The knitted fabric mills industry in the Nordics plays a crucial role in producing textiles that are not just functional but also fashionable. Companies within this sector focus on innovation, utilizing advanced machinery and sustainable practices to meet growing consumer demands. Many brands are embracing eco-friendly materials, leading to increased investments in technologies, such as fiber regeneration and sustainable dyeing processes. This industry is rapidly evolving towards sustainability, with an emphasis on collaborations and startups that combine tradition with modernization, ensuring competitiveness in the global market.


The group of top investors in the knitted fabric mills sector comprises a mix of venture capital, private equity, and corporate firms. Based mainly in Sweden and Finland, these investors, founded between 1990 and 2015, vary greatly in size, from 1-10 employees at Valve Ventures to over 10,000 at Bestseller. In 2024, they executed 48 notable deals in total, highlighting their active involvement in the textile industry and a commitment to innovative fabric technologies.


Top 7 Knitted Fabric Mills 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. Notably, Almi has been involved in several transactions within the textile sector, including investments in re:newcell, which raised $5 million in a venture round, and HealthTextiles, which also received venture funding. Additionally, they invested in Tini Garments and Coloreel, both of which are relevant to the fabric and textile industry. These transactions highlight Almi's engagement with companies that contribute to the knitted fabric mills context, showcasing their interest in supporting innovation and growth in this sector.


2. 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. Altor has been involved in several notable transactions within the textile and apparel industry, such as their investment in Dale of Norway, a company known for its high-quality knitted garments, and their partnership with Oceansapart, which operates in the clothing sector. Additionally, Altor's acquisition of Trioworld, a company that may have connections to textile production, further demonstrates their engagement in industries related to knitted fabrics. Through tailored investment strategies and a commitment to digital transformation, Altor aims to support the growth of its portfolio companies, including those in the knitted fabric mills space.


3. Chalmers Ventures


Chalmers Ventures is a venture builder and tech investor based in Sweden, founded in 2015. They specialize in deep tech innovations and provide support to researchers and entrepreneurs in commercializing their technologies. Their investment strategy emphasizes active ownership and helping startups scale in the market. Notably, Chalmers Ventures has been involved in several transactions relevant to the textile industry, including investments in TeXtreme, which focuses on advanced textile technologies, and Vividye AB, a startup that has developed a unique printing technology for fabrics. In 2022, they led a seed round for Vividye AB, which raised 4.1MSEK ($439K) to enhance its fabric printing capabilities, showcasing their commitment to innovations that can impact the knitted fabric sector.


4. Bestseller


Bestseller is a corporate investor based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 1975. As a prominent fashion retailer, Bestseller operates a variety of brands offering fashionable garments and accessories at competitive prices through both physical stores and online platforms. In recent years, Bestseller has made significant investments in the textile sector, particularly in companies focused on sustainable fabric technologies. Notably, they participated in funding rounds for Infinited Fiber Company, which raised $13.9 million in May 2023 and EUR 30 million in June 2021, aimed at constructing a flagship factory in Finland and increasing production capabilities. Additionally, Bestseller co-invested in Evrnu's $15 million Series B financing round in November 2021, which is dedicated to scaling the deployment of its fiber regeneration platform. These transactions highlight Bestseller's engagement in the fabric industry, particularly in innovative and sustainable practices.


5. Valve Ventures

  • Website: valveventures.fi
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 2007
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: valve-ventures

Valve Ventures is a corporate investor based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2007. The firm focuses on supporting innovations in technology and collaborates with businesses to facilitate change and solve problems through clear solutions. In recent years, Valve Ventures has been involved in several notable transactions, including investments in Infinited Fiber Company, which received funding aimed at developing sustainable fiber solutions, and AISTI, which raised funds for wood fiber-based acoustic tiles. These investments highlight Valve Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative materials that could be applicable in the knitted fabric mills industry, showcasing their potential relevance in this sector.


6. New Wave Group

  • Website: nwg.se
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1990
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: new-wave-group

New Wave Group AB is a corporate investor based in Gothenburg, Sweden, specializing in the creation, acquisition, and development of brands and products across various sectors, including corporate, sports, gifts, and home. Founded in 1990, the company has grown to employ between 1001 and 5000 people. Notably, New Wave Group has made significant acquisitions in the textile industry, such as Dahetra A/S, which includes subsidiaries in Sweden, Norway, and a majority stake in Hurricane Textile Printing in Bangladesh. This acquisition, announced in 2005, aimed to enhance their market presence in the low-price textile segment. Additionally, they acquired Cutter & Buck Inc. in 2007, a designer of upscale golf and sportswear, further diversifying their portfolio in the apparel market. These transactions highlight New Wave Group's commitment to expanding its influence in the textile and apparel sectors, including knitted fabrics.


7. Nefco - the Nordic Green Bank

  • Website: nefco.int
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 1990
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: nefco

Nefco - the Nordic Green Bank is a not-for-profit organization established in 1990, headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. It specializes in financing green projects and sustainable development initiatives, primarily providing loans and equity funding to Nordic SMEs and municipalities in Eastern Europe. Nefco plays a vital role in supporting the growth of green initiatives and addressing climate change challenges through its financial services. Notably, Nefco has been involved in transactions such as financing Coloreel, a company that has developed technology to eliminate the need for pre-coloured threads, thereby promoting environmental sustainability within the textile industry. This investment highlights Nefco's commitment to supporting innovative solutions that can positively impact the textile sector, making it a relevant player in the knitted fabric mills context. Additionally, Nefco has provided funding to Sulapac, a company focused on developing sustainable materials, further emphasizing its dedication to environmentally friendly innovations.



Knitted Fabric Mills Insights: Key Investors in the Nordics


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
Altor Equity PartnersStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden51-20020036
Chalmers VenturesSweden11-50201526
BestsellerOslo, Oslo, Norway10001+19750
Valve VenturesHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland1-1020071
New Wave GroupGothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden1001-500019900
Nefco - the Nordic Green BankHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland51-20019906


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