Founded in 1983, IFCIC (Institute for the Financing of Cinema and Cultural Industries) is a specialized financial institution dedicated to supporting the cultural and creative sectors. The French State has entrusted IFCIC with a public-interest mission: facilitating access to bank financing for companies operating in these industries. As a sector-focused institution, IFCIC is owned 49% by the French State and the Bpifrance Group, while the remaining 51% is held by a private shareholder base that includes nearly all major banks established in France.
For the video game industry, IFCIC helps development studios and publishers access financing through two main solutions: financial guarantees and loans.
Financial Guarantees
Designed for banks, IFCIC’s guarantee scheme encourages lending to video game companies. As the primary financing tool generally considered by IFCIC when supporting a project, it often acts as a decisive catalyst for bank involvement.
IFCIC’s bank guarantee covers up to 70% of loans of up to €300,000 and 50% of higher-value loans. It applies to all types of financing arrangements, including traditional loans, lease financing, financial leasing, and bank commitments, helping studios and publishers meet a wide range of funding needs.
The IFCIC guarantee can support various financing requirements, including:
- Partial financing of the working capital needed to develop a video game;
- Investment in equipment and other tangible assets;
- Strengthening working capital;
- Business creation, acquisition, or takeover projects.
Loans
Available directly to development studios and publishers, IFCIC loans are intended for projects requiring enhanced financial support. They are designed to create leverage and facilitate access to additional funding sources, particularly bank financing, and are often used alongside an IFCIC guarantee.
IFCIC video game loans are systematically structured as participatory loans and do not require any collateral or personal guarantees from borrowers. Their purpose is to provide financing adapted to the specific needs of studios and publishers, while helping companies strengthen their structure and scale up their operations. This enables studios to reach a level of production that helps diversify and reduce commercial risk.
IFCIC’s intervention can also play a crucial role in triggering fundraising rounds and attracting private investors.
Loans granted under the Video Game Participatory Fund (FPJV) may be repaid over the short, medium, or long term, depending on the nature of the project. They can finance up to 100% of eligible expenditure, with a maximum amount of €2 million per project.
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Edouard Tunc