Global private equity group EQT has held the closing of the EQT Ventures Fund, a multi-stage venture capital fund advised by the EQT Ventures team at EQT Partners (EQT Ventures).
The fund will invest in fast-growing, innovative and tech-enabled companies across Europe, supporting great entrepreneurs throughout different stages of growth.
Thomas von Koch, Managing Partner and CEO of EQT, says: “There is a huge opportunity for venture capital investing in Europe – transformational shifts in technology are occurring across numerous industries and this disruption is spurring on new, innovative companies. EQT Ventures is ideally equipped to support great entrepreneurs in this fast-paced environment, combining the team´s own entrepreneurial skills with EQT’s proven industrial approach to building better companies.”
The fund has received strong interest from global investors. It is also backed by a network of prominent entrepreneurs, contributing approximately 10 per cent of committed capital. In addition, key professionals within EQT Partners have contributed with approximately 10 per cent of committed capital, showing a strong alignment of interest. Five investments have already been made – Riskmethods (Germany), Wolt (Finland), Holidu (Germany), Min Doktor (Sweden) and Oden Technologies (UK).
EQT Ventures is headed by technology industry veterans Hjalmar Winbladh, Kees Koolen and Lars Jörnow. The team combines investment specialists with operational experts that have experience in helping some of Europe’s most successful companies scale in technology, design, analytics, global roll-out, marketing and communications. Portfolio company growth will be further supported by EQT’s established network of over 250 independent Industrial Advisors, which features a variety of global business leaders and successful entrepreneurs. The initiative also includes an ambitious software driven approach called Motherbrain, where tech will be used to proactively source investment opportunities, and Together, a matchmaking tool for angel investors and early-stage startups.
Hjalmar Winbladh, Founding Partner, EQT Ventures, said: “Innovation is hard, and turning it into a global tech company is even harder. It requires focus and stamina as well as resources and teamwork – and this is something our team has had first-hand experience in, as we’ve created our own start-up companies. This is where we can help. The aim is to provide the resources, skills and experience to help partnering companies deliver sustainable, profitable growth.”
Kees Koolen, Founding Partner, EQT Ventures, adds: “EQT Ventures is modeled after what VC we would have wanted on our own entrepreneurial journeys. I don’t think anyone in Europe rivals our team no matter if it’s about earlier stage innovation or about scaling a company to become a global winner.”
The fund is backed by a global investor base including, among others, HarbourVest Partners, Ilmarinen, Finnish Industry Investment, European Investment Fund (EIF), The Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund (AP4), Vaekstfonden and SEB Pension och Försäkring AB.
The fundraising for the fund has now closed. Accordingly, the foregoing should in no way be treated as any form of offer or solicitation to subscribe for or make any commitments for or in respect of any securities or other interests or to engage in any other transaction.
