A unique loan opportunity tailored for Bornholm businesses
Loans for the development of local businesses
Bornholm Business Foundation
For more than 50 years, Bornholms Erhvervsfond has contributed to the development of Bornholm-based businesses through targeted financing. Here, you can apply for loans on attractive terms to realise your development plans and create growth in your business.
How can we help you?
- Realise larger investments in your business
- Develop new products, markets or digital solutions
- Implement green transition and sustainable investments
- Finance the acquisition of an existing business
- Create growth through establishment, expansion, or upgrading
Contact us and we will help you clarify whether your business and project match Bornholm's Business Foundation's loan opportunities. Together we will look at your plans and guide you further through the application process, ensuring you have the best possible basis for applying for financing.
Next application deadline:
29 September 2026
If you have any questions, you are always
Please feel free to contact us.
Use the contact details below or send an email to sikkermail-bef@bornholm.biz
Read more and apply to Bornholm's Business Foundation
About the fund
About Bornholm's Business Fund
Dive into the foundation's history and its significance for the development of Bornholm businesses.
From Swedish houses to growth on Bornholm
Since 1972, the Bornholm Business Fund has helped to turn ideas into businesses, create jobs and strengthen the development of Bornholm’s business community. Behind the fund lies a rather special story, which begins with the Swedish wooden houses that were built in Rønne and Nexø following the Russian bombardments at the end of the Second World War.
When the foundation was established, it was with an initial capital of 10 million kroner. Eight million kroner was contributed by the state, while the five Bornholm financial institutions at the time contributed a total of two million kroner. The funds from the state predominantly came from the sale of 300 Swedish wooden houses built in Rønne and Nexø following the Russian bombardment of the two towns in 1945. The houses were a gift that Sweden had donated for the reconstruction of Bornholm after the war.
In the early 1990s the foundation's funds were almost fully lent out, at the same time as Bornholm was in the middle of a serious business crisis where it was difficult for companies to secure financing for new projects. Therefore, the government decided in 1993 as part of the so-called Bornholmer package to contribute an additional 50 million kroner to Bornholms Erhvervsfond.
The capital increase consisted of 40 million Danish kroner from the government, whilst Danske Bank and Nordea contributed a total of 10 million Danish kroner. In the spring of 2007, Sydbank made a contribution of DKK 2 million. This capital continues to form the basis for Bornholm Business Fund’s work in investing in the development of Bornholm-based businesses.
You can delve further into the foundation's history and its significance for business development on Bornholm here: Bornholm Business Fund's 50th anniversary publication
How to apply
Read about the application process, the application deadlines and the requirements for your application.
Upcoming application deadlines
29 September 2026
For consideration at the board meeting on 20 October 2026
23rd November 2026
For consideration at the board meeting on 14 December 2026
Upon application, the foundation's application form used and it must, along with relevant exhibits, be submitted to the Business Foundation's secretariat by email or to Landemærket 26, 3700 Rønne.
The application must be received by Bornholms Erhvervsfond before the project begins.
Following the secretariat's processing of the application, it is submitted to the board of directors, which makes the final decision on the case.
As a general rule, 6-7 board meetings are held a year. If an application is urgent, due to the nature of the case and by agreement with the administrator, loan applications can be processed by the board between two board meetings.
Who can apply for a loan?
Get an overview of the types of businesses to which the Bornholm Business Fund usually grants loans.
The fund provides loans to new and existing businesses on Bornholm that are assessed as being able to contribute to business and population development on the island. In special cases, the fund may also invest by subscribing for shares or corporate shares.
Loans can normally be applied for businesses within:
- Industry
- Food and delicacies
- Tourism – accommodation/attractions/experiences
- Art and crafts
- Crafts, service and trade
- Agriculture
The foundation normally provides not loan for:
- Restaurants, cafés, kiosks
- Retail stores
All applications are assessed individually. The overview is therefore for guidance only. If you are in doubt as to whether your company or project falls within the foundation's purpose, you are always welcome to contact us.
What can you apply for a loan for?
Get an overview of the investments and projects that Bornholm's Business Fund normally provides loans for.
The fund provides loans for the establishment, development and expansion of businesses. This can include investments in buildings, machinery, fixtures and fittings, and equipment, as well as product and market development.
Here you can see what loans can normally be applied for:
Facility: Establishment, expansion, upgrading, new build, conversion, extension, machinery, fixtures and fittings, and equipment.
Business development: Product and market development, design, type approval, patenting, certification, webshop, sustainability, ESG and green transition.
The Animal Fund Expansion and retention of milk, piglet and finisher pig production.
The Tourism Fund: Establishment, expansion, upgrading, new build, conversion, extension, machinery, fixtures and fittings, and equipment.
The ownership transition programme: Acquisition of an existing business.
Green transition Renewable energy, waste reduction, resource-saving investments, recycling, sustainability, ESG and the green transition, including activities related to Energy Island Bornholm.
Business infrastructure Businesses that are critically important partners for other companies on Bornholm can normally provide loans for the purposes described under capital works, business development, changes of ownership and green transition.
All applications are assessed individually. The overview is therefore for guidance only. If you are in doubt as to whether your company or project falls within the foundation's purpose, you are always welcome to contact us.
Get help from the fund administrator
Would you like any further help?
Do you need brainstorming and guidance on the options for applying for funding to realise your development plans and create growth in your business? Contact fund administrator Henrik Kofod for a no-obligation chat about your options.
