Top 18 Executive Search Firms Investors in the Nordics
Top 18 Executive Search Firms Investors in the Nordics
The executive search firms industry in the Nordics focuses on connecting businesses with top-tier talent. Companies operating in this space specialize in sourcing candidates for senior and specialized roles, employing methodologies to understand client needs and market trends. Many firms utilize advanced technology and data analytics to streamline the hiring process, making it more efficient and effective. As demands for skilled talent continue to rise, firms are ramping up investments in talent acquisition and management solutions, positioning themselves as key players in shaping the future workforce. The sector is embracing innovations to enhance recruitment and foster employer-employee relationships.
This list features 18 strategic investors in European executive search firms, primarily from the affluent Nordic region. Spanning private equity, venture capital, and corporate entities, these investors vary in size, with many supporting firms founded between 1916 and 2018. Their 2024 deal counts reflect their active participation in enhancing talent acquisition capabilities and nurturing innovation within the sector, signaling a strong focus on the HR tech landscape. Investing in companies like EQT Group and Creandum, they play a vital role in shaping industry trends and ensuring that firms can thrive in a competitive hiring environment.
Top 18 Executive Search Firms Investors in the Nordics
1. Talent Venture Group
- Website: talentventuregroup.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 2018
- Headcount: 11-50
- LinkedIn: talent-venture-group
Talent Venture Group is a venture capital firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in HR and Talent Tech, focusing on early-stage startups that aim to improve the hiring process and enhance employer-employee relationships. Notable transactions include investments in Agentum, which raised funds to support its growth in the HR sector, and Future Talent Council, which also aligns with the goals of improving talent acquisition. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to fostering innovation in the HR space, making them a relevant player in the executive search firms context.
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 private equity firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. The firm specializes in a diverse range of investment strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing varied investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made strategic investments in companies relevant to the executive search and talent management industry, such as United Talent Agency (UTA), where they became the largest outside shareholder to support UTA's growth in talent and innovation. Additionally, EQT's acquisition of PRO Unlimited, a leader in contingent workforce management, highlights their commitment to sectors that intersect with executive search and talent acquisition, further solidifying their relevance in this space.
3. Seed Capital Denmark
- Website: seedcapital.dk
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Founded year: 2004
- Headcount: 1-10
- Number of deals in 2024: 5
- LinkedIn: seed-capital-denmark
Seed Capital Denmark is a venture capital firm based in Copenhagen, specializing in providing seed funding and advisory services to technology startups in Denmark. Founded in 2004, the firm has a strong focus on sectors such as SaaS and Fintech, helping founders navigate their growth journey and secure further funding. Notably, Seed Capital has been involved in several transactions that highlight their investment strategy. In 2022, they led a funding round for TalentHub, a Danish tech startup that raised $5 million to accelerate its global expansion in the recruitment sector. This investment aligns with the interests of executive search firms, as TalentHub operates in the talent acquisition space. Additionally, they have made investments in other startups like Develop Diverse and Qvest, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative companies. With a track record of successful investments, Seed Capital supports its portfolio companies from seed stage to exit.
4. VNV Global AB
- Website: vnv.global
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 1996
- Headcount: 1-10
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: vostok-new-ventures-ltd
VNV Global AB is a Stockholm-based venture capital firm founded in 1996, focusing on providing capital and expertise to innovative companies across various sectors, including Mobility and Digital Health. They aim to support mission-driven entrepreneurs in developing scalable and sustainable business models, emphasizing long-term profitability and strong market positions. Notably, VNV Global has invested in Alva Labs, a digital hiring tool that raised €11.7M in Series A funding to expand internationally and enhance product development. Additionally, they have been involved in funding WUZZUF and BasharSoft, both of which are recruitment platforms in Egypt that raised significant capital to enhance their operations and leverage technology in connecting job seekers with employers. These transactions highlight VNV Global's engagement in the recruitment and hiring technology space, making them a relevant investor in the executive search firms industry.
5. Verdane
- Website: verdane.com
- Type: Private Equity
- Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Founded year: 1985
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 7
- LinkedIn: verdane-capital
Verdane is a private equity investment firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 1985. The firm specializes in growth equity investments in technology-enabled companies, providing capital and hands-on support to help businesses scale. Verdane focuses on digitalization and decarbonization trends, primarily targeting technology companies that seek to enhance their market position and operational efficiency. Notably, Verdane has invested in several companies relevant to the executive search industry, including PerformIQ, which they acquired in 2014, and Jobylon and Webcruiter, which raised funds in 2023 and 2018, respectively. These investments highlight Verdane's engagement in the recruitment and talent acquisition sector, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative solutions in this space.
