The Swedish private equity firm EQT is setting up a new venture capital fund with a volume of more than half a billion euros. The money will be invested in European startups, with a particular focus on Munich and Berlin-based startups.
EQT Ventures already holds stakes in five companies, including two Munich-based startups. At the beginning of the year, the private equity firm made an investment of 5 million euros at the comparison portal for holiday apartments Holidu to. In February 2016, he joined riskmethods. The Munich startup identifies and assesses the risks of global supply chains for its customers.
Fund plans further investments: “The pipeline looks good”
The investments in the Munich-based companies are apparently driven by a strategic focus on Germany. Handelsblatt quotes EQT manager Hjalmar Winbladh:
"Germany is a very important market for us, especially Berlin and Munich. Here we want to work with EQT Ventures in the coming months further investments make, the pipeline looks good.”
Over the past six months, valuations of young technology companies have declined and are now back at a more realistic level, says Winbladh.
EQT Ventures will continue to seek minority investments of between €1 million and €75 million in fast-growing technology companies. The Swedes do not rule out investments in global companies.
