The European Investment Fund (EIF) has committed €25 million ($26.2 million) to the Finland-based IPR VC Fund III. The investment aims to enhance the production of European films and TV series, and the fund now exceeds €100 million ($105 million).
Headquartered in Helsinki, IPR.VC has been a key player in the media investment landscape since 2015, raising €200 million ($209.8 million) from Nordic professional investors across three funds. The firm has financed over 50 productions globally, many of which have garnered recognition at international festivals. Recent recipients include the upcoming “Mother Mary,” starring Anne Hathaway (pictured above), Sundance standout “The Legend of Ochi,” Alex Garland’s “Civil War” and Matt Johnson’s Berlin competition player “Blackberry.”
“Our investment in IPR.VC Fund III underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and creativity within the European audiovisual sector,” said EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros. “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.”
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IPR.VC Fund III, licensed by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority, aims to attract other financial backers and reach its target size of €120 million ($125.8 million) by its closing on March 31, 2025. The fund will focus on producing international movies and TV series with a strong European emphasis, addressing a market gap in securing new investments for the development and production phases of audiovisual projects.
“Rather than the outdated cliché of investing in ‘passion projects,’ this major commitment from the EIF underlines the growing and enduring value of premium film and TV content in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,” said Tanu-Matti Tuominen, Co-Founder and Head of Investor Relations at IPR.VC. “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.”
The EIF’s investment aligns with its mission to support the competitiveness, digital independence and strategic autonomy of the European Union’s cultural and creative sectors. This initiative is part of the European Commission’s InvestEU MediaInvest equity investment instrument, which aims to mobilize private investors and support total investments in Europe’s audiovisual sector of €400 million ($419.5 million) between 2022-2027.
Key features of IPR.VC Fund III include:
- Strategic focus: The fund will target the production of international movies and TV series with a strong European focus, addressing a market gap in securing new investments for the development and production phases of audiovisual projects.
- Innovative model: IPR.VC Fund III will develop several portfolios of projects – called “slates” – with strategic partners such as production and distribution companies.
- Support for European productions: The fund will provide audiovisual producers with access to additional sources of funding beyond traditional schemes, helping to retain intellectual property and commercial rights within Europe.
- Experienced management team: The fund is managed by a team with substantial experience in the media and entertainment sector, ensuring robust financial analysis and support for production companies.
IPR.VC has formed long-term strategic alliances with renowned production companies such as A24, XYZ Films and leading European studios like mk2 Films and Gigglebug Entertainment. These collaborations have solidified IPR.VC’s position as one of the largest independent film and TV investment fund managers operating in Europe.
With this substantial backing, IPR.VC Fund III is set to finance a diverse portfolio of audiovisual projects, providing European producers with access to additional sources of funding beyond traditional schemes. This will help retain intellectual property and commercial rights within Europe, further strengthening the region’s cultural and creative industries.