a wide range of private investors, including business angels, syndicates, and professional fund managers, who are willing to invest in your company.

Can I get approved as a business angel at EIFO?

Approval for the Match Loan is generally handled on a case-by-case basis. However, if you are a Business Angel with a strong investment pipeline and a clear strategy, you may be eligible for approval when applying for your first investment case.

The application process

To apply for a Match Loan, you need to fill out the application form here and upload it along with additional documentation listed in the application form. Once completed and signed, the application form should be submitted via the website under the "Apply Here" section. Since the portal is used for multiple applications, you may be asked to upload documents that are not relevant to a Match Loan. Simply upload the required materials in the designated drop field.

Reach Out to the Team

Questions about the process?

If you have any questions about the application process, feel free to contact our team at matchlaan@eifo.dk.

Contact Customer Service

Useful knowledge – a startup toolkit

We understand that getting off to a good start can be challenging for many early-stage businesses. There are countless things to consider, and resources are often limited. You may not be an expert in every aspect of starting a company.

This is why we have gathered some of our best advice and valuable insights in the sections below. Hopefully, they will answer some of your questions and help you move forward on your entrepreneurial journey.

How to raise capital

Raising capital means securing funding to start, grow, or expand your business. A solid funding strategy is crucial for startups and growth companies, as it provides the necessary resources to take the next step. Additional capital can help you develop new products, hire employees, and scale your business. To successfully raise capital, you need a strong business plan and a clear understanding of your company’s financial needs and goals.

Several financing options exist depending on your business's stage, industry, and financial foundation.

Get an overview

Funding options

There are several types of financing options that businesses can consider when raising capital. Below, you will find an overview of the most common ones for early-stage companies:

Equity financing

Involves selling a portion of your company's ownership to investors in exchange for capital. Examples include investments from venture capitalists, business angels, family offices, and other external investors. Business angels are typically the first investors in a startup, as only a few startups secure venture capital as their first source of funding.

Debt financing

Involves taking on a loan. This can be an effective way to secure funding without diluting ownership. The cost lies in having to repay the loan with interest.

Convertible loans

A hybrid between equity financing and traditional loans, where the loan can convert into equity under certain conditions.

Crowdfunding

Raising small amounts of capital from a large number of people, typically via online platforms. Crowdfunding can be reward-based, equity-based, or loan-based.

Government grants and support programs

Many governments and public institutions offer grants and support schemes for startups and growth companies. Examples include Innovation Fund Denmark, EUPD funds, and EIC. These grants usually do not need to be repaid.

How to prepare to raise capital

Several key steps can help guide your business in the right direction when preparing to raise capital. Here are three tips:

Develop a business plan: A well-structured business plan outlining your company's goals, strategy, market potential, and financial projections is crucial in determining the right type of funding for your needs.
Prepare financial projections: Investors expect realistic and detailed financial forecasts that demonstrate your expected revenue, costs, and liquidity needs. These projections help build credibility and show that you have a solid financial strategy.
Identify potential investors: Create a list of potential investors who are interested in your industry and business type. This can include venture capitalists, business angels, and other investment sources. Be clear on what you expect from a partnership with an investor and what value they can bring beyond capital.

Find more tips, in-depth guides, and startup resources on Heyfunding’s blog, tailored to the Danish startup ecosystem here.

Tips for a great pitch

A pitch is like a live business card – it is your chance to grab investors’ attention and get their interest. Here are some essential tips for delivering an effective pitch:

Know your goal: your pitch is not about selling your entire business in a few minutes—it is about generating enough interest to secure a follow-up meeting where you can discuss in more detail.
Start with the problem: begin by presenting the problem you are solving or the market opportunity you are addressing. This will immediately engage your audience and highlight why your business matters.
Hook your audience: your first three to four sentences should act as a hook - a compelling statement that captures attention and draws investors into your story.
Keep it simple: stick to one key message per slide and ensure that each slide's headline clearly states the main takeaway.
Show progress, not just a product: investors care more about traction and performance than product specifications. Use data to demonstrate growth, achievements, and momentum.
Practice, practice, practice: a great pitch is built on preparation. Rehearse multiple times, seek feedback from mentors or experienced entrepreneurs, and refine your delivery. Confidence and clarity make a big impact.
Be concise and relevant: stay focused on the most critical aspects of your business - what makes you unique, why your market is attractive, and how you plan to scale. Avoid unnecessary details.
Highlight your team: investors do not just invest in ideas - they invest in people. Showcase your team’s expertise, experience, and ability to execute. A strong, capable team is a key factor in securing funding.

Business angels in our portfolio

Here is an overview of some of the business angels that EIFO has recently collaborated with: