The wireless communication equipment industry in Benelux encompasses companies that design, manufacture, and provide technology solutions for mobile and internet networks. This sector includes telecommunication giants, innovative startups, and specialized manufacturers focused on antennas, chipsets, and software solutions. With rising demand for 5G technology and the expansion of IoT applications, the industry is rapidly evolving. Notable developments, such as the integration of AI and improved security measures, reflect the industry's focus on enhancing connectivity. As wireless communication becomes more critical to both consumers and businesses, sustainable growth in this sector appears imminent.


Investors in this article represent a mix of venture capital firms, private equity investors, and corporate entitie,s each impacting the wireless communication equipment industry. Headquartered mainly in Luxembourg and the Netherlands, these firms range in size from small teams to large firms with thousands of employees. Established predominantly since the late 20th century, their investments in 2024 spanned multiple new deals, highlighting their crucial support for the industry's advancement. Companies like CVC and the European Investment Bank stand out for their significant activity and strategic approaches in this competitive landscape.


Top 17 Wireless Communication Equipment Investors in Benelux


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in funding companies like Oledcomm, which raised $2,998,774 through a grant and an undisclosed amount in a venture round, and Tessares, which also received funding through grants and venture rounds. These transactions highlight the EIC's commitment to supporting innovative technologies, including those in the wireless communication equipment sector.


2. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, established in 1958, that provides financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services to support sustainable projects across various sectors. The EIB's clientele includes both public and private organizations seeking funding for initiatives that promote growth and job creation. Notably, the EIB has been involved in significant transactions within the wireless communication equipment sector, such as a $455.2 million funding deal with Ericsson in December 2023 and a $584 million debt raise for Nokia in August 2018. Additionally, the EIB signed a €315 million agreement with Cellnex Telecom in July 2023 to finance the expansion of 5G infrastructure across Europe. These transactions highlight the EIB's commitment to supporting advancements in wireless communication technology.


3. SES Satellites

  • Website: ses.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Betzdorf, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: ses

SES S.A. is a satellite telecommunications provider based in Betzdorf, Luxembourg, founded in 1985. The company offers a range of services including video broadcast and data connectivity solutions, serving various sectors such as broadcasting, government, and maritime. SES operates a fleet of over 70 satellites in geostationary and medium Earth orbits, ensuring global coverage for its customers. In recent years, SES has been actively involved in significant transactions that enhance its position in the wireless communication equipment industry. Notably, SES announced its acquisition of U.S.-based Intelsat for $3.1 billion, which is expected to close in 2025, creating the world's largest satellite services provider. Additionally, SES participated in a Series A funding round for ALCAN Systems, a German smart antenna start-up, which aims to bring next-generation low-cost, ultra-thin flat smart antennas to market. These strategic moves highlight SES's commitment to advancing wireless communication technologies and expanding its capabilities in the sector.


4. M Ventures

  • Website: m-ventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 18
  • LinkedIn: merck-ventures

M Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in investing in transformative ideas within the biotechnology and technology sectors, focusing on startups in healthcare, life sciences, and advanced technology. M Ventures provides funding and strategic guidance to help these startups achieve commercial success. Among their notable transactions, they invested in ALCAN Systems, a German smart antenna start-up that raised EUR 7.5 million in Series A funding to develop low-cost, ultra-thin flat smart antennas, which are crucial for wireless communication. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for other technology companies, indicating a broader interest in advanced technology solutions that may intersect with wireless communication equipment.


5. Gimv

  • Website: gimv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: gimv

Gimv is a venture capital investment firm based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1980. The firm partners with innovative companies across various sectors, including Consumer, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Smart Industries, and Sustainable Cities. Gimv provides investment management and strategic support to help businesses grow sustainably. Notably, Gimv has been involved in several transactions relevant to the wireless communication equipment industry, such as the acquisition of Onedirect Comunicaciones in 2010 for approximately $19.3 million, which indicates their commitment to this sector. Additionally, they have invested in CoreOptics through multiple funding rounds, raising significant capital for the company, which specializes in optical networking technology. These transactions highlight Gimv's active role in the wireless communication equipment market, alongside their broader investment strategy.


6. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent investment firm specializing in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. Founded in 2005 and based in Luxembourg, CVC focuses on delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments. Among their notable transactions in the wireless communication sector, CVC acquired Wireless Logic, a leading M2M managed services platform, which has experienced significant growth under their investment. Additionally, they acquired Sunrise Communications, a major telecommunications provider in Switzerland, further emphasizing their commitment to the wireless communication equipment industry. CVC's diverse portfolio and strategic focus on technology and telecommunications make them a relevant player in the wireless communication space.


