Singapore-based venture capital firm Leo Capital has officially entered the Nordic market with the launch of its new €25 million fund, Europe Fund I. This initiative marks Leo Capital’s first European venture and underscores its commitment to nurturing B2B startups in the Nordic region. With its new headquarters in Helsinki, Leo Capital aims to leverage its proven investment strategy to support ambitious startups and drive technological innovation across Europe.

A Strategic Expansion into Europe

Leo Capital, founded in Singapore in 2018, has established itself as a prominent player in early-stage venture funding across the APAC region. The firm’s track record includes managing three successful funds that focus on seed to pre-Series A stage investments in technology startups. With Europe Fund I, Leo Capital extends its reach into the Nordic region, targeting B2B startups from the pre-seed stage onwards. This fund is supported by a range of global investors, including anchor investor Business Finland Venture Capital.

The firm’s decision to establish a Nordic headquarters in Helsinki follows its participation in the 90 Day Finn program, an initiative aimed at attracting international investors to Finland. This strategic move aligns with Leo Capital’s broader goal of enhancing its global footprint and tapping into the dynamic Nordic tech ecosystem.

Supporting Ambitious Nordic Startups

Europe Fund I will focus on investing in startups within the Nordic region, a market known for its innovative tech scene and global outlook. Leo Capital’s approach is built on a successful playbook that combines world-class Indian tech talent with the firm’s extensive cross-border experience. This strategy has previously enabled the firm to help B2B founders expand into the US and other international markets effectively.

Shwetank Verma, co-founder and Managing Partner of Leo Capital, highlighted the firm’s excitement about entering the Nordic market. “Nordic founders have a remarkable history of creating global success stories. Our mission with this fund is to support these founders by bringing our proven India Advantage playbook to the region,” Verma stated. He emphasized the importance of capital-efficient business strategies in today’s funding environment and the firm’s commitment to helping startups scale globally.

A Vision for Future Growth

Leo Capital’s entry into the Nordic region represents a significant milestone in the firm’s international expansion strategy. The fund aims to address a notable gap in later-stage funding within the Nordic ecosystem, which has traditionally seen more support at the early stages. By attracting larger international funds and investors, Leo Capital seeks to elevate Finland’s and the broader Nordic region’s success stories on the global stage.

Henry Goodwin, Leo Capital Partner, emphasized the firm’s strategy of partnering with capable and resilient founding teams. “Our goal is to combine the vision and dynamism of Nordic founders with our extensive networks and resources to accelerate their growth and help them realize their global ambitions,” Goodwin explained.

Leo Capital’s €25 million Europe Fund I marks a significant expansion into the Nordic region, reflecting the firm’s commitment to supporting innovative B2B startups and driving technological advancement in Europe. With its new Helsinki headquarters and a strategic focus on bridging the gap in later-stage funding, Leo Capital is poised to make a substantial impact on the Nordic tech ecosystem. As the firm embarks on this new chapter, its expertise, and resources are set to play a crucial role in fostering the next generation of global tech leaders from the region.