The live entertainment service industry in the Nordics is vibrant and evolving, driven by a blend of creativity and technology. Companies operate across various segments, including concerts, sports events, theater productions, and esports gatherings, appealing to a broad audience. Innovations in ticketing and immersive experiences, like virtual reality and augmented reality, are enhancing how audiences engage with live entertainment. As consumer preferences shift towards personalized experiences, the industry's future looks bright, with significant growth expected in esports and interactive shows, reflecting a commitment to adapting to changing trends in entertainment consumption.


This list features 19 prominent investors in the Nordic live entertainment service sector, including venture capitalists and private equity firms. Predominantly headquartered in Stockholm and Helsinki, these investors range from small teams to major players with extensive resources. Established between 1987 and 2022, they collectively made over 100 investments across the industry in 2024. Their focus spans technology-driven entertainment, esports, and family-friendly attractions, demonstrating a keen interest in fostering innovative experiences that engage audiences.


Top 19 Live Entertainment Service Investors in the Nordics


1. 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 private equity investment 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 made a significant strategic investment in United Talent Agency (UTA) in July 2022, becoming the largest outside shareholder and aiming to enhance UTA's investments in talent, innovation, and international expansion. This transaction highlights EQT's active role in the live entertainment service industry. Additionally, EQT has a history of investments in various sectors, including a notable transaction with Sportfive, a sports marketing agency, which further illustrates their engagement in areas related to live entertainment.


2. 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. The firm specializes 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 made significant investments in the live entertainment sector, particularly in esports. For instance, they invested in RFRSH Entertainment, which focuses on managing esports teams and developing live events, and in BLAST Premier, an esports entertainment startup. These transactions demonstrate Creandum's commitment to nurturing companies that contribute to the live entertainment landscape, particularly in the rapidly growing esports industry.


3. Mtg

  • Website: mtg.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1987
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: mtg

Modern Times Group (MTG) is a corporate investor based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1987. The company operates a diverse portfolio of gaming studios, focusing on developing and publishing mobile and browser games. MTG has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its position in the entertainment industry, particularly in the live entertainment sector. Notably, MTG acquired DreamHack, an eSports firm and event organizer, for SEK 244 million ($28 million) in 2015, which expanded its footprint in the eSports market. This acquisition complements its earlier investment in ESL - Turtle Entertainment, which was acquired for $86 million in 2015. These transactions highlight MTG's active role in the live entertainment service industry, particularly through the lens of eSports and gaming events.


4. FOV Ventures

  • Website: fov.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 2022
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: fov-ventures

FOV Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2022. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology startups, particularly those focused on the Metaverse and spatial computing. They provide capital, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry experts to help founders grow their businesses. In 2023, FOV Ventures participated in a significant funding round for Atopia Space, a startup dedicated to making culture accessible through immersive experiences, highlighting their interest in the live entertainment sector. Additionally, they have invested in RLTY and Virtex Stadium, both of which are involved in creating immersive environments and experiences, further demonstrating their relevance to the live entertainment industry.


5. Lifeline Ventures


Lifeline Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in startups, providing financial backing and advisory services to entrepreneurs across various sectors. Lifeline Ventures aims to support resilient founders from the inception of their ventures. Notably, they have participated in transactions such as RFRSH Entertainment, a Danish esports team agency that focuses on live events and media content, and VersusGame, which raised $25 million to enhance product development and engagement with creators and players, indicating a connection to the live entertainment industry. Additionally, their investments in companies like Everywear Games, which develops games for wearable technology, further showcase their interest in interactive entertainment, which can intersect with live experiences.


6. 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 involved in several notable transactions in the live entertainment service context, including investments in RFRSH Entertainment, a Danish esports team agency, and BLAST Premier, an esports entertainment startup. These investments highlight Heartcore's engagement in the live entertainment sector, particularly within the rapidly growing esports industry, where live events play a crucial role. In addition to these, Heartcore has also participated in funding rounds for companies like Podimo, which, while primarily focused on podcasts and audiobooks, contributes to the broader entertainment landscape.


7. 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 made significant investments in the live entertainment sector, including the acquisition of HopLop, a children's indoor play center chain, which highlights their commitment to family-oriented entertainment services. Additionally, their earlier investment in Kidburg, a venture focused on children's entertainment, further emphasizes their involvement in the live entertainment space. These transactions illustrate CapMan's strategy of diversifying its portfolio while also engaging in sectors that contribute to the live entertainment industry.


