Venture Nordics Participants 2024
Get to know our Venture Nordic participants.They have managed a total AUM of around 12 billion euros. They will be in Helsinki May 30 - June 7th to explore opportunities in the New Nordic ecosyst
Meet the 2024 Venture Nordics Participants
Venture Nordics is a 9-day program for international fund managers and LPs interested in exploring opportunities in the New Nordics. The program offers a blend of professional networking, ecosystem insights, and the essence of Finnish culture.
This year’s participants have managed a total AUM of around 12 billion euros. They will be in Helsinki May 30 – June 7th to explore opportunities in the New Nordics ecosystem. Learn more about this year’s participants.
Abhijeet Hivarekar
Co-founder, Haritaki (GP)
Abhijeet is Co-founder of Haritaki, a buyout structure with a roll-up strategy based in Singapore. Haritaki is an environment-focused platform that aims to bring together fifteen to twenty companies under one roof in the coming five years, aiming to become a major player in the Environment and sustainability space. Currently, they are in the process of making the first three acquisitions in the industrial air pollution control sector.
Abhijeet has over twenty years of experience in the financial sector, with a rich background in banking, credit rating, and asset management across esteemed institutions such as Standard and Poor’s, IDBI Bank, UBS AG, Credit Suisse AG, and ABN Amro NV.
Abhijeet joins the Venture Nordics Program to explore:
- Evaluating Helsinki as a potential hub for Haritaki’s expansion into Europe and the strategic deployment of capital in the region.
- Identifying companies that align with Haritaki’s environmental mission to potentially meet and discuss collaboration.
- Seeking opportunities for meaningful interactions with Finnish and European environmental and sustainability-focused funds for potential partnerships and joint ventures.
- Assessing the business landscape in Finland to understand the feasibility and implications of investing in Finnish companies, given Haritaki’s buyout strategy and the need for a supportive legal and corporate environment.
- Investigating the level of interest from limited partners (LPs) and investors in the environmental sector.
- Measuring the commitment of both private and public sectors in Finland to initiatives that have a direct impact on pollution control, energy efficiency, optimum resource utilization, and water management.
Ashish Kumar
Co-founder and General Partner, Fundamentum
Ashish Kumar is a tech founder turned venture capitalist currently leading Fundamentum as a General Partner, a growth stage venture fund in India, and deploying out of their Fund II with a total size of €200M to lead investment rounds with 10M-25M tickets. His journey began at Microsoft in the USA, followed by founding three tech companies in India, two of which were successfully sold. His latest achievement is completing the fundraising for Fundamentum’s new fund, targeting companies poised to lead their markets. Ashish has played a key role in investments like Spinny, PharmEasy, FarEye, and WishLink.
Through the Venture Nordics Program, Ashish seeks to understand the venture ecosystems in Europe, focusing on innovative products with potential in India. He is keen on exploring partnerships and investment opportunities that align with the Europe-India investment theme:
- Find innovative products with global and Indian market potential.
- Explore investment opportunities in Finland/Europe to gain an advantage.
- Connect with European/Nordic investors interested in the Europe-India investment theme.
Celine Schulze
Co-founder, Narwhale Ventures (GP)
Celine is co-founder of Narwhale Ventures, a strategy for direct investments in early-stage sustainability-driven blue economy startups. As the ocean is the largest carbon sink, it plays a crucial role in climate mitigation and adaptation. Innovations are currently unlocking the ocean’s potential to provide sustainable food, transportation and goods. Celine and her team have invested over EUR 1.2 billion in SME.
Through the Venture Nordics Program, Celine aims to become an active member and investor in the Finnish startup scene. She seeks to broaden Narwhale Ventures’ horizons in the New Nordics and amplify its presence among ocean-related startups, potential investors, and supporters of their blue vision. Her vision for Helsinki:
- Lead Narwhale Ventures’ expansion into the Finnish and Baltic startup scenes.
- Network with Finnish investors sharing a passion for innovation and sustainability.
- Build collaborations with Finnish academia and research for tech advancements.
- Support Finnish ocean-tech startups with capital and strategic guidance.
Linn-Cecilie Linneman
Investor, new adventure to be announced
Linn-Cecilie Linnemann brings over two decades of experience as a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, with a track record in business strategy, investment, and communication. She spearheaded the Katapult Group as CEO, an influential European impact venture investor with a portfolio of 173 companies geared towards global climate and ocean positivity.
Linnemann is also a staunch advocate for gender equality, co-founding SHE Conference, and contributes as a board member to companies in the climate and edtech sectors. In the Venture Nordics Program, her aims are:
- Broaden her network and deepen her understanding of the Nordic business environment, especially Finland.
- Engage with individuals and organizations in Finland to explore opportunities in the ecosystem.
