MDB-Xjenza Malta Joint Initiative Helps Maltese Innovators Bring Ideas to Market

Innovative start-ups in Malta can access dedicated loan support to help them move from idea to market, through the Go-To-Market Loan Assistance Programme.

The programme was presented by Malta Development Bank (MDB) at the launch of Xjenza Malta’s updated FUSION Go-To-Market initiative; a support programme that helps Maltese start-ups and research-based innovations move from prototype stage towards market readiness, commercial validation and access to finance.

MDB is providing financial support to innovative start-ups that are already engaged in Xjenza Malta’s programmes and want to commercialise their innovations.
The scheme works in collaboration with local commercial banks, to address a persistent barrier facing innovative start-ups: access to finance. It is designed for enterprises that may not meet standard lending requirements, but whose ideas have real commercial potential.

At its core, the Go-To-Market Loan Assistance Programme shifts the risk equation. MDB provides an 80% guarantee on loans extended by participating commercial banks, with the banks retaining the remaining 20%. This means that commercial banks can say yes to innovative start-ups that they may otherwise not have been able to support. This includes those whose main assets are intellectual property or research results, rather than physical collateral.

On top of the loan guarantee, Xjenza Malta provides a grant support package made of three components: an interest rate subsidy, front contribution support to reduce the upfront payment banks typically require, and support to reduce collateral requirements.

MDB Chief Executive Officer Alison Micallef said the Go-To-Market Loan Assistance Programme tackles the financing obstacles that too often stop good ideas in their tracks. “This is a clear example of how MDB adds value: working with partners to open up financing that supports early-stage innovative businesses as they move towards commercial growth,” said Ms. Micallef.

Chairperson Leo Brincat concluded: “Malta’s ability to compete in the years ahead will depend increasingly on its ability to turn new ideas into sustainable businesses. Development finance has an important role to play here, and MDB is helping build a stronger innovation ecosystem in Malta.”
Eligibility is linked to Xjenza Malta’s programmes, and further information is available here.

MDB u Xjenza Malta b’inizjattiva komuni biex jgħinu innovaturi Maltin iwasslu l-ideat tagħhom fis-suq

Negozji ġodda u innovattivi f’Malta jistgħu jingħataw għajnuna finanzjarja biex jiżviluppaw l-ideat tagħhom, biex il-prodott jew is-servizz tagħhom ikun lest għas-suq.

Dan permezz tal-programm ta’ assistenza għas-self bl-isem ta’ Go-To-Market, li ġie ppreżentat mill-Malta Development Bank waqt it-tnedija ta’ inizjattiva ta’ Xjenza Malta msejħa FUSION Go-To-Market. Din tal-aħħar tgħin negozji Maltin u proġetti innovattivi bbażati fuq ir-riċerka biex jiżviluppaw aktar l-ideat tagħhom, jittestjaw jekk għandhomx potenzjal fis-suq, iħejju ruħhom għall-bejgħ, u jiksbu l-finanzjament meħtieġ biex jikbru.

L-għajnuna tal-MDB hija mmirata lejn negozji innovattivi li diġà huma involuti fi programmi ta’ Xjenza Malta u li jridu jibdew jikkummerċjalizzaw l-innovazzjoni tagħhom. Minkejja li ħafna intraprendituri jkollhom ideat tajbin, isibuha diffiċli biex jiksbu self mill-banek kummerċjali. Dan jiġri l-aktar meta n-negozju jkun għadu fil-bidu tiegħu, jew meta l-aktar element ta’ valur li jkollu tkun idea, riċerka jew proprjetà intellettwali, aktar milli assi fiżiċi bħal bini jew tagħmir.

Il-prodott Go-To-Market jgħin biex jonqos ir-riskju għall-banek kummerċjali, u b’hekk aktar negozji innovattivi jingħataw iċ-ċans jikbru. MDB joffri garanzija ta’ 80% fuq is-self mogħti minn banek kummerċjali parteċipanti. Il-banek kummerċjali jżommu ir-riskju fuq l-20% li jifdal. Dan ifisser li l-banek ikunu aktar lesti jisilfu lil negozji ġodda u innovattivi li, mingħajr din il-garanzija, aktarx ma jiġux approvati.

Barra minn hekk, Xjenza Malta toffri għajnuna fuq ir-rata tal-imgħax, għajnuna biex jitnaqqas il-ħlas bil-quddiem li normalment jitolbu l-banek, u għajnuna biex jitnaqqsu r-rekwiżiti tal-kollateral.

Il-Kap Eżekuttiv tal-MDB, Alison Micallef, qalet li dan il-programm jgħin biex jitneħħew l-ostakli finanzjarji li ħafna drabi jwaqqfu ideat tajbin milli jaslu fis-suq. Hija qalet li l-MDB qed jaħdem ma’ msieħba biex jiftaħ aktar opportunitajiet ta’ finanzjament għal negozji innovattivi fi stadju bikri.

Iċ-Chairperson tal-MDB, Leo Brincat, qal li l-kompetittività ta’ Malta fis-snin li ġejjin se tiddependi dejjem aktar fuq kemm il-pajjiż ikun kapaċi jibdel ideat ġodda f’negozji sostenibbli. Temm jgħid li MDB qed jgħin biex tissaħħaħ l-ekosistema tal-innovazzjoni f’Malta. L-eliġibbiltà għal dan l-appoġġ hija marbuta mal-programmi ta’ Xjenza Malta. Aktar informazzjoni tinsab hawn.

Joseph Darmanin, MDB’s Chief Business Development Officer, during Xjenza Malta’s launch