Business Finland is a Finnish government agency established in 2018, focusing on innovation funding and services to promote internationalization and travel. It supports research communities, industry, and service sectors, emphasizing a diverse approach to innovation that includes technological, service-related, design, business, and social advancements. The agency does not seek financial profit from its activities and does not claim intellectual property rights. Business Finland plays a crucial role in connecting international buyers with Finnish companies, facilitating investment opportunities, and showcasing Finland's key industries, which range from food and nature to advanced technology. Its initiatives aim to foster continuous innovation with a global impact, particularly in sectors such as cleantech, digitalization, consumer goods, and healthcare.
Superhero Capital, established in 2015, is a Helsinki-based venture capital firm focusing on seed-stage investments in technology-driven startups. It primarily invests in business-to-business software and services, with a particular interest in health tech, fintech, and IoT sectors, across Finland and the Baltics. The firm typically invests between €100,000 and €1,000,000, supporting founders and early-stage companies with both capital and expertise.
Tesi, established in 1995, is a Finnish government agency that promotes business growth and employment through strategic investments. It manages a portfolio exceeding €570 million, investing directly in companies and through venture capital funds. Tesi's focus is on stimulating growth, internationalisation, spin-offs, major industrial investments, and restructurings across various sectors.
Lifeline Ventures, established in 2009 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments. It primarily invests in Finnish startups, with a few investments outside Finland, targeting sectors such as healthcare, games, web-based technologies, and high tech. The firm typically invests between €0.5 million and €1 million per round, from inception to Series A.
Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) is an international financial institution founded in 1975 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. It primarily provides sustainable, long-term financing to public and private sector clients across its member countries, which include Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden, as well as non-member nations. NIB offers a range of financial products such as corporate loans, sovereign loans, and loans to municipalities, as well as project and structured finance. The bank also invests in green bonds and provides liquidity, collateral, and portfolio management services. NIB's mission is to enhance competitiveness and environmental sustainability in the Nordic and Baltic regions by financing projects in sectors like energy, transport, and infrastructure. By acquiring funds through international capital markets, NIB ensures competitive market terms for its clients, making it a reliable source of long-term financing. All projects undergo sustainability assessments, reinforcing NIB's commitment to financing initiatives that contribute positively to the region's future.
Voima Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2019 and headquartered in Espoo, Finland. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage deep tech companies, particularly in the fields of bio and new materials, medical technologies, life sciences, imaging and optics, IoT, electronics, robotics, software, ICT, and artificial intelligence. Voima Ventures aims to address significant global challenges by merging scientific innovation with entrepreneurial efforts and providing value-added capital. The firm typically invests between €150,000 and €500,000 in seed and pre-seed stages, with potential investments in Series A and B rounds reaching up to €2 million. With a portfolio that includes over 30 startups, Voima Ventures is supported by cornerstone investors such as VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the European Investment Fund, in addition to backing from Finnish private and institutional investors.
The European Innovation Council (EIC), established in 2020 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, is dedicated to supporting high-potential innovators, entrepreneurs, small enterprises, and researchers. Its primary focus is on fostering early-stage startups that demonstrate significant environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts. The EIC collaborates with private investors to co-invest in ventures, particularly within the deep technology sector, aiming to drive innovation and sustainable development across Europe. By providing financial backing and resources, the EIC seeks to enhance the growth potential of promising startups and contribute to a more innovative and competitive European economy.
Innovestor, established in 2014, is a Finnish venture capital firm headquartered in Helsinki. It invests in early-stage technology, life science, and health startups, as well as commercial real estate. The company offers investors access to carefully selected growth opportunities and provides growth companies with funding at competitive terms and valuable insights from its experienced team and industry experts. Innovestor is supervised by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority.
Pontos is a family-owned private equity and real estate investment company based in Helsinki, Finland. Established in 2001, it operates in Finland, the Baltic States, and Portugal. The firm focuses on a diverse range of investments, including commercial real estate, property development projects, and real estate development companies. Additionally, Pontos invests in property technology, listed shares, fixed-income investments, and private equity funds, reflecting a broad investment strategy aimed at various sectors within the real estate and financial markets.