6. Visma
- Website: visma.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Founded year: 1996
- Headcount: 10001+
- Number of deals in 2024: 16
- LinkedIn: visma
Visma is a corporate investor based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 1996. It specializes in providing cloud-based accounting, payroll, invoicing, and HR solutions, primarily serving small and medium businesses as well as public sector organizations. Visma has a strong presence in Europe and Latin America, operating through a network of entrepreneurial companies that contribute to its innovative software offerings. Notably, Visma has made several acquisitions that enhance its capabilities in the HR and recruitment sectors. For example, the acquisition of EasyCruit in 2016 aimed to bolster its recruitment cloud solutions, while the acquisition of Mandü in 2022 focused on employee engagement and performance management. These transactions demonstrate Visma's strategic interest in expanding its HR product offerings, which are relevant to the executive search firms industry.
7. Creandum
- Website: creandum.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 2003
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 17
- LinkedIn: creandum
Creandum is a venture capital firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2003. They specialize in supporting early-stage entrepreneurs in building global, category-defining companies across various sectors, including fintech and health tech. Creandum provides venture capital investment, strategic support, and networking opportunities to startups. Notably, they have invested in Factorial, a Barcelona-based HR software company, which raised significant funding rounds (Series A, B, and C) with Creandum's participation. Factorial's focus on HR solutions aligns with the executive search industry, showcasing Creandum's engagement in sectors that intersect with executive search and recruitment. Their business model emphasizes nurturing companies from seed to IPO, leveraging their expertise and connections to help entrepreneurs succeed.
8. EQT Ventures
- Website: eqtventures.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 2015
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 28
- LinkedIn: eqt-ventures
EQT Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage tech startups, providing not only financial support but also operational assistance to entrepreneurs. With a focus on technology, EQT Ventures connects startups with a global network of industry experts and resources to foster growth and innovation. Notably, EQT Ventures has invested in companies relevant to the executive search industry, such as Beamery, a talent operating system that raised significant funding rounds with their participation. Additionally, they invested in Knoetic, which raised $36M in Series B funding, indicating their commitment to the HR technology sector. These transactions highlight EQT Ventures' strategic interest in companies that enhance talent acquisition and management, aligning them with the executive search firms industry.
9. Superhero Capital
- Website: superherocapital.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Founded year: 2015
- Headcount: 1-10
- Number of deals in 2024: 7
- LinkedIn: superhero-capital
Superhero Capital is a venture capital firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in seed funding for software-driven startups in the New Nordics region, providing financial backing and strategic support to entrepreneurs. Superhero Capital aims to empower founders and foster innovation in the technology sector. Notably, they participated in a funding round for Relancer, a recruiter marketplace that connects businesses with part-time professional recruiters, highlighting their engagement in the recruitment space. Additionally, they have been involved in other transactions, such as Creagent and Epicbrief, but Relancer stands out as particularly relevant to the executive search industry.
10. Bts
- Website: bts.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 1986
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: bts
Bts is a corporate consulting firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1986. The firm specializes in strategy execution, leadership development, and talent management, providing tailored solutions to enhance business performance. Bts has been active in acquiring companies that complement its service offerings, such as the acquisition of Sounding Board, Inc. in 2025, which likely enhances their leadership development capabilities. In 2016, they acquired The Synergy Group Pty Ltd, a provider of sales transformation solutions, further expanding their market presence. Their acquisition of The Advantage Performance Group in 2006 for approximately USD 22.9 million also reflects their commitment to enhancing their leadership and performance management services. More recently, in 2021, Bts acquired Netmind SL to bolster their agile and digital transformation solutions, indicating a strategic approach to integrating modern methodologies into their consulting services. These transactions highlight Bts's focus on leadership and talent management, making them a relevant player in the executive search firms sector.
11. Investor AB
- Website: investorab.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 1916
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 4
- LinkedIn: investor-ab
Investor AB is an investment holding company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1916. It manages a diverse portfolio of high-quality global companies, focusing on long-term investments and providing strategic support to its portfolio companies. While its primary sectors include pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and industrials, Investor AB has also participated in significant transactions in the human capital management space. Notably, it was involved in funding rounds for CDP Group, a human capital management services provider in Greater China and Asia, contributing to both Series B and Series C funding rounds. This involvement highlights Investor AB's interest in enhancing management teams and operational capacities, which aligns with the objectives of executive search firms.
12. 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 acquired StaffPoint in 2002, a company that operates in the staffing and recruitment sector, highlighting its involvement in the human resources industry. This acquisition demonstrates CapMan's capability to invest in firms that align with executive search and recruitment services. Other transactions, such as investments in Voxys and The North Alliance, while not directly related to executive search, showcase CapMan's broader investment strategy and experience in managing diverse portfolios.
13. Kinnevik
- Website: kinnevik.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 1936
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 10
- LinkedIn: investment-ab-kinnevik
Kinnevik is an investment company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1936. They partner with innovative entrepreneurs across various sectors, including healthcare, software, marketplaces, and climate tech, providing both capital and operational support to help these companies scale and create long-term value. Notably, Kinnevik has been involved in significant transactions such as Job&Talent, a workforce marketplace that raised $500 million in a Series E funding round, indicating their interest in companies that enhance recruitment and workforce solutions. Additionally, their investment in Omnipresent, which focuses on global employment solutions, further demonstrates their engagement in sectors that intersect with talent acquisition and management.