Matthew Hicks
Senior Investment Analyst, VC funds, The Church Commissioners for England (LP)
Matthew Hicks represents The Church Commissioners for England in global venture fund investments, emphasising ethical and responsible investment practices. His role involves strategic allocations to transformative startups through top-tier venture funds, with a focus on sustainable growth. At the end of 2022, the Church Commissioners’ investment fund held assets valued at £10.3B.
Joining the Venture Nordics program, Matthew aims to immerse himself in the Nordic innovation ecosystem, identifying opportunities to support and invest in the region’s most promising startups, thereby contributing to the Church Commissioners’ mission of fostering positive social impact. Matthew is looking to:
- Deepen his understanding of the Nordic innovation ecosystem and its key drivers.
- Build and strengthen networks with local investors, startups, and institutions.
- Invest in venture funds that are committed to nurturing high-potential startups in the Nordic region.
Milapsinh Jadeja
Founder and Managing Director, Iroller Capital (GP)
Milapsinh Jadeja, an accomplished angel investor and strategic advisor from India, boasts a global investment portfolio with over 70 companies. His experience spans two decades in senior management roles, complemented by academic achievements in executive education and private equity from U.C.-San Diego & Ahmedabad University. Milap’s involvement in establishing the Iroller Emerging Opportunities Fund Category 1 AIF showcases his commitment to fostering early-stage innovation.
Through the Venture Nordics Program he intends to expand his investment horizon to Europe, seeking to understand the Finnish venture ecosystem’s unique offerings. He is:
- Keen to understand the process and formalities of setting up a fund in the Nordics
- Interested in learning more about the opportunities and benefits Finland has to offer for international VCs
- Meet the European LPs and family offices
Rahul Rajani
Partner, Manerama Capital (LP)
Based in London, Rahul Rajani runs his family’s investment office out of Mumbai and Singapore. Apart from the managing the investment practice, he is also developing renewable energy assets across India. The family office are LP’s in multiple venture and private equity funds across different geographies and sectors. Some noticeable direct investments include – Cover Genius(Australia), Vespene(US), H20 AI(US), Cerebras Systems(US)
Since moving to London, Rahul’s interest in the European venture scene has grown, driven by the Nordics’ reputation for engineering excellence and innovative design. With Venture Nordics program, Rahul is looking to:
- Meet with technology pioneers to discuss groundbreaking solutions and market potential.
- Network with organisations and institutions that have been leading in performance WRT capital allocation and ROC.
- Evaluate investment strategies and capital performance of leading institutions in the region.
- Investigate Nordic policies and incentives for fostering investment in innovation.
Vadim Shpak
Managing Director, Vickers Venture Partners (GP)
Vadim Shpak, as the Managing Director at Vickers Venture Partners, brings over seven years of venture capital expertise to the forefront of global business development and investment strategies. His acumen in raising capital for funds and their investee companies is complemented by his prowess in fostering robust investor relations, refining negotiation skills, and implementing strategic management. Committed to innovation and growth, Vadim leverages his vast network and industry insight to champion startups poised to create substantial regional and global change.
Vadim’s hopes for Helsinki:
- Engage with the Nordic deep-tech and life sciences sectors, highlighting Finnish achievements.
- Establish Vickers Venture Partners as a key player in the Finnish and global investment scenes.
- Scout for strategic alliances and co-investment opportunities in Finland.
- Enhance Vickers Venture Partners’ presence in the venture capital realm.
Vivek Dogra
Co-founder and General Partner, Defossilisation Development Fund (GP)
Vivek is the Co-founder and General Partner at DDF – Defossilisation Development Fund, a Swiss climate-tech fund dedicated to eliminating fossil fuel dependencies across various industry sectors. His extensive background in corporate venture building and leadership spans the venture capital and consumer goods industries.
Notably, Vivek has contributed as a Venture Partner at ECBF, Europe’s pioneering circular bioeconomy fund, and established Nestlé’s Open Innovation Hubs in Singapore and London. His managerial expertise is further highlighted by his tenure leading significant P&L responsibilities across Asia for global brands like Diageo, Red Bull, and Heineken. In the Venture Nordics Program, Vivek’s objectives are to:
- Gain a thorough insight into the Finnish/Nordic innovation and venture capital scene.
- Seek out and establish meaningful partnerships.
- Gather actionable knowledge for establishing DDF’s presence in the Finnish/Nordic market.
- Experience life in Finland, embracing the culture of the world’s happiest country.
Register your interest for the next program
The application period for 2024 is now closed. We invite you to join the waitlist, to be among the first to know when applications reopen.
The Venture Nordics Program offers a select few the opportunity to get to know the region with the highest number of unicorns outside Silicon Valley per capita globally. Complete the form to stay in touch with us and be among the first to find out when the Venture Nordics 2025 applications reopen.