8. Altor Equity Partners

  • Website: altor.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: altor

Altor Equity Partners is a private equity investment management firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in providing consulting services across various sectors, including technology and consumer products, with a focus on enhancing operational efficiency and sustainable growth for its partners. Notably, Altor has made significant investments in the live entertainment context, such as acquiring a minority stake in O'Learys Holding AB, a leading sports-themed restaurant chain in Europe, which aligns with live entertainment through its engagement with sports events. Additionally, their investment in the Iyuno-SDI Group, which focuses on media localization, indicates a strategic interest in the entertainment industry, further showcasing their commitment to enhancing entertainment experiences. Altor's tailored investment strategies and digital transformation solutions position them as a versatile player in the investment landscape.


9. Telia


Telia Company AB is a telecommunications company based in Solna, Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1853. It operates in the Nordic and Baltic regions, providing a wide range of services including IoT connectivity, smart city solutions, and telephony services. Telia serves both businesses and public sector organizations, focusing on enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency. Notably, Telia has participated in funding rounds for companies in the live entertainment space, such as its investment in Solidsport, a Stockholm-based sport streaming events operator. In this transaction, Telia contributed to a funding round that raised SEK 23 million ($2.7 million), highlighting its engagement in the live entertainment sector, particularly in sports streaming.


10. Wellstreet

  • Website: wellstreet.se
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: wellstreet

Wellstreet is a venture capital firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in Nordic tech companies, providing entrepreneurs with capital and strategic support to foster growth and innovation. While Wellstreet primarily targets sectors such as FinTech, E-commerce, and GreenTech, they have also invested in the entertainment industry. Notably, they participated in funding Nuttery Entertainment, a gaming studio that aims to create new entertainment content, indicating their interest in the live entertainment space. Additionally, Wellstreet has invested in Pixotope, a company that may have applications in live events and entertainment through its technology, further showcasing their engagement in this sector.


11. Maki.vc

  • Website: maki.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: maki-vc

Maki.vc is a venture capital firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in seed-stage investments, primarily in deep tech and brand-driven companies, providing funding and support to early-stage startups. Maki.vc operates mainly in the Nordic region but has a global investment mandate. Notably, Maki.vc has participated in funding rounds for companies in the live entertainment space, such as Singa, which raised over $1.5 million in a venture round in November 2021, and BLAST Premier, a Danish esports entertainment startup that secured €12.5 million in financing in May 2020. These transactions highlight Maki.vc's engagement in the live entertainment sector, alongside their broader investment strategy.


12. Nokia

  • Website: nokia.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 1865
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: nokia

Nokia Corporation is a telecommunications and technology solutions provider based in Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 1865. The company specializes in networking technology and digital transformation, offering a wide range of products and services, including cloud infrastructure, mobile networks, and security solutions. In 2021, Nokia made a significant move into the live entertainment sector by acquiring the naming rights to the Tampere Deck Arena, now known as the Nokia Arena. This landmark partnership deal, which could last for 10 years, includes substantial investments in technology upgrades for the venue, highlighting Nokia's commitment to enhancing the live entertainment experience. Although Nokia has also been involved in other acquisitions, such as Medio Systems, which focuses on mobile predictive analytics, the transaction with the Tampere Deck Arena is particularly relevant to the live entertainment service context.


13. Skyfall Ventures

  • Website: skyfall.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: skyfall-ventures

Skyfall Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in early-stage technology investments, focusing on Nordic startups with strong software components. They provide capital and expertise to help these companies grow, particularly in sectors like artificial intelligence and blockchain. Notably, Skyfall Ventures has invested in Filmgrail, a Norwegian startup that manages a mobile app for movies and cinema tickets, securing NOK 9M ($1.1M) in funding to support the company's international growth ambitions. Additionally, they participated in a Pre-Seed round for Cavea, which raised $1.23 million. These transactions highlight their engagement in the live entertainment service context, particularly through technology that enhances the movie-going experience.


14. 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 founded in 1876, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. With over 10,000 employees, the company specializes in advanced connectivity solutions, including 5G networks and IoT platforms, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and user experiences across various industries. Notably, Ericsson has made strategic acquisitions to bolster its presence in the media sector, such as the acquisition of FYI Television in 2016, which is a media content company. This acquisition reflects Ericsson's intent to expand its capabilities in broadcast and media services, potentially linking them to live entertainment through media distribution and content delivery. Additionally, their earlier acquisition of Mobeon in 2008 further emphasizes their interest in media-related technologies, although the direct connection to live entertainment services remains indirect.


