Maki Ventures, a venture capital firm known for its dedication to early-stage innovation, has unveiled its latest initiative—Maki Fund III, a €100 million fund aimed at supporting pioneering startups across deep tech and brand-driven sectors. With a clear emphasis on the Nordic and Northern European markets, Maki Fund III is structured to fuel groundbreaking advancements in technology, blending scientific rigor with customer-centric innovation to address emerging needs and challenges in various industries.

A New Era for Nordic Innovation with Fund III

Maki Ventures, already renowned for supporting notable startups through previous funds, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing early-stage entrepreneurship across the Nordic region with this significant new fund. Maki Fund III builds upon the success of its earlier funds by continuing to focus on pre-seed and seed-stage investments, ensuring that the firm remains embedded in startups’ earliest development phases. The fund has garnered backing from a group of accomplished founders and operators from companies such as Skype, Wise, RELEX Solutions, WithSecure (formerly F-Secure), Aiven, and Supercell. Their combined experience is set to enrich the portfolio companies with hands-on guidance, mentoring, and growth support.

Strategic Focus on Deep Tech and Brand-Driven Startups

At its core, Maki Fund III aims to accelerate innovation within two dynamic spheres: deep tech and brand-driven startups. Maki Ventures is particularly interested in startups developing robust scientific foundations, intellectual property assets, and solutions that are acutely tuned to market demands. In targeting these sectors, the firm sees potential for transformative impact in industries expected to play pivotal roles in shaping the future, including mixed reality, quantum computing, and electric vehicles (EVs).

Already, Maki Fund III has committed capital to six promising startups, each aligned with the fund’s mission to redefine industry standards through innovative approaches and bold visions. Among these early investments are Distance Technologies, a mixed-reality technology startup founded by former Varjo executives; QMill, a company harnessing quantum computing for industrial applications with a team of experts from Nokia Technologies and IQM; and Ever Cars, an online marketplace for electric vehicles, created by a team with experience at organizations like Stanford University, Uber, Morgan Stanley, and BCG. These ventures illustrate Maki’s strategy to focus on companies that leverage technical expertise to deliver real-world solutions with lasting impact.

Building Partnerships Beyond Investment

Maki Ventures takes a comprehensive approach to its investments, forming deep partnerships with each portfolio company that extend far beyond initial financial support. Recognizing the complexities and challenges inherent in scaling a business, Maki Ventures provides a strong network of advisors to assist startups in areas such as talent acquisition, branding, strategic planning, and securing follow-on funding. These collaborative efforts are designed to help founders navigate the demanding path from inception through commercialization, with an emphasis on sustainable growth and efficient scaling.

In line with this hands-on strategy, Maki Ventures works closely with its portfolio companies to refine their products and expand their market reach. The firm’s community of investors and industry experts plays a critical role in offering insight, mentorship, and guidance to ensure that these early-stage companies are equipped to overcome obstacles, innovate effectively, and establish themselves as leaders in their respective industries.

Investment Strategy and Ticket Size

Maki Fund III will focus on initial ticket sizes ranging from €300,000 to €3 million, with reserves allocated for follow-on investments to support portfolio companies beyond their initial milestones. This approach reflects Maki’s intent to stay engaged with companies as they progress, facilitating further funding rounds that allow startups to scale sustainably while pursuing ambitious growth targets. By extending its support across multiple funding stages, Maki Ventures aims to contribute meaningfully to the trajectory of each startup, from the earliest stages of development to market launch and beyond.

Nordic Startup Ecosystem: A Fertile Ground for Innovation

Maki Ventures is confident that the Nordic region, known for its supportive public investment climate and deep pool of technical talent, provides an ideal ecosystem for fostering the next generation of impactful startups. With an established culture of innovation and a growing number of investors willing to support high-tech ventures, the Nordic startup landscape aligns with Maki Fund III’s goal of enabling startups to drive significant change across industries. Maki Ventures sees the region’s unique mix of research and development expertise and entrepreneurial energy as crucial components for breakthroughs that extend beyond local markets to have a global influence.

A Vision for the Future

With the launch of Maki Fund III, Maki Ventures positions itself as a leader in the venture capital landscape, fostering growth in companies that aim to reshape the future of deep tech and consumer-oriented industries. By investing in startups that bring scientific breakthroughs and brand-driven innovation to market, Maki is contributing to the development of transformative solutions that address tomorrow’s most pressing challenges. From mixed reality to quantum computing applications and sustainable transportation, Maki’s portfolio of startups is set to influence sectors that will define the next decade.

Maki Fund III’s launch underscores the firm’s commitment to supporting visionary founders and nurturing businesses that can deliver meaningful, long-lasting impact. Through strategic investments, advisory support, and a dedication to innovation, Maki Ventures aims to strengthen the Nordic startup ecosystem and champion companies capable of reshaping entire industries. As these early-stage startups grow, Maki Ventures’ continued involvement will ensure they have the resources, guidance, and expertise needed to achieve their potential, solidifying Maki Fund III’s place as a cornerstone of deep tech and brand-driven innovation across the Nordics.