2024 was a landmark year for Innovestor as we celebrated our 10th anniversary and reached some impressive milestones. Before we turn our focus to the opportunities ahead in 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on and celebrate the highlights of the past year.
For yet another year, Innovestor has solidified its position as one of the most active early-stage investors in the Nordics. In 2024, we:
- Welcomed 36 exceptional companies to our portfolio.
- Completed 18 follow-on investments and celebrated two exciting portfolio exits.
- Acquired two new commercial properties to our Real Estate portfolio.
- Launched a unique Energy Storage investment segment.
- Launched several new Corporate Venturing partnerships with leading industry brands.
- Hosted community-focused events and backed initiatives supporting women in entrepreneurship.
- Celebrated a huge milestone – Innovestor’s 10th Anniversary!
36 Investments, 18 follow-ons, and two successful portfolio exits
With six VC funds and over €250 million capital under management, 2024 was a dynamic year of investing across our Life Science Fund, Technology Fund, Growth Fund III, and Angel CoFund.
We proudly welcomed 36 exceptional companies to our portfolio, including Clair Scientific, DEEP Measures, Soihtu DTx, Polku Therapeutics, Kasvu Therapeutics, and Dobbelgänger, to name just a few.
Beyond new additions, we reinforced our commitment with 18 follow-on investments and celebrated successful portfolio exits with 9Solutions and Vachtech.
Launching a new investment segment in Energy Storage
In 2024, we also launched a unique Energy Storage investment segment aimed at accelerating Finland’s transition to clean energy. The first €20 million initiative involves installing decentralized battery systems across 30 commercial properties, reducing carbon emissions by 900 tons annually and improving grid efficiency.
Supported by €3.6 million in REPowerEU funding, this project underscores our commitment to smarter, more resilient energy systems. Read more about the initiative here.
Expanding our Real Estate portfolio
This year, we continued to expand our real estate portfolio by consistently acquiring new commercial properties and delivering strong returns.
Key highlights:
- Kalliosolantie 4, Vantaa: A modern circular economy service hub designed for Lassila & Tikanoja Oyj, featuring sustainability-focused solutions like geothermal heating and a green roof.
- Jäspilänkatu 20, Kerava: A newly developed commercial property with energy-efficient features and strong long-term tenants InCar and A-Katsastus.
“Every year since 2018, our unique commercial real estate projects have expanded and yielded consistent market-leading returns, including annual payouts”, says Tomi Asanti, Managing Partner at Innovestor Real Estate.
Learn more about our real estate projects on our website.
Supporting women in entrepreneurship
In December, together with University of Helsinki and Maki.vc, we hosted the “Future Female Founders“ event to connect female researchers with entrepreneurial opportunities. With inspiring speakers and panelists, the event tackled challenges in gender balance within entrepreneurship.
Key takeaways:
- Women-led businesses deliver strong returns.
- Balance work, family, and entrepreneurship by seeking support when needed.
- Networks are key – build yours and surround yourself with those who inspire you.
Earlier in the year, we joined the European Women in VC (EWVC) community, Europe’s largest network of senior female venture capital investors. EWVC is dedicated to driving systemic change by empowering women-led funds and startups. Read more about EWVC here.
Active year for Corporate Venturing
Through our Corporate Venturing activities, we acted as an advisor in several startup-corporate processes. One highlight being our advisory support for a pioneering biocomposite company Syklo Group in their acquisition of Elastopoli Oy.
“It is a privilege to work with people and companies addressing climate change and biodiversity challenges. In some cases, startup innovation is the fastest route to impactful results,” says Matti Härkönen, Managing Partner at Innovestor Corporate Venturing.
Read more about the case here.
Celebrating a decade of Innovestor
We marked our 10th anniversary in style during Slush 2024, starting with the PALO Accelerator Deal Day Breakfast, where seven startups pitched their innovative solutions in AI, energy, and the circular economy to a bunch of investors.
That evening, we hosted 230 guests at our office for a celebration that included:
- A red carpet welcome, buffet, and signature cocktails
- Speeches from Group CEO Wilhelm Lindholm, and Group Chair Tommi Äijälä
- AI empowered “What’s Next” session sharing our vision for the future
- Entertainment from Emilia Sisco and DJ Paha vaanii
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in making the evening unforgettable!
Looking ahead to 2025
As we step into the new year, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead. Thank you to our partners, investors, founders and other stakeholders for a fantastic year, 2024!
Stay tuned for more updates and milestones, we can’t wait to share them with you!