The drinking water purification industry in the Nordics is a vital sector focused on providing safe and clean water. Companies range from innovative startups to established corporations, offering advanced filtration systems, eco-friendly solutions, and smart technologies. As environmental concerns rise, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, leading to increased investment in eco-conscious purification systems. Furthermore, the industry is experiencing growth owing to technological advancements, including nanotechnology and smart sensors, which enhance water quality monitoring. By capitalizing on innovative techniques, Nordic companies are well positioned to address global water issues and improve the efficiency of purification processes.


The investor landscape features a mix of venture capital firms, private equity groups, and corporate investors, primarily headquartered in Sweden and Norway. With a wide range of company sizes—from nimble startups to larger firms—these investors actively engaged in 2024, closing deals both in seed stages and growth capital. Founded between 1978 and 2017, they demonstrate considerable experience and commitment to the sector. Notably, firms like Almi and Katapult made multiple investments, showing strong support for innovative solutions addressing drinking water challenges in the region.


Top 15 Drinking Water Purification 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, aiming to enhance their growth and competitiveness through tailored financial solutions. Almi has been involved in several notable transactions within the drinking water purification context, including: 1) **Stockholm Water Technology** - Almi Invest participated in a funding round that raised 10 million Swedish crowns for market entry and product development, highlighting their support for innovative water solutions. 2) **Ecofiltration Nordic** - Almi invested in this company during its seed round, which focuses on water filtration technologies. 3) **Altered** - Almi backed this Stockholm-based manufacturer of a smart water nozzle, indicating their interest in innovative water-saving technologies. These transactions illustrate Almi's active role in the drinking water purification industry, making them a relevant investor in this sector.


2. Indutrade Life Science

  • Website: indutrade.se
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 14
  • LinkedIn: indutrade-life-science

Indutrade Life Science is a corporate investor based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1978. The company is part of an industrial group that focuses on developing and acquiring companies with high technical expertise across various technology and industrial sectors. Indutrade emphasizes long-term relationships with its customers and operates through a decentralized structure, allowing its subsidiaries to maintain independence while benefiting from the group's resources. Notably, Indutrade has made significant strides in the drinking water purification sector by acquiring acti-Chem A/S, a Danish company specializing in sustainable water treatment solutions, which aligns with their strategy of investing in companies that provide innovative industrial products. This acquisition, finalized on May 24, 2022, highlights Indutrade's commitment to enhancing its portfolio in the water treatment space. Additionally, their other acquisitions, while not directly related to drinking water purification, showcase their broader focus on industrial solutions, which may include relevant technologies and services.


3. 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 based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Founded in 1994, EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made significant investments in the drinking water purification sector, including the acquisition of Saur SAS, a leading player in water and wastewater management, for approximately $1.7 billion in December 2018. This acquisition highlights EQT's commitment to the water sector. Additionally, EQT's investment in Desotec, a company known for its filtration solutions, further emphasizes their focus on water purification technologies. These transactions demonstrate EQT's strategic interest in enhancing water quality and management solutions, positioning them as a relevant investor in the drinking water purification industry.


4. Katapult

  • Website: katapult.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: katapult-accelerator

Katapult is an impact investment firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2017. They specialize in supporting tech startups that tackle global challenges through investment, accelerator programs, and mentorship. Katapult has been involved in several relevant transactions in the drinking water purification sector, including their investment in Desolenator, which focuses on solar-powered water purification solutions, and Matter, which is developing microplastic filtration technology for commercial and industrial applications. Additionally, they have invested in other companies like Flocean and Ecospears, which are also related to water purification and environmental sustainability. Katapult's commitment to climate-tech and ocean-tech further aligns with their interest in improving water quality and access.


