EVENT RECAP & GALLERY: EstVCA Funds on Stage: 2024 Recap
This year, the EstVCA Funds on Stage event took place on February 19 in Tallinn. The representatives of 18 funds gave insightful overviews of last year's journey and activities while opening up about their plans for the upcoming year.
The Estonian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EstVCA) CEO Madis Lehtmets says that the private and venture capital funds operating in Estonia actively seek new investments locally and abroad. “Last year, funds expanded their teams, opened offices in other countries, and attracted international talent to boost their presence on foreign markets and grow their expertise, including to invest in new sectors,” he explained.
The fund managers noted that there is growing confidence when it comes to investing in innovative fields. For example, opportunities are more actively being sought in sectors like green and deep technologies, defense, energy, and medicine.
Speaking about the economic environment, the participants agreed that although investing continues to be influenced by the economy and surrounding environment, people are optimistic about the overall investment climate. Karma Ventures co-founder and partner Margus Uudam says the market is picking up again after a rather sluggish 2024. “There are clear signs of improvement in what are turning out to be very interesting times,” he said. “Our strategic interest lies in seeing more portfolio companies reaching sales this year.”
Discussing expectations for 2025, the participants remarked that people are hoping to see new exits bring capital to the market for funds and experienced start-up founders. However, they also sounded a note of caution, adding that there should be no rush to sell portfolio companies if the economic environment is unfavorable.
On the topic of development needs, the fund managers said that very few new start-ups were established in Estonia in 2024, forcing local investors to more actively seek investment opportunities further afield. Veljo Otsason, a partner in Superangel, says that with such a limited number of start-ups having been established of late, the expectation is that new quality players will emerge in 2025. “That said, our fund’s focus this year will be on new investments,” he added.
Last year, the funds made active investments in new start-ups, but also follow-on investments in companies in their portfolios to help them grow. The participants noted that in 2024 portfolio companies were successful in raising capital from foreign investors. That trend is likely to continue this year, as an increasing number of local start-ups are reaching a more mature stage and will need capital from new and existing investors in Estonia and abroad to expand their operations.
Regarding the focus for 2025, partners from the private and venture capital funds operating in Estonia revealed that they are also actively investing in the next generation of founders and that working with young people has become an important part of what they do.