“Nordic universities are constantly creating world-class innovations and breakthrough technologies that can solve even major societal problems. However, research-based deep technologies face many common challenges when it comes to initial commercialisation. Many investors may also shy away from projects that they consider too complex, for example in terms of the transfer of intangible rights or team formation. We want to actively participate in turning researchers' revolutionary insights into commercial success stories,” says Jari Strandman, CEO and Founding Partner of Nordic Science Investments.

The foundation of the company's success lies in its active collaboration with universities and researchers. As a crucial early-stage anchor investor, NSI is committed to making teams more attractive to future investments from later-stage venture capitalists by mitigating risks. This commitment entails active participation in shaping potential investment opportunities, often before the companies are officially formed, to ensure these portfolio companies are adequately prepared for subsequent private investments.

Nordic Science Investments stands out as the first fund in the Nordics dedicated to creating spinouts on a significant scale, with a focus on the earliest phases of commercial development. The company has recently achieved the first close of its inaugural fund and is moving forward with its initial investments in university spinouts.

“We are very pleased with the results of our first fundraising close. The initial round has attracted significant institutional investors, which indicates that there is a clear demand for this type of fund at the interface with universities,” says Matti Hautsalo, seasoned Venture Capitalist and Founding Partner of Nordic Science Investments.

Among the Investors who are participating in the first round is Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd), which believes that NSI not only fills a financial gap but also has the potential to attract new international investors who have previously overlooked research-based innovations in the Nordic region.

“For us at Tesi, it is important to support the commercialisation of innovations and research, especially now when the financial situation among Finnish start-up companies focusing on deep technologies has recently deteriorated, and new companies are not being established at the same rate as before. Nordic Science Investments brings significant new capital and expertise to support Finland's science and research-based companies. It may also turn the eyes of new international investors towards Finland and the Nordic countries,” says Samuel Wendel, Senior Market Research Analyst at Tesi.

In addition to Jari Strandman and Matti Hautsalo, the founding partners of Nordic Science Investments include Dr Alexandra Gylfe, and Anssi Uimonen, responsible for fundraising efforts. The four have strong expertise in academic research, technology transfer and investment , as well as extensive and influential international networks within science-focused investment communities.

“We have done a tremendous amount of background work and leveraged our own as well as our partners’ experiences from the best practices in leading science investment funds in the UK and the US. We believe that our strategic business model built on these lessons will significantly boost the commercialisation of research results in Finland and elsewhere in the Nordic region,” says Dr Alexandra Gylfe.