5. EEP Africa

  • Website: eepafrica.org
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: eepafrica

EEP Africa is a not-for-profit organization based in Helsinki, Finland, founded in 2010. It focuses on clean energy financing, providing early-stage grants and support for innovative clean energy projects in Southern and Eastern Africa. The organization aims to enhance energy access and investment, collaborating with various funding partners to facilitate sustainable development in the region. Notably, EEP Africa has been involved in several transactions relevant to drinking water purification, including OffGridBox, which raised $1.6 million in seed funding to provide affordable renewable energy and clean water solutions. Additionally, EEP Africa has supported Water Access Rwanda, which also focuses on improving access to clean water. These transactions highlight EEP Africa's role in promoting projects that integrate clean energy and water access, aligning with its mission of sustainable development.


6. Chalmers Ventures


Chalmers Ventures is a venture builder and tech investor based in Sweden, founded in 2015. They focus on deep tech innovations and support researchers and entrepreneurs in commercializing their technology through various programs that provide business guidance, financing, and community networking. In 2021, they participated in a seed investment round for Atium, a company dedicated to water treatment technology, which raised funds for product development and customer pilots. This involvement highlights their commitment to supporting innovations in the drinking water purification sector. In total, Chalmers Ventures has made multiple investments in Atium, indicating a strong interest in the water treatment industry.


7. Butterfly Ventures

  • Website: butterfly.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: butterfly-ventures

Butterfly Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in seed stage investments in deep tech startups, providing both capital and strategic support to help early-stage companies navigate growth challenges. Butterfly Ventures emphasizes social and environmental impact in its investment strategy. Among their notable transactions, they invested in 3AWater, a Finnish building technology company that raised EUR 100k to accelerate product development, which includes water purification technology. This investment highlights their commitment to supporting innovations that can improve drinking water quality. Additionally, they have participated in financing rounds for other companies, such as Retein and Naava, although these are less directly related to drinking water purification.


8. Alder

  • Website: alder.se
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2008
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: alderfund

Alder is a private equity investment fund based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2008. The firm specializes in providing growth and buyout capital to established companies with a turnover between SEK 100-750 million, particularly in the sustainable technology sector. Alder has made several notable acquisitions, including Nordic Water Products in 2012, which focuses on water treatment solutions, and Centriair, which, while not directly related to drinking water, operates in the environmental technology space. They also acquired Dinair AB in 2011 and Scanacon AB in 2018, both of which are involved in sustainable technologies. Alder aims to leverage its industrial and financial expertise to support the long-term development of its portfolio companies, particularly those that contribute to sustainable practices in water purification and treatment.


9. Addtech AB

  • Website: addtech.se
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1906
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: addtech-ab

Addtech AB is a technology solutions provider based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in high-tech products and services across various sectors, including automation, electrification, energy, industrial solutions, and process technology. Founded in 1906, the company serves OEM manufacturers and end-users, enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability through innovative solutions. In 2023, Addtech Process Technology announced the acquisition of 80% of Kemic Vandrens A/S, a prominent supplier of water purification solutions in Denmark, with a turnover of approximately DKK 60 million. This acquisition is expected to positively impact Addtech's earnings per share, highlighting their commitment to expanding their footprint in the water purification sector. Other acquisitions by Addtech, while relevant to their overall business strategy, do not specifically pertain to drinking water purification.


10. Bluewater Group


Bluewater Group, founded in 2012 and based in Stockholm, Sweden, is a corporate investor and a leading company in the water purification sector. They specialize in innovative solutions for clean, mineralized water, offering a range of products including water purifiers and hydration stations for both residential and commercial use. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their efforts to reduce single-use plastics and provide high-quality hydration solutions. Notably, Bluewater has made strategic investments in companies like FloWater, which raised $15 million in a Series B funding round led by Bluewater, and TAPP Water, a prominent consumer water filter brand in Spain. Bluewater's acquisition of TAPP Water in September 2023 and their earlier investment of EUR 1.8 million in a Series A funding round for TAPP Water in 2019 highlight their active role in enhancing their consumer sales model and expanding their influence in the global water industry.