Vaaka Partners, established in 1989, is a Finland-based private equity firm focusing on mid-market investments. It specializes in growth capital, management buyouts, and co-investments, primarily in consumer and tech sectors across Europe. The firm also considers bridge financing and venture capital opportunities, with a preference for healthcare, SaaS, manufacturing, IT, and business services companies.
CapMan, established in 1989, is a leading Nordic private assets management company. It specializes in investing in unlisted businesses, real estate, and infrastructure, with a focus on creating value and contributing to economic well-being. CapMan operates through two business areas: Private Equity and Real Estate. Its Private Equity arm invests in a broad range of sectors, including B2B, B2C, healthcare, and technology, primarily in Northern Europe. CapMan's Real Estate division invests in high-quality environments and utilities, aiming to enhance societal functionality. The company's expertise lies in building better organized, managed, and financially stable companies, fostering job creation and innovation.
EASME is a European Union executive agency that supports small and medium-sized enterprises and promotes innovation in Europe. It manages projects in the areas of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the environment, energy, and maritime sectors, funded by COSME, LIFE, and EMFF. EASME organizes the European Sustainable Energy Week and serves industries such as environmental management, energy production, and maritime activities.
Maki.vc is a venture capital firm established in 2018 and located in Helsinki, Finland. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage companies, spanning from their inception to Series A and beyond. Maki.vc targets a diverse range of sectors, including deep tech, consumer products and services, healthcare technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. While the firm is rooted in the Nordics, it actively seeks opportunities on a global scale, particularly in countries such as Sweden, Norway, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Maki.vc partners with companies that challenge conventional norms, emphasizing strong intellectual property and a deep understanding of customer needs. The firm aligns itself with visionary founders who are committed to innovation and disruption in their respective industries.
Butterfly Ventures, established in 2012, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Oulu, Finland, with additional offices in Helsinki and Stockholm. The company specializes in seed-stage investments, focusing on deep tech, hardware, and hardware interfacing software startups in the Nordics. Butterfly Ventures typically invests in companies at an early stage, with 80% of its portfolio companies not having any revenue at the time of investment. Since its inception, it has been one of the most active early-stage VCs in the region.
Springvest is a crowdfunding platform based in Helsinki, Finland, established in 2012. It aims to streamline the financing process for promising Finnish growth companies, allowing them to focus on their business rather than spending excessive time on fundraising. By connecting these companies with investors seeking higher potential opportunities, Springvest facilitates financing rounds that empower businesses to capitalize on their ideas more quickly and effectively. The platform encourages Finnish investors to engage with local growth companies, fostering a community that supports innovation and potential success in the Finnish market.
VTT Ventures Ltd, established in 2010, is the venture capital arm of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, a state-owned, leading European research institution. Based in Espoo, Finland, the firm specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on pre-seed, seed, and start-up phases, as well as spin-offs. VTT Ventures invests across various sectors, including imaging and optics, IoT and electronics, life science, materials and manufacturing, sensing and diagnostics, software, and ICT. It uses straight equity and convertible debt financing instruments, typically investing between EUR 0.11 million and EUR 0.6 million per transaction. The firm seeks minority stakes up to 25% in companies with revenue up to EUR 1 million and enterprise value between EUR 2 million and EUR 5 million. VTT Ventures aims to be an active owner, taking up a Board seat, and seeks to exit its investments within five years. It prefers to invest from its balance sheet and focuses on Finland-based companies with international growth potential.
Inventure, established in 2005, is a Helsinki-based venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments in technology, software, and digital services. With over €230 million in assets under management, Inventure specializes in Seed and Series A funding, typically investing between €100,000 and €10 million per company over its lifecycle. The firm supports its portfolio companies with talent acquisition and expansion strategies, with a track record of over 70 investments across the Nordics and Baltics, including notable brands like Wolt, Detectify, and Blueprint Genetics. Inventure has two active funds, Inventure Fund I (2008 vintage) and Inventure Fund II (2014 vintage), both targeting software companies in the region.
