Energy Impact Partners (EIP) has established a credit group to support U.S.-based small and middle-market businesses, with a specific focus on energy impact-related investments.

The group will primarily offer debt financing solutions, such as first and second lien secured term loans and unsecured debt — leveraging EIP’s existing infrastructure, expertise in equity investing and utility partner network to broaden the firm’s financial solution offerings.

In conjunction with this news, EIP hired Harry Giovani as a managing partner and Greg Richards, CFA, as managing director, responsible for overseeing the credit group. The two will focus on deal sourcing and execution, as well as portfolio monitoring and operations.

Giovani has more than two decades of investment management and commercial finance experience, developing strong investment strategies and processes in prior roles. Before joining EIP, Giovani was co-founder, senior managing director, chief credit officer and member of all investment committees of CION Investment Group, an investment manager for funds providing alternative financing to companies in asset-intensive industries, as well as a $1.5 billion business development company called CION Investment Corporation.

Richards has more than 13 years of experience in middle market private investing, investment banking and lending. Previously, Richards was a senior investment professional at Medley Capital, where he sourced, underwrote and executed middle-market private investment transactions.

New York-based EIP is a private equity firm that strategically invests in innovative technologies, services and products throughout the electricity supply chain from generation to consumption.