Banque des Territoires

Banque des Territoires, an integral part of the Caisse des Dépôts group, serves as a public investor dedicated to supporting the development and transformation of French territories. Established in 2018, its primary mission is to provide tailored solutions, including loans, equity investments, and guarantees, to local authorities, public sector entities, and private companies involved in projects with a public interest. Its strategic objective is to foster economic, social, and environmental development across France, addressing challenges such as urban regeneration, energy transition, and digital inclusion.

The institution's investment strategy is broad, encompassing a diverse range of sectors critical to regional vitality. These include sustainable housing, renewable energy infrastructure, digital connectivity, public transport, tourism, and the revitalization of local businesses. Banque des Territoires acts as a long-term partner, often co-investing alongside private capital to de-risk projects and ensure their successful implementation. Its unique position as a public financial institution allows it to take a patient capital approach, prioritizing long-term impact over short-term returns.

Banque des Territoires operates on a significant scale, demonstrating a substantial commitment to its mandate. For instance, it pledged €20 billion to support French territories during its initial strategic plan from 2018 to 2022. Building on this momentum, the institution has renewed its commitment, allocating another €20 billion for the period of 2023 to 2027, underscoring its enduring role in national development. These substantial financial commitments highlight its capacity to drive large-scale initiatives and provide crucial funding for strategic projects across the country.

While not a traditional venture capital firm, Banque des Territoires provides financing that can range significantly in size, reflecting the diversity of projects it supports. Its typical first cheque, which can include equity participation or project financing, generally starts around €100,000 (approximately $108,000 USD) for smaller, localized initiatives. For larger, more complex infrastructure or development projects, its investments can extend up to several tens of millions of euros, potentially reaching €50 million (approximately $54 million USD). This wide range allows it to cater to a broad spectrum of needs, from nascent local enterprises to major national infrastructure endeavors.