On September 30, 2015, the European Commission launched a consultation into the review of the European Venture Capital Funds Regulation and the European Social Entrepreneurships Funds Regulation as part of its CMU initiative. The Commission is seeking views on steps that could be taken to improve the take-up of EuVECA and EuSEF funds through amendments to the two Regulations. Proposals include: (i) allowing managers authorized under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive to be able to offer EuVECA and EuSEF funds to clients; (ii) exempting managers of EuVECA and EuSEF funds from authorization under AIFMD once they exceed the €500 million threshold; (iii) reducing the minimum subscription threshold for non-professional investors to attract more private investors; (iv) harmonization of registration requirements, including related costs; (v) extending the EuVECA and EuSEF Regulations to third country managers; (vi) extending the range of eligible assets that a EuVECA fund can invest in; and (vii) harmonizing requirements for the marketing of funds and fees for cross-border notifications. The consultation closes on January 6, 2016.
The consultation paper is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/finance/consultations/2015/venture-capital-funds/docs/consultation-document_en.pdf.
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