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Lifeline Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Helsinki, focusing on pre-seed and seed investments. Operating sector-agnostically, it nurtures promising enterprises across industries. The firm provides comprehensive support and strategic guidance, leveraging its team's deep operational experience in company building.
Established in 2009, the firm was founded by accomplished serial entrepreneurs, including Petteri Koponen, known for ventures like Jaiku. This collective background provided the core insight: to offer hands-on mentorship and strategic support to new founders. Jyri Engeström and Timo Ahopelto have been integral to its development.
Lifeline Ventures partners with ambitious teams striving to become future industry leaders. Its vision is to be the primary, trusted resource for entrepreneurs, offering unwavering support through all growth stages. The firm cultivates an ecosystem where founders transform initial ideas into impactful businesses.
Key people at Lifeline Ventures.
Lifeline Ventures is a Helsinki-based early-stage venture capital firm focused on partnering with resilient founders to build future category-leading companies. Their mission centers on supporting startups with funding, strategic guidance, and operational expertise, investing primarily in sectors such as health, climate tech, hardware, software, marketplaces, gaming, and advanced technologies. They typically invest between €100K and €3M, participating in angel, seed, and Series A rounds, and have backed over 150 companies including notable names like Wolt, Supercell, Enevo, and Iceye, thereby significantly impacting the startup ecosystem in Finland and beyond[1][2][3].
Founded in 2009 by serial entrepreneurs Petteri Koponen and Timo Ahopelto, Lifeline Ventures evolved from a founder-led investment approach to managing a €150 million fund (Fund V), emphasizing deep involvement with portfolio companies. Koponen brings extensive startup and board experience, including roles at Google and Elisa, while Ahopelto has a background spanning biotech, digital media, and software, having co-founded CRF Health. Their combined entrepreneurial expertise shapes the firm’s hands-on investment philosophy and operational support model[2][3].
Lifeline Ventures rides the global trend of early-stage venture capital focusing on resilient, founder-driven innovation across diverse sectors, particularly in health, climate tech, and digital marketplaces. The timing aligns with increasing demand for sustainable and tech-enabled solutions, supported by Finland’s strong startup ecosystem and expanding European tech markets. Their influence extends by nurturing startups that become regional and global leaders, thereby strengthening the Nordic innovation landscape and connecting it to broader international markets[2][3].
Looking ahead, Lifeline Ventures is poised to continue scaling its impact by leveraging its deep entrepreneurial roots and expanding fund resources. Trends such as AI, climate technologies, and digital health will likely shape their investment focus, with the firm maintaining its hands-on approach to help startups navigate scaling challenges. Their evolving influence will be critical in fostering resilient, innovative companies that can lead new industry categories, reinforcing their role as a cornerstone of the Nordic and European venture capital ecosystem[2][3].
Key people at Lifeline Ventures.