MB Funds, established in 1988, is a Helsinki-based private equity firm specializing in mid-market investments in Finland. The company focuses on buyout, privatization, buy-and-build, and growth capital transactions, targeting established businesses seeking capital for expansion or change of ownership.
Vendep Capital, established in 2013 and based in Espoo, Finland, is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments. It focuses on pre-series A funding for technology companies, with a particular emphasis on B2B SaaS and B2B marketplaces in the Nordics and Baltics. The firm typically invests between 0.1 to 3 million euros per company, providing not only capital but also leveraging its extensive SaaS expertise and global networks to support and accelerate the growth of promising startups.
Solidium is a Finnish state-owned holding company that invests in businesses, prioritizing financial returns while considering national interests. It actively participates in the Finnish capital market, funding its operations through investment returns and debt.
OP Financial Group is a prominent financial services institution based in Helsinki, Finland, established in 1902. It comprises 180 cooperative banks and serves over 1.4 million customer-owners. The group offers a comprehensive suite of services, including banking, wealth management, and non-life insurance, catering to businesses, institutions, and private individuals. Its banking segment provides a range of solutions, such as loans, daily banking services, payment transactions, and cash management, tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients. OP Financial Group is committed to evolving from traditional banking practices to a more customer-centric approach, emphasizing technology and innovation to enhance the customer experience and address future financial needs.
Sentica Partners Oy is a private equity firm based in Helsinki, Finland, established in 2004. The firm specializes in acquiring and developing small and mid-sized companies, primarily focusing on management buyouts, growth equity, and corporate acquisitions. It targets sectors such as healthcare, information technology, equipment manufacturing, medical devices, engineering, industrial biotechnology, and business services, among others. Sentica prefers to invest in companies with annual sales ranging from €10 million to €100 million and enterprise values between €5 million and €50 million, typically committing between €0.5 million and €15 million per transaction. The firm is particularly interested in businesses located in Finland, especially in the Päijät-Häme region, and seeks to establish a presence in its portfolio companies, often acquiring majority or minority stakes and taking seats on their boards. Sentica Partners manages funds totaling approximately €180 million, primarily sourced from Finnish institutional investors and select European fund of funds.
Juuri Partners, established in 2015, is a Helsinki-based private equity firm that provides financing and strategic support to established, profitable small and medium-sized enterprises in Finland. The company offers a unique financing concept that combines active minority investment, debt financing, and tailored business support to help growth-oriented companies thrive. Juuri Partners works closely with entrepreneurs and owners, acting as both a financial partner and an external sparring partner, committed to the company's success. The owners retain majority control, benefiting from the increased shareholder value achieved together.
Nexit Ventures, established in 1999, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, with an additional office in Palo Alto, California. The company specializes in investing in high-tech and B2B companies, focusing on digital disruption and technology sectors across the Nordic region, with a particular interest in the United States' West Coast. Nexit Ventures provides growth capital, typically investing between $0.63 million and $12.62 million, to companies in various stages, from seed to mature.
Danske Bank A/S, established in 1871 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a leading Nordic universal bank. It offers a comprehensive range of banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, corporates, institutions, and personal customers across Denmark, the Nordics, and selected other markets. The bank's services include daily banking, home financing, investments, retirement planning, strategic advisory, leasing, financing, and wealth management. Danske Bank also provides mobile banking services and operates in areas such as capital markets, fixed income and currencies, and transaction banking and investor services. It has a significant presence in the region, with over 5 million retail customers and a dominant market share in lending and deposits in Denmark. Danske Private Equity, a subsidiary of Danske Bank, is a specialist in small and mid-market buyout funds in Europe and North America, managing funds for premium institutional investors.
