Voima Ventures

Voima Ventures is a Nordic venture capital firm founded in 2019 that invests exclusively in early-stage deep-tech startups with strong scientific foundations, primarily in the Nordics and Baltics. Its mission is to support science-driven innovation that addresses pressing global challenges, focusing on sectors such as life sciences, sustainability, quantum technology, advanced AI, and new materials. Voima Ventures targets startups emerging from university labs and research institutions, aiming to scale breakthrough technologies from research to global markets while delivering both financial returns and positive societal impact[1][2][4][5].

The firm’s investment philosophy centers on being thesis-driven and impact-oriented, with a multi-stage investment strategy ranging from pre-seed to later rounds, typically investing between €200K and €3 million initially. Voima Ventures emphasizes collaboration with leading research institutes like VTT and universities across Northern Europe, leveraging a strong network to identify visionary scientific founders. Its portfolio includes notable companies such as Solar Foods, Dispelix, Betolar, and MVision, with several successful exits and an IPO, demonstrating its ability to nurture next-generation unicorns in deep tech[1][2][3][4].

Founded in Helsinki by Inka Mero, a serial entrepreneur and investor, Voima Ventures evolved from managing a spin-off portfolio of VTT’s technical research center into an independent firm with multiple funds, including its latest €100M+ Fund III. This fund is Article 8 compliant under the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, reflecting the firm’s commitment to ESG principles and sustainable innovation. The firm has expanded its presence with offices in Helsinki and Stockholm and continues to deepen its focus on scaling science-based startups that create meaningful global impact alongside strong financial performance[1][4][5].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Focused exclusively on early-stage deep tech startups with strong scientific and academic roots, often university spin-offs.
• Network Strength: Close collaboration with VTT and multiple Northern European universities provides privileged access to cutting-edge research and scientific founders.
• Track Record: Over 30 portfolio companies with multiple exits, including high-profile names like Solar Foods and Dispelix, showcasing successful scaling of deep tech ventures.
• Operating Support: Provides hands-on support to founders in scaling technologies from lab to market, with capacity for significant follow-on investments.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Voima Ventures rides the global trend of increasing investment in deep tech, which combines scientific innovation with entrepreneurship to tackle major challenges in sustainability, health, energy, and advanced computing. The timing is critical as Europe seeks technological sovereignty and economic growth driven by science-based companies. By focusing on the Nordic and Baltic regions—recognized as hotbeds for innovation—Voima Ventures helps bridge the gap between research and commercialization, strengthening the regional ecosystem and contributing to the emergence of globally competitive deep tech unicorns[1][2][3][4].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Voima Ventures is poised to continue expanding its influence in the deep tech space by leveraging its €100M+ Fund III to back visionary founders and breakthrough technologies. Trends such as sustainability, quantum computing, and AI will shape its investment focus, with an increasing emphasis on ESG impact. As the Nordic and Baltic deep tech ecosystem matures, Voima Ventures’ role as a key early-stage investor and ecosystem builder will likely grow, supporting the next wave of science-driven companies that redefine industries and create sustainable value globally[4][5]. This aligns with its founding mission to solve major global problems through innovation-driven growth.