University of Helsinki Venture Investments

The University of Helsinki provides a breeding ground for innovations. The University supports the process of turning innovations into business through spinout companies. The goal is especially to support their early steps and accelerate their development.

All investments are made in compliance with the University of Helsinki Investment Principles and Investment Plan. The University makes 10 000 - 50 000 euros pre-seed investments at the very early-stage spinouts and startups which has a clear relation to the University. Larger 50 000 - 300 000 euros follow-up investments can be made together with other investors.

The University of Helsinki manages an endowment of 711 million Euros (end of 2023). The primary goal of the investments is to increase the University’s financial stability and independence.

Investment principles of the University of Helsinki are based on science, and hence most of its investments are globally diversified with low costs. The only notable exception from diversification is venture investments related to the University. The University seeks to leverage its financial capital through focused investments into companies powered by intellectual property and human resources associated with the University. Hence, the University seeks to support its mission by combining financial efficiency and societal impact in its investments.

Full year 2023

University investments and portfolio

• 0.6 m€ investments into 6 cases
• 5 new companies
• 27 total number of companies
• 34.9 m€ market value of the portfolio
• 2 exits; 4Pharma and Hereditas

Funding rounds of portfolio companies

• 11 funding rounds 
• 23.2 m€ raised funding

1-10/2024

University investments and portfolio

• 1.1 m€ investments into 11 cases
• 7 new companies
• 31 total number of companies
• 38.4 m€ market value of the portfolio
• 1 exit; Airmodus

Funding rounds of portfolio companies

• 20 funding rounds 
• 178.2 m€ raised funding

Figures exclude 6 investments which are not related to University of Helsinki

The University of Helsinki is a long-term partner supporting the creation and progression of the spinout and startup companies. Management of operations are left to the entrepreneurs and hence the University of Helsinki doesn’t take the operating freedom from the founders.

Investment team starts supporting cases and founding team at the very early stage, usually once they are closer to setting up a company. Once the company is formed, the University remains as an active sparring partner providing guidance and support regarding for instance legal work, governance, communications, and funding.

The University of Helsinki has done venture investments already from year 2000. The University’s technology transfer office Helsinki Innovation Services was formed in 2011. Commercialization projects supported by Business Finland’s Research-to-Business funding (“R2B”), has ever since been an essential pipeline for spinouts.

In addition to spinouts, The University of Helsinki organizes the HELSEED student entrepreneurship program, within which the University invests in startups. The University of Helsinki has also organized incubator activities. These two are avenues for more University related startups and innovations.

Early-stage venture investments are highly risky, and it is very typical that the outcomes vary a lot with numerous variables affecting the potential success. The University of Helsinki was a large investor in Mobidiag, which was sold to Hologic Inc in 2021 with almost 800 million US Dollars. A few others have reached a milestone of listing their shares to stock exchange, including  Herantis Pharma and Nanoform Finland.