ERSTE Foundation, Erste Social Finance Holding, IFUA Nonprofit Partner, and SIMPACT provide expertise to support growth
Vienna (OTS) – Companies working on solutions for social issues or sustainability often struggle to secure appropriate financing. They also frequently lack the know-how and business skills to convince investors of their plans. The Marc Impact Programme aims to help Impact enterprises bridge these gaps while securing financing for further growth: Applications for companies in Austria, Hungary, and Romania opened on June 6.
Official Launch at the Impact Days Conference
The Marc Impact Programme is a collaboration among ERSTE Foundation, Erste Social Finance Holding, IFUA Nonprofit Partner, and SIMPACT. The official launch took place on June 6, 2024, during the Impact Days organized by Impact Hub Vienna. „There are two paths one can take in life: the safe path and the curious one. Impact entrepreneurs choose the curious path, which can often be foggy. They must learn to navigate and find the right way to their goal. The Marc Impact Programme can assist in this journey,” said Boris Marte, Executive of ERSTE Foundation.
Marc Impact aims to equip companies over an eight-month period with essential tools—from tailored business expertise provided by local partner organizations to access to financing and supportive ecosystems through networks and partnerships, including other participants in the programme.
„We are pleased to support high-impact enterprises in contributing to resilient societies. With our expertise and tailored programmes, we will accompany enterprises on their growth journey and help them overcome the challenges of financing and business growth,” explained Peter Surek, CEO of Erste Social Finance Holding.
Application Deadline until September 2024
The multi-phase Marc Impact Programme will commence in October 2024 in Austria, Hungary, and Romania. The application phase ends in September 2024. All application details can be found at https://marc-impactprogramme.net/.
The programme aims to expand to Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Serbia from 2025 to 2027.
„The Marc Impact Programme is a significant step towards strengthening high-impact enterprises and addressing societal challenges with innovative solutions. Our mission is to support impact social enterprises and start-ups at a critical point when they are ready to scale and multiply their social influence. By collaborating with local programme partners in each country, we aim to empower hundreds of entrepreneurs across seven countries and increase our own positive impact,” added Zsuzsanna Pál, CEO of IFUA Nonprofit Partner, and Gábor Lajos Nagy, Co-founder and CEO of SIMPACT.
