Tesi

Tesi’s Interim Review 1.1.–30.6.2024 – Strong result delivered

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Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) achieved a positive result in the first half of 2024, driven by rising valuations, particularly in the early-stage venture capital market. However, the operating environment remains challenging, with fundraising and follow-on financing for both venture capital and private equity (VC & PE) funds and startups and growth companies still significantly below peak levels.

Pia Santavirta, a dark-haired woman and Tesi's (officially Finnish Industry Investment) CEO, pictured in Central Library Oodi
Pia Santavirta, Tesi's CEO

Tesi’s IFRS result for the half-year period was EUR 71 million. During the review period, Tesi made direct investments in Finnish startups and growth companies, as well as commitments to VC & PE funds, totaling EUR 50 million. This included five fund commitments amounting to EUR 35 million and 14 direct investments totaling EUR 15 million. Direct investments consisted of one initial and 13 follow-on investments.

The market remains challenging for both VC & PE funds as well as startup and growth companies. Fundraising has slowed, with some funds falling short of their target sizes. Financing in the startup and growth company market has also slowed.

"Tesi operates on market terms and profitably over the long term. Although our half-year result was positive, fundraising conditions are very difficult for both funds and direct investments, and adaptability is required," says Pia Santavirta, CEO of Tesi.

In spring 2024, the Finnish government proposed an EUR 300 million recapitalization for Tesi for the period of 2025–2027. As part of Tesi’s updated investment strategy, its industrial policy role will be strengthened. The recapitalization will enable larger-scale direct investments and a significant shift in Tesi's role and operations.

The Finnish government aims to promote and improve the conditions for economic growth in a challenging market environment. Tesi is one of the state's most effective tools to enhance the supply of private capital in the market. Together with private investors, we can build solutions to drive growth in and renewal of the economy," Santavirta continues.

Key Figures H1 2024 (H1 2023 in brackets):

  • Investments and commitments: EUR 50 million (108)
    • Commitments in VC & PE funds: EUR 35 million (83), 5 funds (4)
    • Direct investments: EUR 15 million (25), 14 companies (24)
      • 1 initial investment (4)
      • 13 follow-on investments (19) including 2 from corona-specific special investment programmes
  • Exits from companies: 10 (3)
  • Tesi’s result: EUR 71 million (-36)
  • International capital into Finnish companies from Tesi’s investor partners: EUR 73 million (73)
  • New capital raised by Tesi’s Finnish portfolio funds: EUR 216 million (406)
  • Assets under management as of 30 June 2024: EUR 2.6 billion (2.5)
    • 121 fund commitments (118), including 5 fund-of-funds (5), and 114 direct investments (130)
    • 2 fund commitments and 52 direct investments (52) made from special COVID-19 investment programs for initial investments.

Read more in our H1 2024 Interim Review!

updated 3 Oct 2024 at 8.25 am: H1 2023 figure for new capital raised by Finnish funds

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Pia Santavirta, a dark-haired woman and Tesi's (officially Finnish Industry Investment) CEO, pictured in Central Library Oodi
Pia Santavirta, Tesi's CEO
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Tesi in a nutshell

Tesi (officially Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) is a state-owned, market-driven investment company that invests in venture capital and private equity funds and directly in Finnish startups and growth companies. tesi.fi | X (Twitter) |  LinkedIn | Instagram | Bluesky | Threads | Newsletter

Tesi’s background:

  • A venture capital and private equity company founded in 1995
  • Officially Finnish Industry Investment Ltd
  • 100% owned by the Finnish state
  • Investments under management EUR 2.6 billion
  • EUR 12 billion in net sales and some 70,000 jobs in Finland through those growth companies that have received financing directly from Tesi or indirectly through its portfolio funds

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Latest releases from Tesi

Puhtaan siirtymän teollisia investointihankkeita käynnistymässä, näkymät seuraaville vuosille varovaisen positiivisia13.12.2024 00:04:22 EET | Tiedote

Tesin (Suomen Teollisuussijoitus) tuoreen selvityksen mukaan Suomessa on käynnissä useita uusia teollisia hankkeita liittyen esimerkiksi energiasiirtymään ja teollisuuden vähähiilisiin liiketoimintamalleihin, biomateriaaleihin ja metalleihin. Muun muassa edullinen uusiutuva energia ja vähähiilinen tehokas siirtoverkko voivat houkutella Suomeen lisää uutta teollisuutta, jos hankkeille löytyy riittävästi osaavaa rahoitusta.

Launching of industrial investment projects, cautiously positive outlook for next few years13.12.2024 00:04:22 EET | Press release

A recent survey by Tesi (officially Finnish Industry Investment) reveals that new industrial projects are being launched in Finland. They are focused on, for instance, energy transmission, low-carbon operating models for industry, biomaterials and metals. Inexpensive renewable energy and an efficient low-carbon transmission grid, amongst other factors, can attract more new industry to Finland if sufficient smart financing can be found for projects.

Varovaisen positiivisia uutisia syväteknologiayrityksiltä: rahoituksen määrä kasvussa, näkymät ensi vuodelle toiveikkaat14.11.2024 00:02:31 EET | Tiedote

Tesin (Suomen Teollisuussijoitus) uuden selvityksen mukaan suomalaisten syväteknologiayritysten rahoitustilanne on piristynyt viime vuoteen verrattuna. Muutamat suomalaiset huippuyritykset ovat hyvää vauhtia matkalla alansa markkinajohtajiksi, ja sijoittajien hankevirrassa on useita kiinnostavia uusia alkuja. Näkymiä kuitenkin synkentävät lisääntyneet konkurssit ja myöhemmän vaiheen sijoitusten saatavuus.

Cautiously positive news from the deep tech sector: growth in funding volumes, encouraging outlook for the coming year14.11.2024 00:02:31 EET | Press release

A recent study by Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) shows that the availability of financing for Finnish deep tech companies has improved compared to last year. A few top Finnish companies are well on their way to becoming market leaders in their field, and there are many new entrants in the deal flow of investors. However, the outlook is clouded by a higher bankruptcy rate and lagging of later-stage investments.

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