Trafigura Group is a multinational commodity trading company established in 1993, specializing in the trading and distribution of a diverse array of commodities, including oil, metals, minerals, and agricultural products. As one of the world's largest commodity trading firms, Trafigura engages in multiple facets of the commodity supply chain, such as sourcing, transportation, storage, and distribution. The company operates on a global scale, maintaining a strong presence in key markets and regions. Trafigura's activities encompass the trading of physical commodities, financial derivatives, and other instruments aimed at managing price risk and optimizing supply chain operations. Additionally, the company owns and operates various industrial assets, including Nyrstar, a multi-metals producer, and Puma Energy, a fuel storage and distribution enterprise. It also engages in joint ventures with Impala Terminals, a logistics provider, and Nala Renewables, focused on power and renewable energy investments and developments.
Sponsor Capital, established in 1997, is a Finnish private equity firm that invests in small to mid-sized companies, primarily in Finland. It specializes in industry and family company ownership restructurings, acquisitions, and growth capital, with a focus on Finnish mid-sized companies operating domestically or internationally. The firm typically invests between €5 million and €30 million in companies with turnover between €15 million and €150 million, seeking majority stakes alone or with a co-investor. Sponsor Capital aims to exit investments through an initial public offering within four to seven years.
Finnish Climate Fund is a special-purpose company owned by the state, whose activities focus on combating climate change, accelerating the low-carbon industry, and promoting digitalization. The Climate Fund’s primary investment targets are industrial scale-ups of climate solutions: the first verification of new technology and/or its business model at an industrial or commercial scale. The other investment category of the Climate Fund includes physical or digital platforms enabling emissions reductions. During its launching phase, the Climate Fund can provide capital loans or use special investment funds and other special funding instruments. The company will not award direct grants or subsidies. Depending on the financing category and target, the financing by the Climate Fund can vary between 1 and 20 million euros. The annual financing volume is approximately 80 million euros.
Intera Partners is a Finnish growth-oriented private equity firm established in 2007 and headquartered in Helsinki. The firm focuses on investing in Finnish and Swedish companies with annual sales ranging from €10 to €200 million, aiming to acquire majority ownership. Intera seeks to enhance the growth and internationalization of its portfolio companies, facilitate industry consolidation, and support generational shifts in family-owned businesses. The firm is committed to sustainable investing and adheres to the principles set forth by relevant industry associations, including the Finnish Venture Capital Association and FIBS. Intera has a strong emphasis on responsible investment practices, following established valuation and reporting guidelines within the private equity sector.
Icebreaker is an early stage venture capital fund managed by Icebreaker.vc .The fund is located in Helsinki, Finland and invests in Finland. The fund targets the software sector and prefers investment ranging from EUR 40 thousand to EUR 350 thousand.
Tencent Holdings Limited is a leading internet service provider based in Shenzhen, China, known for its extensive range of value-added services, including online games, social networking, financial technology, and online advertising. Founded in 1998, Tencent operates major platforms such as WeChat and QQ, which facilitate communication, entertainment, and e-commerce for millions of users. The company is recognized as the world's largest video game publisher, with popular titles like Honor of Kings in its portfolio. In addition to its core services, Tencent is involved in the production and distribution of films and television programs, as well as software development and digital content licensing. With a focus on user-oriented strategies, Tencent continues to adapt and expand its offerings, positioning itself as a vital part of daily life for many consumers in China and beyond.
Sitra is a Finnish government agency based in Helsinki, established in 1967. It serves as the venture capital investment arm of the Finnish Innovation Fund, focusing on seed and early-stage investments. Sitra specializes in three primary programmes: Health Care, Food and Nutrition, and Environmental. The Health Care Programme targets companies involved in paper-free health care, seamless service delivery, and decentralized specialized health care solutions. The Food and Nutrition Programme invests in businesses that enhance the food and nutrition sector through innovative applications and the value-added processing of raw materials. Through these initiatives, Sitra aims to support projects that promote economic efficiency, improve education and research, and explore future development scenarios, thereby enhancing Finland's international competitiveness.
