A collaboration between three prominent Swedish institutions, Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Stockholm University, has led to the creation of a new investment fund aimed at supporting early-stage deep tech ventures. The fund, named Trio Impact Invest, is co-financed by the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket), the European Regional Development Fund, and private investors. This initiative seeks to address a significant financing gap for research-intensive companies in Sweden.
According to Johan Weigelt, CEO of KI Holding AB, the fund’s capacity to provide early investment without the requirement of co-investors will allow it to operate with agility and responsiveness. “This is often critical for companies at the very earliest stages,” he noted. The fund aims to quickly identify and support promising ventures that have the potential to create substantial societal impact.
Capitalizing on Local Expertise
The establishment of Trio Impact Invest builds on the extensive experience and insights into the innovation ecosystem that the three universities’ holding companies bring. With a combination of capital, industrial expertise, business acumen, and well-established networks, the fund is positioned to help companies with unique competitive advantages achieve systematic growth.
The fund has already developed a pipeline of potential investments and plans to announce its first allocations shortly. The collaboration between these institutions reflects a broader commitment to fostering innovation and supporting research-driven enterprises that can contribute to economic development and technological advancements in Sweden.
The combination of resources from the three universities not only enhances the fund’s potential impact but also underscores the importance of collaboration between academia and private investment in driving innovation. As the landscape for early-stage funding continues to evolve, Trio Impact Invest represents a significant step forward in bridging the funding gap for deep tech ventures.
