{"id":354147,"date":"2025-08-18T12:17:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T12:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/354147\/"},"modified":"2025-08-18T12:17:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T12:17:12","slug":"norrsken-evolve-launches-e57m-fund-to-back-impact-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/354147\/","title":{"rendered":"Norrsken Evolve launches \u20ac57M fund to back “impact tech”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Norrsken Foundation<\/a> has launched Norrsken Evolve, a new \u20ac57 million pre-seed fund aimed at backing startups working “at the intersection of impact, resilience, and scalability”. <\/p>\n

The fund will target early-stage founders across Europe building solutions in sustainability, deeptech and infrastructure critical to the continent\u2019s long-term resilience.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe initiative represents a natural evolution of Norrsken Accelerator, the foundation\u2019s existing early-stage programme launched in 2021. Norrsken Evolve will not only offer \u20ac250,000 in upfront capital, double the Accelerator\u2019s previous standard, but will also enable follow-on investments in top-performing companies.\n<\/p>\n

\n The fund will be led by General Partners Johan Attby, Alex Bakir, and Rebecka L\u00f6thman Ryd\u00e5. Its limited partners (LPs) include high-profile institutional backers such as Saminvest, the European Investment Fund<\/a>, and SmartCap Green Fund (supported by the EU’s NextGenerationEU programme), as well as notable private investors including Taavet Hinrikus and Sten Tamkivi\u2019s firm, Skaala.\n<\/p>\n

\n This new vehicle arrives at a time when Europe\u2019s tech ecosystem is grappling with broader macroeconomic uncertainty. While VC investment across the continent dipped in recent quarters, impact-focused funds – particularly those at the pre-seed and seed stages – have shown relative resilience, driven by the EU\u2019s green agenda and strategic emphasis on deeptech and industrial sustainability.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cWith Europe in the midst of environmental, geo-political and financial turmoil, many feel demoralised. Yet there is a rising wave of pioneers…with groundbreaking solutions. We want to champion these founders,\u201d said Rebecka L\u00f6thman Ryd\u00e5, General Partner at Norrsken Evolve.\n<\/p>\n

\n The fund is structured around intensive, in-person “sprints” designed to support early-stage founders through the most critical phases of product and company development. This hands-on approach is paired with access to Norrsken\u2019s extensive network of mentors, operators, and investors.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cWhen we launched Norrsken Accelerator four years ago, our mission was clear: to build a pipeline of emerging impact-tech unicorns… We’ve proven the model works. Now, with the \u20ac57m Norrsken Evolve fund… we’re doubling down,\u201d said Funda Sezgi, co-CEO of Norrsken Foundation and co-founder of the original Accelerator.\n<\/p>\n

\n The fund will invest in 20\u201330 companies annually, with a thematic focus spanning renewable energy, healthtech, robotics, AI infrastructure, biotech, and next-generation materials.\n<\/p>\n

\n Norrsken Evolve\u2019s first ten portfolio companies, announced alongside the fund\u2019s debut, reflect this broad theme:\n<\/p>\n