Vækstfonden in Brief

Vækstfonden is a state investment fund, which aims to create new growth companies by providing venture capital and competence. Since 1992 Vækstfonden has, in cooperation with private investors, co-financed growth in more than 4,000 Danish companies with a total commitment of more than DKK 7.7 billion. Vækstfonden invests equity or provides loans and guarantees in collaboration with private partners and Danish financial institutions. The companies which Vækstfonden has co-financed since 1992 represent a total turnover of more than DKK 25 billion and employ approx. 27,000 people all over the country.

Did you know that...

... Vækstfonden is one of the largest investors in the Danish venture market with total commitments of DKK 3.7 billion to 20 venture funds.

The glass walls in Vækstfonden’s meeting rooms are designed for writing on them.

Market, Companies and Returns

We measure the impact of our efforts in three areas:

Best performing market for innovation finance in Europe
Successful growth companies
Return on investment

Best performing market for innovation finance in Europe: We analyse how the Danish market for innovation finance develops compared with the rest of Europe and other markets worldwide. Our vision is for the Danish market for innovation finance to be the best performing in Europe. From 2002-2006 we advanced from #6 to #3 and maintained that position throughout 2007.

Successful growth companies: We measure growth in employment and revenue across all the more than 200 companies we have in our portfolio. Our portfolio of growth companies consists both of companies that we have invested in directly and companies in the portfolios of venture capital funds we have funded. In 2006-07, employment growth was 32% across the portfolio, while revenues increased by 21%.

Return on investment: We are determined to create value in the companies we invest in. This is based on a win-win philosophy; if we gain on an investment in a portfolio company, all other investors gain as well. Everyone involved in a profitable company is thereby given a chance to partake in the returns. Our return on investment is thus a measure of success in the companies we invest in. The greater return we receive, the more companies we may invest in. Underpinning our investment strategy is the approach to always invest on market terms. This is also why we must continuously deliver positive exits from our portfolio.