14. Heartcore Capital
- Website: heartcore.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Founded year: 2007
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 17
- LinkedIn: heartcorecapital
Heartcore Capital is a venture capital firm based in Copenhagen, Denmark, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies and emphasizes building long-term relationships with entrepreneurs. Heartcore has been actively involved in the recruitment and talent acquisition sector, notably through its investments in HeyJobs, a Berlin-based career platform that utilizes machine learning to enhance the recruitment process. Heartcore participated in multiple funding rounds for HeyJobs, including a $12 million Series A round in 2019 and a $47 million Series B round in 2022. These investments highlight Heartcore's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the talent acquisition space, making them a relevant player in the executive search firms industry.
15. Inventure
- Website: inventure.vc
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Founded year: 2005
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 9
- LinkedIn: inventure
Inventure is a venture capital firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in backing ambitious Nordic and Baltic founders, providing venture capital investment and portfolio management services to early-stage tech startups. Inventure has been actively involved in various transactions, including a notable investment in Jobbatical, a London-based cross-border recruitment platform that raised €11.6 million in a Series A funding round led by Inventure in September 2022. This investment highlights Inventure's engagement in the recruitment sector, which aligns with the interests of executive search firms. Other investments include Valuebeat and FRWD Technologies, showcasing their diverse portfolio in the tech industry.
16. Alliance VC
- Website: alliance.vc
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Founded year: 2001
- Headcount: 1-10
- Number of deals in 2024: 5
- LinkedIn: alliance-venture
Alliance Venture Capital is a venture capital firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies founded by Nordic entrepreneurs with global ambitions. Alliance VC provides not only financial support but also strategic guidance to help startups scale their operations and navigate funding challenges. Among their notable transactions, they led a $4.8 million seed funding round for Globus.ai, a Scandinavian AI staffing company, which aims to enhance its market presence and expand into the U.S. Additionally, they invested in Equality Check, an employer review platform, and Deckmatch, which focuses on AI and machine learning capabilities. These investments highlight their engagement in sectors related to staffing and recruitment, making them a relevant player in the executive search firms industry.
17. Alma Media
- Website: almamedia.fi
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Founded year: 2010
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: alma-media-corporation
Alma Media is a media company based in Helsinki, Finland, that provides a variety of digital services and publications, including news and lifestyle content. Founded in 2010, the company operates across multiple sectors, including real estate and automotive, and engages with its audience through events and digital media. Notably, Alma Media has made strategic acquisitions that highlight its interest in the recruitment sector. In June 2023, they acquired a 70% stake in Vrabotuvanje Online, North Macedonia's leading online recruitment service, which will enhance their capabilities in talent acquisition. Additionally, their acquisition of Talentum Corporation in 2015 further indicates their engagement in areas related to recruitment and professional services. These transactions demonstrate Alma Media's commitment to expanding its influence in the recruitment and executive search landscape.
18. Intera Partners
- Website: interapartners.fi
- Type: Private Equity
- Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Founded year: 2007
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 2
- LinkedIn: intera-partners
Intera Partners is a private equity firm based in Helsinki, Finland, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investment management and advisory services, focusing on growing and internationalizing Finnish and Swedish companies with revenues between €10-200 million. Intera Partners emphasizes responsible investing and building strong partnerships with business owners. Notable transactions include investments in Midagon and Rantalainen, both of which are in the professional services sector, and a significant investment in Allocate, which raised $15.3 million in a Series A funding round. Allocate's focus on workforce management solutions suggests a connection to the executive search industry, highlighting Intera Partners' interest in sectors that may overlap with executive search services.
Executive Search Firms Insights: Key Investors in the Nordics
| Investor | Headquarter | Size | Founded | Deals 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talent Venture Group | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 11-50 | 2018 | 0 |
| EQT Group | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 1001-5000 | 1994 | 30 |
| Seed Capital Denmark | Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark | 1-10 | 2004 | 5 |
| VNV Global AB | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 1-10 | 1996 | 1 |
| Verdane | Oslo, Oslo, Norway | 51-200 | 1985 | 7 |
| Visma | Oslo, Oslo, Norway | 10001+ | 1996 | 16 |
| Creandum | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 11-50 | 2003 | 17 |
| EQT Ventures | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 11-50 | 2015 | 28 |
| Superhero Capital | Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland | 1-10 | 2015 | 7 |
| Bts | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 1001-5000 | 1986 | 1 |
| Investor AB | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 51-200 | 1916 | 4 |
| CapMan | Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland | 51-200 | 1989 | 4 |
| Kinnevik | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 11-50 | 1936 | 10 |
| Heartcore Capital | Copenhagen, Denmark | 11-50 | 2007 | 17 |
| Inventure | Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland | 11-50 | 2005 | 9 |
| Alliance VC | Oslo, Oslo, Norway | 1-10 | 2001 | 5 |
| Alma Media | Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland | 1001-5000 | 2010 | 1 |
| Intera Partners | Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland | 11-50 | 2007 | 2 |
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