VisionPlus is a Finnish venture capital firm established in 2011, located in Helsinki. The firm focuses on investing in digital products, including applications, games, and services across various digital platforms. Its investment portfolio encompasses software-as-a-service, mobile applications, and internet services, as well as special content intellectual property deals. The management team at VisionPlus possesses extensive experience in technology, entrepreneurship, and seed investments, having successfully developed and managed large-scale business and development organizations in a global context.
Sisu Game Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Helsinki, Finland, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in investing exclusively in the gaming industry, with a strong focus on supporting promising founders and innovative startups. With deep roots in the Nordic region, Sisu has cultivated a global network of founders and industry experts. The team comprises experienced professionals from the gaming and startup sectors, having founded and built numerous game companies since the early 1990s, achieving several successful exits. In addition to providing capital, Sisu Game Ventures acts as a studio builder, assisting individual founders in assembling their teams, refining product strategies, and connecting with the right investors.
Stephen Industries, established in 1992, is a Finland-based, family-owned venture capital firm. It focuses on investing in health tech, greentech, and deep tech sectors, aiming to support innovative, environmentally conscious solutions.
Aboa Venture Management Oy is a venture capital firm located in Turku, Finland, established in 1994. The company focuses on investing in small and medium-sized enterprises across various sectors, including business-to-business services, healthcare, software as a service, manufacturing, life sciences, education technology, technology media and telecommunications, and industrial sectors. By concentrating on Finnish enterprises, Aboa aims to support and foster the growth of innovative businesses within the local economy.
Midinvest Management Oy, established in 1994, is a Finnish private equity firm specializing in providing ownership arrangements for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Finland, with a focus on Central Finland. The firm invests in early-stage and growth capital opportunities, preferring technology companies, and structures investments through share capital, loans, or convertibles. Midinvest seeks board seats in its portfolio companies and typically exits through trade sales or secondary buyouts within three to seven years.
Swedbank AB is a prominent Nordic-Baltic banking group that provides a wide range of services, including retail banking and asset management. Established through the merger of savings and union banks in Sweden during the early 1990s, Swedbank has deep roots in the Swedish savings bank tradition. The bank primarily generates its income from its operations in Sweden, where it remains one of the oldest financial institutions. Additionally, Swedbank holds a significant market presence in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, boasting a market share in retail banking that ranges from 20% to 55%. The bank collaborates closely with independent savings banks in Sweden, utilizing shared IT systems and development costs to enhance its product distribution channels.
Wave Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2016 and based in Helsinki, Finland, with an additional office in Sweden. It is recognized as the largest student-run venture capital firm in Europe, focusing on pre-seed investments in early-stage companies. The firm primarily targets Gen Z entrepreneurs and seeks to support businesses in the B2B, B2C, financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors across the Nordic countries, including Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. With a team of five professionals drawn from leading universities in the region and backed by Nordic unicorn founders, Wave Ventures is dedicated to fostering innovation and growth among emerging startups.
Supercell is a mobile game developer based in Helsinki, Finland, with additional operations in San Francisco. Founded in 2012 by experienced industry veterans, the company focuses on creating games designed for tablets and touch devices. Supercell adopts a unique approach by empowering small, independent teams to develop engaging games that appeal to a broad audience and are intended to be played for years. The company's notable titles include Clash Royale, Boom Beach, Clash of Clans, and Hay Day, which span various genres such as combat strategy and farming. By prioritizing user engagement and social interaction, Supercell aims to provide enjoyable gaming experiences across multiple platforms, specifically targeting both iOS and Android users.
Nordic Option Oy is a venture capital firm based in Oulu, Finland, established in 1994. The firm specializes in investing in small and medium-sized growth technology companies located in the Northern regions of Finland, specifically Oulu, Lappi, and Kokkola. Nordic Option focuses on both early-stage and later-stage investments, aiming to provide capital ranging from €0.5 million to €3.84 million to companies with a minimum sales value of €1 million. The firm does not engage in property sector investments and has a portfolio with an investment value of approximately €10 million, along with around €1 million in loans granted. Nordic Option's investment strategy allows for up to five early-stage growth investments, supporting the development of established companies in its target regions.
