Maki.vc, a venture capital firm based in Helsinki, has launched its third fund of €100 million to support pre-seed and seed-stage startups in the Nordics and Northern Europe. This latest fund aims to invest in deep tech and brand-driven companies, with an emphasis on projects that align with environmental and social objectives, marking it as an Article 8 fund under EU sustainability regulations.
The new fund has already made seven investments, including:
- Distance Technologies: Founded by ex-Varjo team members, the company is developing the world’s first glasses-free mixed reality solution.
- QMill: A quantum computing startup focused on industrial applications, co-founded by Nokia Technologies’ former CTO and experts in quantum research.
- Ever Cars: A marketplace for electric vehicles, founded by professionals from Stanford University, Uber, Morgan Stanley, and Boston Consulting Group.
With over 50 limited partners, including founders and leaders from companies like Skype, Wise, RELEX Solutions, and Supercell, the fund benefits from a network of experienced advisors. These partners support Maki.vc’s portfolio companies with guidance on recruiting, branding, and securing follow-on funding.
Maki.vc invests initially between €300,000 and €3 million, reserving two-thirds of its fund for follow-on investments. Its first and second funds have contributed to the growth of companies such as Spinnova, which went public in 2021, and customer support automation platform Ultimate, acquired by Zendesk.
“The Nordics represent one of the most significant startup funding regions in Europe, and we believe that investment opportunities here are greater than ever. This unique ecosystem blends cutting-edge R&D, strong industry collaborations, deep tech expertise, and a proven track record of entrepreneurial success, making it the ideal launchpad for tech companies to achieve meaningful global impact,” said Pauliina Martikainen-Rahnu, Partner at Maki.vc.
Founded in 2018, Maki.vc focuses on consumer and enterprise startups that are driven by scientific advances, intellectual property, and deep customer understanding.
