The process of doing business can be seen as a permanent link between investment means and investment opportunities. During this process ideas are generated, turned into business projects and implemented as innovations. In general, investment means and investment opportunities are joined together on mutually interconnected investment markets. This paper describes the preconditions for efficient operation of these markets, using mathematical analysis and a derived model, based on a theory of cooperative games. Barriers to the use of investment opportunities for SMEs are identified that are due either to the underdevelopment of some segments of the financial markets, or positional investment. Finally, specific recommendations for the support of small and medium-sized enterprises are made.