Bocap, established in 2012, is a Helsinki-based private equity firm. It specializes in investing in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the technology and healthcare sectors across Finland. The firm's approach involves providing financing alongside strategic and operational support to boost the growth of these competitive businesses, both domestically and internationally.
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.) is a prominent financial institution based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1856. The bank provides a diverse range of services, including corporate, retail, investment, and private banking. Its Large Corporates & Financial Institutions division caters to significant corporate and institutional clients in the Nordic region, Germany, and the United Kingdom, offering services such as equity and debt capital market transactions, financing, and macroeconomic analysis. The Corporate & Private Customers division serves individual clients and smaller businesses, providing everyday banking and private banking services. Additionally, the Baltic division focuses on banking services for private individuals and small to medium-sized enterprises in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The bank also offers life insurance solutions and asset management services tailored for institutional and retail clients across the Nordic and Baltic countries. SEB emphasizes customized products for small and medium-sized enterprises, developed in collaboration with larger corporate clients, reinforcing its position as a leading corporate and investment bank in the region.
VNT Management, established in 2002, is a Finnish venture capital firm specializing in clean technology investments. Based in Tampere, it offers investors access to three dedicated funds focusing on clean energy and related sectors across Europe. The company provides entrepreneurs with services such as supply management, business development, and technology evaluation. VNT Management has consistently delivered strong returns, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 25% and a top-quartile position among European venture capital funds.
Evli, established in 1985, is a Finnish investment banking group offering a broad spectrum of investment and asset management services to individuals, companies, and institutions. Headquartered in Helsinki, with offices in Turku, Stockholm, and Moscow, Evli specializes in corporate finance, advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financing, and providing equity research and capital markets services. Evli Growth Partners, founded in 2018, is a venture capital arm focusing on late-stage and growth capital investments in fast-growing European companies, typically investing between €3 million and €5 million. The team, comprising five serial entrepreneurs with extensive hands-on experience, prefers minority stakes and serves clients worldwide, tailoring financial solutions to meet their unique needs and goals.
VersoVentures is a Finnish private equity firm that specializes in investing in spin-offs and growth companies. The company is dedicated to identifying and nurturing promising business ventures within the Nordic region and broader European market. By focusing on businesses with significant potential for expansion, VersoVentures aims to support their development and enhance their market presence. With a strategic approach to investment, the firm seeks to foster innovation and drive value creation in the companies it partners with, ultimately contributing to their long-term success.
Promus Ventures, established in 2012, is a Chicago-based venture capital firm with an additional office in San Francisco. The company specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on deep-tech software and hardware companies led by visionary and determined founding teams. Promus Ventures typically invests between $0.5 million and $1 million in its portfolio companies, with a global investment focus, primarily in the United States, UK, Germany, Finland, and New Zealand.
Helmet Capital, established in 1998, is a Finnish private equity firm based in Helsinki. It specializes in direct majority investments in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Finland. The firm targets companies operating in sectors such as life science, retail, services, and information technology. Helmet Capital manages funds for a diverse range of investors, including private individuals, family businesses, and institutional investors. The firm's team comprises ten private equity professionals and four advisors, bringing extensive experience from various sectors and investment banking.
Play Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2018 and based in Singapore. The company specializes in investing globally in startups within the gaming and gaming services sectors, focusing on pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages. Play Ventures emphasizes opportunities in free-to-play and web3 gaming, aiming to support innovative companies that shape the future of the gaming industry. Through its strategic investments, Play Ventures seeks to nurture a diverse portfolio of gaming-related ventures.
Gorilla Capital Management Oy is an investment firm focused on early-stage technology companies in the Nordic region, specifically targeting businesses in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia. The firm seeks to identify and support innovative startups with the potential for significant growth in the technology sector. By providing capital and strategic guidance, Gorilla Capital aims to foster the development of promising enterprises that can contribute to the dynamic landscape of the Nordic technology market.