28/02/2025 - The European audiovisual sector receives a major boost as the financial institution backs the Finland-based fund to fuel film and TV production across the continent

The European Investment Fund (EIF) has announced a €25 million investment in the Finland-based IPR.VC Fund III to help drive the growth of the European film and television industry. This commitment is part of IPR.VC Fund III, an alternative investment fund now exceeding €100 million, dedicated to financing film and TV production.

Founded in 2015, IPR.VC has quickly become a prominent player in the industry, financing over 50 film and television projects across Europe and beyond. Headquartered in Helsinki, the company has raised €200 million across three funds, with strong backing from Nordic investors. The EIF’s investment underscores its commitment to supporting IPR.VC Fund III and attracting additional financial backers to help the fund reach its target size of €120 million by 31 March. This investment is designed to tackle the financing challenges traditionally faced by the audiovisual sector, offering institutional investors access to media content assets through standard LP/GP fund structures.

Furthermore, this investment reinforces the growing recognition of film and TV as a viable sector for investment, while also strengthening IPR.VC's position as the largest independent film and TV investment fund manager in Europe. With long-term collaborations across entire slates with renowned global production companies like A24 and European studios such as France's mk2 Films and Finland's Gigglebug Entertainment (which also operates in the Canary Islands), IPR.VC has firmly established itself as a key player in the industry.

IPR.VC Fund III will prioritise significant European involvement and focus on financing a diverse range of audiovisual projects. The fund’s strategic goal is to address a notable gap in the market by securing investments for both the development and production stages of international films and TV series, with a particular focus on European content. By collaborating with key partners, such as production and distribution companies, IPR.VC will build portfolios, or “slates,” of projects, offering additional funding avenues outside traditional models. This will empower European producers, ensuring they retain intellectual property and commercial rights within the continent. Backed by a management team with industry expertise, IPR.VC Fund III promises financial oversight and support for production companies.

Tanu-Matti Tuominen, co-founder and head of investor relations at IPR.VC, underscored the growing value of European film and TV content: “Rather than the outdated cliché of investing in ‘passion projects’, this major commitment from the EIF underlines the growing and enduring value of premium film and TV content in Europe and globally. Further, it illustrates the fast returns that portfolio diversification and non-correlation can bring to an investor’s alternative investments portfolio. As an investment it is both significant and timely.”

Thomas Östros, EIB vice president, emphasised the EIF's commitment: "Our investment in IPR.VC Fund III underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and creativity within the European audiovisual sector. By supporting this fund, we are enabling European producers to retain intellectual property rights and bring high-quality content to global audiences, strengthening Europe's cultural and creative industries."

This transaction is part of the European Commission's InvestEU MediaInvest equity investment instrument, which seeks to attract private investors and support a total of €400 million in investments for Europe's audiovisual sector from 2022 to 2027. The EIF’s investment aligns with broader European Union objectives, including enhancing the competitiveness, digital independence, and strategic autonomy of Europe’s cultural and creative sectors.