7. Cipio Partners

  • Website: cipiopartners.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: cipio-partners

Cipio Partners is a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2003, specializing in European growth capital and minority buyouts for technology companies. With a team size of 11-50, they provide financial support and strategic guidance to help businesses scale and prepare for liquidity events. Their investment strategy focuses on technology firms with proven business models and significant revenue, primarily in the software and B2B sectors. Notably, Cipio Partners has been involved in several funding rounds for BridgeWave Communications, a supplier of 4G millimeter wave backhaul solutions, which is critical for the infrastructure of mobile networks. Their investments in BridgeWave, including a $10.3 million financing round in 2012 and earlier rounds totaling over $29 million, highlight their engagement in the wireless communication equipment space, reinforcing their relevance in this sector.


8. Kpn

  • Website: kpn.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: kpn

KPN is a leading telecommunications provider based in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 1989. With over 10,000 employees, KPN offers a wide range of services, including fixed and mobile telephony, internet, and television, catering to both consumers and businesses. The company is recognized for its reliable network and comprehensive service offerings. KPN has made significant investments in the wireless communication sector, including the acquisition of Telfort, which added 2.4 million subscribers to its mobile network and increased its market share in the Dutch wireless market to over 40%. Additionally, KPN participated in a funding round for Actility, a company focused on IoT network solutions, showcasing its commitment to advancing wireless communication technologies. Other acquisitions, such as iBasis and Yes Telecom, further demonstrate KPN's strategic focus on enhancing its wireless service offerings.


9. imec.xpand

  • Website: imecxpand.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: imec.xpand

imec.xpand is a venture capital fund based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2017. The fund specializes in providing investment and operational support to early-stage deep tech companies, particularly in the semiconductor and nanotechnology sectors. imec.xpand leverages imec's expertise and infrastructure to help startups navigate their development and market challenges. Among their notable transactions, imec.xpand participated in the funding rounds of Pharrowtech, a company focused on 5G unlicensed fixed wireless access, where they contributed to both Seed and Series A funding rounds. They also invested in Nubis Communications, which raised $40 million in 2023, further indicating their involvement in the wireless communication sector. Additionally, imec.xpand was part of the funding rounds for Celestial AI, a company developing photonic technology, which, while not exclusively wireless communication, has applications in high-speed data transfer and communication technologies.


10. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)


De Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) is a development agency based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 1983. BOM supports startups and scale-ups in the Brabant region by offering various programs aimed at enhancing business growth, including readiness programs for venture capital and innovation in sustainable food and energy sectors. In addition to these sectors, BOM has made significant investments in the wireless communication equipment space. Notably, they have invested in EFFECT Photonics, which focuses on photonic technologies essential for wireless communication, and Antennex, which specializes in antenna solutions. In 2024, Antennex raised $1,622,990 in a Seed Round, showcasing BOM's active role in funding innovative companies within the wireless communication sector. Overall, BOM collaborates with businesses to provide funding, expertise, and networking opportunities, facilitating their success in competitive markets, including wireless communication.


11. Innovation Industries


Innovation Industries is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in deep tech investments, providing capital and support to startups in various sectors, including industrial tech, med tech, and food & agri tech. In 2024, they have already made 10 investments. Among their notable transactions, they led a €15 million Series A funding round for Pharrowtech, which is developing 60 GHz CMOS RFICs for 5G unlicensed fixed wireless access. This investment is aimed at accelerating the deployment of their technology in the wireless communication sector. Additionally, they have been involved in multiple funding rounds for EFFECT Photonics, which focuses on developing single-chip coherent optics, a technology that plays a crucial role in modern communication systems. These transactions highlight Innovation Industries' commitment to supporting innovations in wireless communication equipment.


12. KPN Ventures

  • Website: kpnventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: kpn-ventures

KPN Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2015. The firm focuses on investing in innovative technology companies across various sectors, including Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, and Digital Healthcare. However, KPN Ventures has also made notable investments in the wireless communication equipment sector. They participated in a $75 million Series D funding round for Actility, a leading provider of network solutions for the IoT market, and were involved in a $61.2 million Series D funding round for Jasper Technologies, which specializes in IoT connectivity. More recently, KPN Ventures participated in a $22 million funding round for Wirepas, a company that provides wireless connectivity solutions. Through these investments, KPN Ventures not only provides capital but also expertise and networking opportunities to help early-stage companies grow in the wireless communication space.


