TASME – 100% TAEF Fund

TASME’s innovative investment mechanism is tailored to the needs of mid-sized entrepreneurs with growing enterprises.
TASME backs high growth potential entrepreneurs bringing innovation in their field (new products, new technology, innovation in their sector, etc.).

TASME financing

Combines equity and a mezzanine debt
Aligns interest by combining a prefixed remuneration and a performance fee (variable remuneration indexed to the performance of the company)

TASME at a glance

TASME’s investment model, adapted from that of Business Partners International, tailors investments to the needs and specifics of each company by combining a minority equity stake with mezzanine debt in the form of current accounts. This financing approach addresses an identified need among SMEs for alternative financing that meets the “missing middle” objective. Indeed, Tunisian SMEs, which are primarily family-owned, do not systematically meet the constraints specific to private equity funds (dilution, exit and liquidity prospects, valuation, etc.) or traditional banking institutions (real guarantees, bonds, financing working capital needs, etc.), making it imperative to configure an inclusive and innovative instrument aligned with the specific observations of SMEs.

TASME seeks investments that meet the following selection criteria:

Value adding sectors and significant economic, social, and environmental impact, such as education, agri-food, health, renewable energy, water treatment, and sectors related to digital and new information technologies.
Entrepreneurs who share TAEF’s values of strong governance, transparency, strong management, and social, societal, and ecological responsibility.
High growth potential entrepreneurs that are innovative and positively impact their ecosystems.
Entrepreneurs whose financing needs are not addressed by traditional financing tools and who are seeking alternative financing tailored to their businesses.
Investments throughout the country.

The U.S. Agency for International Development administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide.

This website is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Tunisian American Enterprise Fund and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.