Verdane, an Oslo-based specialist growth equity investment firm, is launching Europe’s largest growth impact fund; “Fund Idun I”. The firm is expected to invest €300 million in companies that contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Verdane is a specialist growth equity investment firm that has been founded in 1985 and it partners with sustainable, tech-enabled businesses based out of Northern Europe. The firm aims to help these businesses reach the next stage of international growth. Verdane specializes in growing digital consumer, software, and energy and resource efficiency businesses.
The firm’s eight funds hold over €3 billion in total commitments and since 2003, Verdane has made over 135 investments through portfolio and direct transactions. With Fund Idun I, the firm is going to invest in technology-enabled companies that contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals. The firm is going to invest €300 million in such businesses and has already made three investments.
Verdane can “add value and scale its partner businesses”
Among the investors of the Fund there are many leading institutions such as Nysnø Climate Investments, AP3, Adams Street Partners and clients advised by Mercer. Verdane’s fund has already made investments in three compelling companies. These are Auntie, a digital provider of workplace wellbeing services, Spond, a digital enabler of grassroot sports and physical health, a third business that contributes to a low-carbon society, which is not yet announced.
Christian Jebsen, Partner at Verdane, says that they are seeing many potential investment opportunities in Northwestern Europe, as we see in Fund Idun I’s early investment into three promising companies. Also, he talked about sustainability becoming an increasingly competitive strategy and private equity moving towards a more impact-driven mindset. He then went on to add:
“As both a technology and sustainability growth partner, Verdane is strongly positioned to add value and scale its partner businesses, and we look forward to working alongside management teams to drive positive impact.”