Top 12 Optical Laser Manufacturing Investors in the Nordics
Top 12 Optical Laser Manufacturing Investors in the Nordics
The optical laser manufacturing industry in the Nordics is characterized by an array of innovative companies creating cutting-edge laser technologies. This sector includes firms designing specialized optical systems, manufacturing laser equipment for telecommunications, and developing advanced photonics applications that touch various fields, from automotive to healthcare. Interest in autonomous vehicles and smart technology is propelling growth, as precision and efficiency are paramount. Nations like Sweden, Finland, and Norway leverage strong research institutions to enhance collaboration between academia and industry, fostering a culture of innovation. As the demand for optical solutions expands, the industry is poised for significant advancements.
This article highlights twelve notable investors in the optical laser manufacturing sector, representing various types from venture capital to corporate investors. Headquartered across key Nordic cities, including Stockholm and Helsinki, these investors range in size from small teams to major firms with thousands of employees. Founded between 1855 and 2019, they engaged in a total of 78 investment deals in 2024. Their collective experience and active participation reflect a robust interest in supporting high-tech innovations within the optics field.
Top 12 Optical Laser Manufacturing Investors in the Nordics
1. Almi
- Website: almi.se
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 1994
- Headcount: 201-500
- Number of deals in 2024: 7
- LinkedIn: almi-ab
Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. It specializes in providing loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. Almi aims to enhance the growth and competitiveness of these businesses by offering tailored financial solutions and guidance. Among its notable transactions, Almi has invested in Polar Light Technologies, which raised over $3.4 million in a venture round, indicating a focus on innovative technologies that may include optical applications. Additionally, Almi has participated in funding rounds for other tech startups like Adamant Quanta, which is developing advanced atomic clock technologies, potentially relevant to precision optical applications. These investments reflect Almi's commitment to supporting high-tech ventures, making it a potential player in the optical laser manufacturing space.
2. EQT Group
- Website: eqtgroup.com
- Type: Private Equity
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 1994
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Number of deals in 2024: 30
- LinkedIn: eqt-partners
EQT Group is a prominent investment firm founded in 1994, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, EQT serves institutional investors by managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Among their notable transactions, EQT acquired Carl Zeiss Vision, a key player in the optical industry, in 2005. Additionally, they acquired Zemax Software Holdings LLC in 2018, a company that provides optical design software, further emphasizing their commitment to the optical sector. EQT's involvement in these transactions highlights their strategic interest in companies that contribute to the optical laser manufacturing landscape, making them a significant player in this industry.
3. Industrifonden
- Website: industrifonden.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 1979
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 9
- LinkedIn: industrifonden
Industrifonden is a venture capital fund based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1979. The fund specializes in investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the fields of Deep Tech, Life Science, and Transformative Tech. Industrifonden provides financial support and strategic guidance to startups, helping them scale their innovative solutions. Notably, they have invested in poLight AS, a provider of autofocus lenses for mobile phone cameras, which raised significant funding rounds in 2015 and 2016. This investment highlights their involvement in optical technologies. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for other tech startups like Adamant Quanta, which focuses on advanced technologies, and AlixLabs, a semiconductor company, indicating a broader interest in tech innovations that may intersect with optical laser manufacturing.
4. Investinor
- Website: investinor.no
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Trondheim, Trøndelag, Norway
- Founded year: 2008
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 4
- LinkedIn: investinor
Investinor AS is a venture capital investment company based in Trondheim, Trøndelag, Norway, founded in 2008. It specializes in providing funding to promising startups and companies, helping them grow and achieve market leadership. Investinor manages state interests in seed and venture funds and collaborates with entrepreneurs and other investors. Notably, Investinor has been involved in several transactions relevant to the optical technology sector, particularly with poLight AS, which raised significant funding to develop its autofocus lens technology. In 2011, poLight raised USD 18.5 million in Series B funding, followed by NOK 160 million in equity funding in 2016, showcasing Investinor's commitment to supporting innovations in optical technologies. These transactions highlight Investinor's active role in the optical sector, making it a relevant investor in the optical laser manufacturing industry.
