National Innovation Fund
The increase in the competitiveness of the Bulgarian industry and the improvement of the capacity to cope with the competition in the EU market are only possible through creation, introduction and dissemination of innovations, in order to ensure a competitive edge in the international market and satisfy in advance the new demands of domestic and international consumers.
On the 8-th of September 2004 THE NATIONAL INNOVATION STRATEGY OF BULGARIA and the measures for its implementation was adopted with Decision ? 723 of the Council of Ministers.
According to the strategy the financial instrument for its implementation will be a National Innovation Fund. On 15 March 2005 the Fund started functioning as it opened a call for proposals.
The strategic goals of the Fund are to increase the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy through the encouragement of market-oriented applied research for the needs of industry as well to create the necessary background for public investments in innovations according to the Innovation Strategy of Bulgaria.

Investment Scenario of Small Enterprises Development Agency(SEDA), South Africa

Financing for BEE deals

ABSA Small Business Fund:
In Absa’s drive to support emerging entrepreneurs, ABSA has launched the Small Business Fund to provide finance and transactional products to emerging black entrepreneurs to help them establish and/or grow their Small Businesses.
In the quest to make the process as seamless as possible for both client and staff, we have also developed an introduced the Small Business Fund Application Form.
This pre-designed application form/business plan will assist emerging entrepreneurs who normally lack resources to acquire business plans from service provider; with the foundation of a business plan; assisting them to formulate a sound business case/proposal to support their application for finance.

Equity Africa: A Shanti Industries and ABSA Bank joint venture. A private equity fund that invests in SME business in South Africa with black equity and management participation.

FNB Momentum UYF Progress Fund:
Financing for Black Youth Empowerment Companies in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Polokwane. Zimele Investments (Pty) Ltd: An Anglo American initiative. Zimele is the enterprise development and empowerment initiative of Anglo American. In line with Anglo American`s commitment to South Africa`s socio-economic growth, Zimele concentrates on the establishment and promotion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Zimele, derived from Zulu and Xhosa meaning "to be independent", invests in the enterprises through its investment fund and holds minority stakes of up to 20%.

SME Investments:
Small business project SBP SME Investments pioneered a unique approach to funding SMEs in South Africa. The key objective was to develop innovative ways to provide equity and/or quasi equity financing to enterprises demonstrating the empowerment of previously disadvantaged South Africa