15. Vizrt

  • Website: vizrt.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Bergen, Vestland, Norway
  • Founded year: 1997
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn: vizrt

Vizrt is a corporate investor based in Bergen, Vestland, Norway, founded in 1997. The company specializes in media technology, providing advanced software solutions for content production, management, and distribution in the digital media industry. Their offerings are tailored for broadcasters, sports organizations, and educational institutions, enabling enhanced storytelling through real-time graphics and media asset management. Notably, Vizrt has made strategic acquisitions to bolster its capabilities in the live entertainment sector. In September 2022, they acquired Flowics, a cloud-native HTML5 broadcast graphics platform, aimed at enhancing their graphics portfolio and providing advanced content creation capabilities. Additionally, in March 2014, Vizrt acquired Mosart Medialab for NOK106.2 million (approximately $17.7 million), which focused on studio production automation, further expanding their market offerings in broadcast technology. These transactions highlight Vizrt's commitment to supporting live entertainment through innovative technology solutions.


16. 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 have participated in funding rounds for Singa, a Finnish startup that raised €1.75M in seed funding to expand its karaoke and singing services, making it a recognizable brand in the live entertainment space. This involvement highlights their engagement with the live entertainment industry, despite their broader focus on technology startups.


17. Kirkbi A/s

  • Website: kirkbi.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Billund, Denmark
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: kirkbi-a-s

Kirkbi A/S is a family-owned holding and investment company based in Billund, Denmark, founded in 1995. It manages the wealth of the Kristiansen family and oversees the LEGO brand, focusing on long-term investment strategies, brand management, and educational initiatives aimed at inspiring future generations through play. Kirkbi operates across various sectors, including investment management and brand development, and supports both the LEGO Group and associated foundations. A notable transaction in their portfolio is the acquisition of Merlin Entertainments, announced on June 28, 2019, where Kirkbi, in partnership with Blackstone and CPPIB, acquired the operator of Legoland and other attractions for £4.8 billion ($6.1 billion). This acquisition highlights Kirkbi's commitment to the live entertainment sector, particularly in family-friendly attractions that align with their brand ethos.


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, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investment management and advisory services, focusing on growing and internationalizing Finnish and Swedish companies. They provide capital and strategic support to businesses with revenues between €10-200 million, emphasizing responsible investing and building strong partnerships with business owners. Notably, Intera Partners acquired HopLop, a company that operates family entertainment centers, in October 2015. This acquisition highlights their interest in the live entertainment sector, showcasing their capability to invest in businesses that enhance the live entertainment experience for families and children.


19. Sondo

  • Website: sondo.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: sondo-capital

Sondo Capital is a venture capital firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2021. The firm specializes in investing in pre-seed and seed stage teams, primarily linked to Norway. Sondo aims to provide funding to early-stage startups to help them develop their business ideas and grow. Their active portfolio includes various innovative companies across different sectors. Notably, Sondo was the lead investor in Appear XR, a Norwegian startup that secured €880k in pre-seed funding. This investment is significant as Appear XR focuses on augmented reality, which has promising applications in the live entertainment industry, potentially enhancing audience experiences and engagement. This transaction highlights Sondo's interest in innovative technologies that intersect with live entertainment.



Live Entertainment Service Insights: Key Investors in the Nordics


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
CreandumStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden11-50200317
MtgStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden11-5019871
FOV VenturesHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland1-10202211
Lifeline VenturesHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland1-10200914
Heartcore CapitalCopenhagen, Denmark11-50200717
CapManHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland51-20019894
Altor Equity PartnersStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden51-20020036
TeliaSolna, Stockholm, Sweden10001+18530
WellstreetStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1-1020163
Maki.vcHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland1-10201811
NokiaEspoo, Uusimaa, Finland10001+18653
Skyfall VenturesOslo, Oslo, Norway1-1020167
EricssonStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden10001+18763
VizrtBergen, Vestland, Norway501-100019970
Superhero CapitalHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland1-1020157
Kirkbi A/sBillund, Denmark51-20019951
Intera PartnersHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland11-5020072
SondoOslo, Oslo, Norway1-1020217


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