5. Ericsson
- Website: ericsson.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 1876
- Headcount: 10001+
- Number of deals in 2024: 3
- LinkedIn: ericsson
Ericsson is a telecommunications company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1876. With over 10,000 employees, Ericsson specializes in advanced connectivity solutions, including 5G networks and IoT platforms. Their investments reflect a commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and user experiences through reliable connectivity. Notably, Ericsson has made significant investments in the optical technology sector, including a recent investment in Nubis Communications, a photonics innovator that focuses on optical engine technologies, which received funding to accelerate its developments. Additionally, Ericsson's acquisition of a US fiber technology firm and their investment in Skorpios Technologies further demonstrate their engagement in the optical and fiber optics space, making them a relevant player in the optical laser manufacturing industry.
6. Innovestor
- Website: innovestorgroup.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Founded year: 2014
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 12
- LinkedIn: innovestor
Innovestor is an investment management company based in Helsinki, Finland, specializing in venture capital, real estate, and energy storage. Founded in 2014, Innovestor focuses on providing funding and support to early-stage startups and corporations, particularly in technology and life sciences. They offer services such as investment advice, corporate venturing, and participation in accelerator programs. Notably, Innovestor led a €1.2 million funding round for Maculaser, a Finnish startup developing medical technology that may involve optical laser applications. They also participated in funding rounds for other technology-focused companies, indicating a broader interest in innovative sectors that could intersect with optical laser manufacturing.
7. Lifeline Ventures
- Website: lifelineventures.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Founded year: 2009
- Headcount: 1-10
- Number of deals in 2024: 14
- LinkedIn: lifeline-ventures
Lifeline Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, providing financial backing and advisory services to startups across various sectors. Lifeline Ventures aims to support resilient founders from the inception of their ventures. Notably, they have participated in significant funding rounds for companies like Dispelix, which raised €12 million in Series A funding for AR see-through displays, and Varjo, which develops high-end enterprise XR headsets and has raised substantial amounts in Series C and D funding rounds. These transactions highlight Lifeline Ventures' engagement in sectors that are closely related to optical technologies, including augmented and extended reality, which often utilize advanced optical components and laser technologies.
8. Mycronic
- Website: mycronic.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Handen, Stockholms Län, Sweden
- Founded year: 1989
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Number of deals in 2024: 2
- LinkedIn: mycronic
Mycronic is a corporate investor based in Handen, Stockholms Län, Sweden, founded in 1989. The company specializes in high-precision production equipment for the electronics industry, focusing on solutions for PCB assembly, photomask equipment, and die bonding. Mycronic operates globally and is committed to innovation and sustainability. Recently, they have made significant acquisitions to enhance their product portfolio. Notably, they acquired Vanguard Automation, a German company specializing in 3D microfabrication technology, to bolster their capabilities in die bonding and optical packaging solutions. This acquisition aligns with their strategy to expand into areas relevant to optical technologies. Additionally, their acquisition of Automation Engineering, which focuses on camera assembly systems, and Shenzhen Axxon Automation, aimed at enhancing their position in the dispensing equipment market, further demonstrates their commitment to advancing technologies that may intersect with optical laser applications.
9. SEB Kort
- Website: seb.se
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 1855
- Headcount: 501-1000
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: seb-kort
SEB Kort, part of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (SEB), is a corporate investor based in Solna, Stockholm, Sweden. Founded in 1855, SEB is a prominent financial institution offering a comprehensive range of banking and financial services, including personal and corporate loans, investment management, and insurance products. In the context of optical laser manufacturing, SEB Kort has been involved in several transactions with ScandiNova, a company that specializes in advanced technology solutions, including laser systems. Notably, SEB Kort participated in multiple funding rounds for ScandiNova, including a Series A investment in 2005 and subsequent investments in 2006, 2007, and a Convertible Note in 2014, totaling over $7 million. These transactions highlight SEB Kort's engagement with technology-driven companies, reinforcing its relevance in the optical laser manufacturing sector.
10. CapMan
- Website: capman.com
- Type: Private Equity
- Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Founded year: 1989
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 4
- LinkedIn: capman
CapMan Oyj is an investment management firm based in Helsinki, Finland, specializing in private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and natural capital investments. Founded in 1989, CapMan serves institutional investors by providing access to diverse investment strategies aimed at achieving sustainable returns. The firm has a strong presence in the Nordic markets and leverages its expertise to manage funds and drive value creation for its clients. Notably, CapMan has been involved in several transactions relevant to the optical technology sector, including investments in Silex Microsystems, which raised $25 million in a venture round in 2008 and has received additional funding in previous years. This involvement suggests a potential interest in technologies that intersect with optical laser applications, although CapMan's broader investment strategy encompasses various industries beyond just optical laser manufacturing.
11. Scania Group
- Website: scania.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Sweden
- Founded year: 1891
- Headcount: 10001+
- Number of deals in 2024: 6
- LinkedIn: scania
Scania Group, founded in 1891, is a prominent vehicle and engine manufacturer based in Sweden, specializing in commercial vehicles such as heavy trucks and buses. The company also offers a range of services including repair, maintenance, and financial solutions to enhance operational efficiency in the transportation and logistics sectors. In addition to their core business, Scania Group has shown a strategic interest in technology investments, particularly in the optical laser manufacturing domain. Notably, they participated in the funding rounds for Scantinel Photonics, a startup focused on FMCW LiDAR technology, which is integral to optical laser applications. Scania Group's investment in Scantinel, which raised €10 million in an extended Series A funding round in November 2022, and an earlier Series A round in May 2021, highlights their commitment to supporting innovative technologies that leverage optical laser capabilities. This positions Scania Group as a relevant player in the optical laser manufacturing investment landscape.
12. Voima Ventures
- Website: voimaventures.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Founded year: 2019
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 11
- LinkedIn: voima-ventures
Voima Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2019. The firm specializes in funding early-stage science-based innovations and deep tech ventures, providing capital and expertise to help startups scale their solutions for global challenges. Voima Ventures operates primarily in the Nordic and Baltic regions and has been active in various sectors, including life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Notably, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like ElFys, which raised €3M to ramp up production of photodetectors, and ArgusEye, which is developing sensor systems that could have applications in biotherapeutic development. These transactions highlight Voima Ventures' engagement with technologies that intersect with optical laser manufacturing, particularly in the realm of photonics and sensor technology.
Optical Laser Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in the Nordics
| Investor | Headquarter | Size | Founded | Deals 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almi | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 201-500 | 1994 | 7 |
| EQT Group | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 1001-5000 | 1994 | 30 |
| Industrifonden | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 11-50 | 1979 | 9 |
| Investinor | Trondheim, Trøndelag, Norway | 11-50 | 2008 | 4 |
| Ericsson | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 10001+ | 1876 | 3 |
| Innovestor | Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland | 11-50 | 2014 | 12 |
| Lifeline Ventures | Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland | 1-10 | 2009 | 14 |
| Mycronic | Handen, Stockholms Län, Sweden | 1001-5000 | 1989 | 2 |
| SEB Kort | Solna, Stockholm, Sweden | 501-1000 | 1855 | 1 |
| CapMan | Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland | 51-200 | 1989 | 4 |
| Scania Group | Sweden | 10001+ | 1891 | 6 |
| Voima Ventures | Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland | 11-50 | 2019 | 11 |
Want to find more investors focusing on the optical laser manufacturing industry?
If you want to find more investors that are active in the optical laser manufacturingindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.With Inven, you'll also get to know:
- Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
- Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
- Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
- ...and much more!
%20(1).jpg)
Trusted by 700+ companies