13. InnoEnergy

  • Website: innoenergy.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 52
  • LinkedIn: innoenergy

EIT InnoEnergy is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2010, based in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands, dedicated to accelerating sustainable energy innovations. It serves as a marketplace for energy solutions, offering training programs and support for innovators and corporates in the energy sector. InnoEnergy collaborates with various stakeholders to tackle challenges related to energy transition and sustainability. Notably, InnoEnergy has participated in several transactions that touch on wireless technology, such as Energysquare, which raised €3M to develop a new standard in wireless charging. This investment highlights InnoEnergy's interest in technologies that enhance energy efficiency and sustainability through wireless solutions. Additionally, their involvement in Energiot, which focuses on the digitalization of the electricity grid, suggests a broader interest in integrating technology with energy systems, although it is not strictly within the wireless communication equipment domain.


14. Mutares Benelux

  • Website: mutares.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: mutares-benelux

Mutares Benelux is a private equity firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2021. It specializes in acquiring and managing companies in transition, providing operational support and consulting services to enhance profitability and growth across various sectors, including automotive, technology, and retail. Notably, Mutares has made significant strides in the wireless communication equipment industry through its acquisition of Alan Dick Communications Limited, a UK-based provider of critical communications and security systems, which generated revenues of approximately EUR 15 million. Additionally, Mutares has acquired ADComms, another provider of critical communications and security systems, further solidifying its presence in this sector. These transactions highlight Mutares' commitment to investing in companies that play a crucial role in the wireless communication landscape.


15. Invest-NL

  • Website: invest-nl.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: invest-nl

Invest-NL is an impact investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. The firm focuses on financing sustainable and innovative projects, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. They support entrepreneurs with promising plans for societal transitions by mobilizing capital from various sources. Notably, Invest-NL has been involved in several transactions relevant to the wireless communication equipment industry. For instance, they participated in multiple funding rounds for EFFECT Photonics, which raised significant amounts in Series C and Series D funding to develop advanced optical technologies essential for wireless communication. Additionally, they were part of the investment group for Onera Health, which, while primarily focused on health technology, showcases Invest-NL's commitment to innovative tech solutions. Their diverse portfolio indicates a strong interest in technology that can impact various sectors, including wireless communication.


16. TKH Group

  • Website: tkhgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Haaksbergen, Overijssel, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1930
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: tkh-group-n.v.

TKH Group is a technology company based in Haaksbergen, Overijssel, Netherlands, specializing in innovative solutions for automation, digitalization, and electrification. Founded in 1930, the company operates globally, providing smart vision, manufacturing, and connectivity systems to enhance efficiency and sustainability across various sectors. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Commend International in 2015, a leading technology company in mission-critical intercom systems, which underscores their involvement in the communication technology sector. Additionally, their recent acquisition of JCAI Inc in 2024, which specializes in guidance software for airports, further demonstrates their commitment to integrating advanced technologies that may include wireless communication solutions. Overall, TKH Group's strategic investments reflect their active role in the wireless communication equipment industry.


17. PhotonDelta

  • Website: photondelta.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: photondelta

PhotonDelta is a corporate investor based in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 2018. The company specializes in integrated photonics, focusing on the research, development, and manufacturing of photonic integrated circuits (PICs). PhotonDelta offers investment opportunities in this sector, catering to various industries, including telecommunications, healthcare, and agriculture. Notably, PhotonDelta has been involved in significant transactions relevant to the wireless communication equipment sector. For instance, they co-led a $37 million Series C funding round for EFFECT Photonics, which is developing single-chip coherent optics, a technology crucial for modern telecommunications. Additionally, they have supported SMART Photonics, a Dutch foundry for photonic integrated circuits, through multiple funding rounds, including a loan agreement aimed at scaling production. Their investments also include participation in a funding round for LioniX International, further emphasizing their commitment to enhancing the integrated photonics ecosystem, which is vital for wireless communication technologies.



Wireless Communication Equipment Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
SES SatellitesBetzdorf, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg1001-500019852
M VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200918
GimvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20019808
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
Cipio PartnersLuxembourg11-5020032
KpnRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands10001+19892
imec.xpandLeuven, Flanders, Belgium1-1020175
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands51-200198310
Innovation IndustriesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201710
KPN VenturesRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands1-1020153
InnoEnergyEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands201-500201052
Mutares BeneluxAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202116
Invest-NLAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202017
TKH GroupHaaksbergen, Overijssel, Netherlands5001-1000019301
PhotonDeltaEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands11-5020181


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