11. 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. With a strong presence in the Nordic markets, CapMan leverages its expertise to manage funds and drive value creation for its clients. Notably, CapMan has made significant investments in various sectors, including a key acquisition of KotiSun Group in 2017, a Finnish company focused on the renovation of service water, heating, and drainage systems. This investment highlights CapMan's involvement in the drinking water purification industry, as KotiSun's operations directly relate to improving water systems. Other transactions, such as investments in Vital Development Corp., Lumex Instruments, and Savcor, while not directly linked to drinking water purification, showcase CapMan's broad investment strategy across different sectors.


12. Sdiptech

  • Website: sdiptech.se
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Headcount: 1001-5000

Sdiptech AB is an infrastructure technology group based in Stockholm, Sweden, that specializes in providing technology, solutions, and services aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure systems. Founded with a vision to enhance societal growth, Sdiptech focuses on acquiring and developing technology companies that address critical renovation and expansion needs in aging systems. Notably, Sdiptech has made strategic acquisitions in the water treatment sector, including Kemi-tech ApS, a Danish provider of tailored chemical solutions for industrial water treatment, acquired on July 11, 2023. This acquisition aligns with their commitment to sustainable technologies. Additionally, they acquired Water Treatment Products Limited for a total valuation of GBP 15.9 million on February 18, 2019, further solidifying their presence in the water treatment industry. These transactions highlight Sdiptech's active role in the drinking water purification market, making them a significant investor in this field.


13. 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. Among its notable transactions, Investinor invested in Sorbwater Technology, a company focused on water purification solutions, which highlights its involvement in the drinking water purification sector. Other investments include Xsens, Pinovo, and Nordic Halibut, although these are not directly related to water purification. Overall, Investinor's commitment to supporting innovative companies positions it as a relevant player in the drinking water purification industry.


14. Lagercrantz Group AB

  • Website: lagercrantz.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: lagercrantz

Lagercrantz Group AB is a technology group based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2001. The company operates approximately 80 subsidiaries that provide specialized technical solutions across various niche markets, including Electrify, Control, and TecSec. Their business model focuses on acquisitions and organic growth, primarily catering to business customers seeking tailored technology solutions. Notably, in 2021, Lagercrantz Group acquired Proagria Miljø A/S, a Danish company specializing in water flow control, which enhances their presence in the aquaculture segment and indicates a commitment to water management solutions. This acquisition is expected to positively impact the Group's earnings and aligns with their strategy of expanding into sectors that contribute to environmental sustainability. Additionally, Lagercrantz has made other acquisitions, such as Wapro and Westmatic, which, while not directly related to drinking water purification, demonstrate their active investment strategy in technology-driven solutions.


15. Summa Equity

  • Website: summaequity.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: summa-equity

Summa Equity is a private equity firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in thematic investments that tackle global challenges, with a strong emphasis on sustainable investment solutions across various sectors, including resource efficiency and technology. Their client base includes institutional investors and companies seeking capital for growth, highlighting their commitment to aligning financial returns with positive societal impact. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Lakers Holding, a company specializing in pumps, which could have applications in water purification systems. Additionally, their acquisition of Sortera and investment in Nofitech further demonstrate their engagement in sectors that may intersect with water management and sustainability.



Drinking Water Purification Insights: Key Investors in the Nordics


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
Indutrade Life ScienceStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000197814
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
KatapultOslo, Oslo, Norway11-5020178
EEP AfricaHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland11-5020100
Chalmers VenturesSweden11-50201526
Butterfly VenturesHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland1-1020125
AlderStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden11-5020081
Addtech ABStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-500019069
Bluewater GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden51-20020120
CapManHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland51-20019894
SdiptechStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-50000
InvestinorTrondheim, Trøndelag, Norway11-5020084
Lagercrantz Group ABStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-500020016
Summa EquityStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden51-20020166


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