Gazelle Finance combines growth capital and technical know-how to unleash the potential of entrepreneurs across Eurasia. Established between 2015 and 2017 with seed funding from Eurasia Foundation, Gazelle Finance identifies promising small- or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), or “gazelles,” with a strong track record and provides them with long-term financing based on a sound plan for expansion. Gazelle Finance also works with its clients to identify management expertise gaps and provide technical assistance that enhances their potential to grow.  

Gazelle Finance is distinguished by its financial product, which is generally not available through banking or private equity channels in the region. SMEs in the Eurasia region have reasonable access to bank loans, but they lack access to “risk” financing, where the investor shares in the risk of the SME. Gazelle Finance provides income participation loans and equity financing to its clients, typically in the range of $200,000 to $1 million per investment, with a maximum amount of $3 million. Gazelle Finance operates in Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine.