74 MSEK to STING companies during first half of 2015
It has been a strong first half of 2015 for the STING companies. Fifteen investment have been completed with a value of more than SEK 74 million. The venture capital has been invested in startups with operations in all four industries that STING focuses on: ICT, Internet/media, cleantech and life science, with the largest portion placed in life science companies.
− These figures show the great potential of the STING companies. It’s great to see the Swedish and foreign venture capital firms’ and business angels’ continued confidence in our startups, says Pär Hedberg, founder and CEO of STING (Stockholm Innovation & Growth).
One of the most recent and larger investments comes from the Markman family, co-owner and driving force in the company Camfil, who invests SEK 20 million in Antrad Medical and takes place on the company’s board. Antrad offers blood banks a technical solution for thawing frozen blood plasma quickly and safely in five minutes. Existing technology requires up to 30 minutes. In case of accidents, surgery and childbirths, however, quick access to the thawed fresh plasma can be a matter of life or death.
− We offer a complete solution for blood banks that can save lives. It is economical, fast, and flexible, and delivers the highest quality of blood plasma for patients, and contributes to significantly better care, said Kurt Högnelid, CEO of Antrad Medical AB.
Other investments made during the spring, includes the auction site Barnebys, where Active Venture Partners led the Series B round totaling SEK 12 million. Gullspång Invest, together with business angels Ludvig Linge and Johan Lenander, invested SEK 6 million in the EdTech company EdQu, and Klarna founder Niklas Adalberth and others have invested SEK 1 million in the digital meeting place for advisors, Competencer.
Other companies that have raised capital are Billecta, Bioservo Technologies, Boxgard, Chundsell Medicals, Codarica, Dreamler, Haaartland, HappyTail, LUP Technologies, Market2Meber, Peppy Pals, Salesbox, Sellpy, Strawpay, Sudio, Telcred and Watty.
