The agreement was made possible by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the central pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe, which was launched by the EIB Group and the European Commission to boost the competitiveness of the European economy.

Nexus has created an easy-to-manage identification solution that lets organisations’ users identify themselves visually, log in, open doors, sign transactions, make payments, and use follow-me printing – with one single “Smart ID”. This digital identity is most often hosted on a card, but mobile IDs and other authenticators can also be used. The Smart ID solution is also used for the “internet of things”, to issue and manage trusted digital identities for things, making it possible to protect their communication.

The deal with Nexus is special in that it makes use of the new EIB venture debt product, which combines the advantages of a long-term loan with a remuneration model based on the company’s performance. Any such transaction helps to strengthen the borrower’s economic capital without diluting the shares of existing investors.

“The digital and analogue world are moving ever closer together. Nexus has world-class technology and is in a unique position to enable the convergence of physical and digital access,” said Alexander Stubb, responsible for EIB’s operations in Northern European countries. “I’m glad that the Investment Plan for Europe allows the EIB to step-up investment into highly innovative companies such as Nexus. This will enable Sweden and Europe to keep up with the fast pace of digitalisation.”

“The capital will allow an even faster roll-out of Nexus technology into new applications. But equally important is the signal this sends to our partners, customers and users. It’s a quality seal to be backed by the EIB. Their support is the result of a very rigorous due diligence process, where they have reviewed us and our potential from all possible angels,” said Lars Pettersson, CEO of Nexus.

The loan will allow Nexus to be even more impactful in its vision to improve society by enabling trusted identities through leveraging its Smart ID technology, according to Pettersson.