Lifeline Ventures is one of the most successful VC funds, focusing on early stage tech companies. They are often the first to believe in great founders and teams: they were among the first to invest in superstars like Wolt or Supercell.
Now they’ve raised a €130 million fund, which is impressive on a European scale, considering Lifeline invests in early-stage startups. The fund’s initial investments can range from €200 000 to €2 million. However, this bigger fund will enable Lifeline to participate in larger financing rounds during the subsequent growth phase of a startup and invest up to €10 million in a single company over the years.
“We still want to be among the first angel investors in early stage startups. Our most interesting investments have been those in which we have been involved right at the beginning. Although the new fund is bigger, it does not mean that we would invest into companies only during the later stages of their growth” – says Timo Ahopelto, Founding Partner of Lifeline Ventures.
Last year, of the 30% of the 479 Million EUR raised by Finnish companies was done by Lifeline’s investments. They have succeeded in attracting a significant share of the greatest Finnish growth companies in their portfolio – founders of the fund, Timo Ahopelto and Petteri Koponen are known for their sixth sense for success.
Investors in Lifeline’s new fund include pension insurance companies Ilmarinen, Elo and Varma, Finnish Industry Investment and its Growth Fund, Nordea Life Insurance and Taaleri’s Growth Fund . Well-known private investors include Björn Wahlroos, Chairman of the Sampo Board, Henrik Ehrnrooth, Member of the Pöyry Board, and Mikko Kodisoja, co-founder of Supercell.
The new fund is expected to invest in approximately 40 companies over the next five years.
