Investor Profile: SIFEM — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

At a glance

SIFEM funding works differently from a typical VC cheque. The Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets is Switzerland's development finance institution — founded in 2011 and wholly owned by the Swiss Confederation — and it channels long-term capital to small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and emerging countries through local funds and financial intermediaries. As of 31 December 2025, SIFEM held $1,140 million in active commitments with a $559 million investment portfolio, spanning 107 funds and financial intermediaries and supporting nearly 600,000 jobs.

Thesis

SIFEM is an integral part of Switzerland's international cooperation strategy. Its overarching goal is to reduce poverty and foster sustainable, inclusive and resilient economies — with climate action firmly in the mix: since 2021, 31% of commitments have targeted climate-relevant projects, above its 25% target. In September 2026 it endorsed the 2X Challenge statement on women's economic empowerment, and 2024 marked a record year with 12 new investments totalling $173 million, under a new SIFEM Federal Act that took effect on 1 January 2025.

Sectors & stages

SIFEM invests indirectly through funds into sectors including access to finance, infrastructure development, SME development, renewable energy, agribusiness, microfinance and environmental sustainability. It does not do seed-stage venture cheques — its world is growth-stage SMEs and the local financial institutions that serve them.

Fund size & cheque size

SIFEM's own scale: $1,140 million in active commitments and a $559 million investment portfolio. Individual commitments are institutional-sized — for example, $10 million committed to Nam A Bank in August 2026. There is no startup-facing cheque range; founders access SIFEM capital one layer down, through its portfolio funds and lenders.

Notable portfolio

Recent and illustrative activity includes the $10 million commitment to Nam A Bank (August 2026), five climate-focused transactions worth $40 million in 2024, and a portfolio that has supported 599,534 jobs and avoided 6.3 million tons of greenhouse-gas emissions.

Partners / team

SIFEM operates as SIFEM AG from Bern, with Jörg Frieden chairing the Board of Directors. A named partner roster for founders is not published — SIFEM works through its intermediary funds rather than direct founder relationships.

Programs & perks

SIFEM runs a technical assistance programme for its investees, relaunched in 2024 in collaboration with SECO, to strengthen operational resilience and risk governance — plus an Impact Rating Tool applied to all new investments from 2025. The benefit for founders flows through intermediaries: cheaper, longer-tenor capital reaching local SMEs.

How to apply for funding from SIFEM

SIFEM does not take startup pitches directly — it commits to funds and financial intermediaries, which then finance SMEs. Founders should identify SIFEM-backed funds or lenders operating in their market (the portfolio explorer on sifem.ch lists them) and approach those directly. Fund managers and financial institutions seeking SIFEM as an investor can reach the institution via the contact details on sifem.ch.