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Creandum

Leading European early-stage venture capital firm
Creandum
Leadership team

Johan Brenner (Founder)

Staffan Helgesson (Founder)

Daniel Blomquist (Founder)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Stockholm, Sweden
Established
2003
Social Media
Summary

Creandum is a venture capital firm that invests in innovative startups across various industries, including fintech, health tech, and software. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with additional offices in Helsinki, Oslo, and Berlin. Creandum has a strong track record of supporting startups and helping them achieve success through its investments, strategic guidance, and network of industry contacts. 

The company's portfolio includes a diverse range of companies that are leveraging technology to solve significant problems and create value for society. Creandum is committed to supporting entrepreneurship and creating value for all its stakeholders, including its investors, portfolio companies, and society as a whole.

History

Creandum is a leading venture capital firm based in Stockholm, Sweden. The company was founded in 2003 by Johan Brenner, Staffan Helgesson, and Daniel Blomquist. The three founders had previously worked together at the Swedish technology company, TradeDoubler.

Creandum was established with the aim of providing funding and support for innovative startups in the Nordic region. The company quickly gained a reputation for being one of the most active investors in the region, with a portfolio of companies that included some of the most successful startups in the region.

In 2008, Creandum raised its first fund of €75 million, which was focused on early-stage investments in Nordic startups. The company's portfolio at the time included companies such as Spotify, iZettle, and Tictail. The success of these companies helped to establish Creandum as one of the leading venture capital firms in the Nordic region.

Over the years, Creandum has continued to invest in innovative startups across various industries, including fintech, health tech, and consumer technology. The company has also expanded its operations beyond the Nordic region and has invested in startups in other parts of Europe, as well as in the United States.

In 2018, Creandum raised its fifth fund, which had a size of €265 million. The fund was focused on investing in early-stage startups in Europe and the United States. The company has continued to support its portfolio companies and has helped them to achieve significant growth and success.

Today, Creandum is considered one of the leading venture capital firms in Europe, with a portfolio that includes companies such as Klarna, depop, and Neo4j. The company continues to support and invest in innovative startups that have the potential to disrupt industries and create value for society.

Investment criteria

Creandum specializes in early-stage investments in innovative startups. The company has a well-defined set of investment criteria to evaluate potential investments. Here are some of the key factors that Creandum considers when deciding whether to invest in a startup:

  • Team: Creandum believes that the team is the most critical factor in determining the success of a startup. The company looks for teams with diverse backgrounds and skills, as well as a track record of working well together. Creandum also evaluates the team's ability to execute its vision and adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Market: Creandum looks for startups that are targeting large and growing markets with significant potential for disruption. The company also evaluates the competitive landscape and the startup's ability to differentiate itself from its competitors.
  • Technology: Creandum invests in startups that are leveraging technology to solve significant problems in innovative ways. The company looks for startups with unique and defensible technology that can provide a competitive advantage in the market.
  • Business model: Creandum evaluates startups' business models and looks for those with a clear path to revenue and profitability. The company also looks for startups with scalable business models that can achieve significant growth.
  • Traction: Creandum looks for startups that have achieved significant traction, such as user growth, revenue growth, or customer acquisition. The company evaluates startups' metrics and looks for those that show strong momentum and a clear path to continued growth.
  • Fit: Finally, Creandum looks for startups that are a good fit for the company's investment philosophy and expertise. The company has a strong track record of investing in certain industries, such as fintech and health-tech, and looks for startups that align with its areas of expertise.

Overall, Creandum's investment criteria reflect the company's focus on investing in innovative startups with significant potential for growth and disruption. By evaluating startups based on these criteria, Creandum aims to identify and invest in the most promising startups and help them achieve success.

Values

Entrepreneurship: Creandum believes that entrepreneurship is essential for driving innovation and creating value in society. The company values the entrepreneurial spirit and looks for startups that share this value.

  • Diversity and Inclusion: Creandum believes that diversity and inclusion are essential for building successful startups and creating a better society. The company values diversity in all its forms and works to create an inclusive culture that welcomes people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
  • Integrity: Creandum believes in acting with integrity and honesty in all its dealings. The company values transparency and accountability and seeks to build trust with its partners and portfolio companies.
  • Partnership: Creandum believes in building strong partnerships with its portfolio companies and working collaboratively to achieve success. The company values open communication and constructive feedback and seeks to create a supportive environment for its portfolio companies.
  • Learning and Growth: Creandum believes in continuous learning and growth and values curiosity and a willingness to experiment. The company seeks to create an environment where its employees and portfolio companies can learn and grow and develop new skills and capabilities.
  • Impact: Finally, Creandum believes in creating a positive impact in society and values startups that have the potential to make a meaningful difference. The company seeks to support startups that address significant societal challenges and have the potential to create value for society.
Mission

"Our mission is to partner with exceptional entrepreneurs and help them build market-leading companies. We invest in teams with bold ideas and disruptive technology, focusing on sectors where we have deep expertise and a strong track record. We work closely with our portfolio companies, providing them with the capital, support, and resources they need to achieve their goals. Our mission is to create value for our investors, our portfolio companies, and society as a whole."

Creandum's mission statement reflects its focus on supporting entrepreneurship and building strong partnerships with its portfolio companies. The company aims to identify startups with innovative ideas and disruptive technology and provide them with the resources they need to achieve success. Creandum also emphasizes its commitment to creating value for its investors and society as a whole, underscoring its belief in the power of entrepreneurship to drive innovation and create positive change. Overall, Creandum's mission statement reflects its commitment to supporting startups and creating value for all its stakeholders.

Portfolio

Creandum is a venture capital firm that has a strong track record of investing in innovative startups across various industries, including fintech, health tech, and software. The company's portfolio includes a diverse range of startups that are leveraging technology to solve significant problems and create value for society. Here are a few examples of companies in Creandum's portfolio:

  • Klarna: Klarna is a fintech company that provides a range of payment and financing solutions for online shoppers and retailers. The company's platform allows users to shop online and pay later or in instalments, providing flexibility and convenience. Creandum was an early investor in Klarna and has supported the company's growth as it has expanded into new markets and developed new products.
  • Wolt: Wolt is a food delivery platform that connects consumers with local restaurants and cafes. The company's platform uses advanced algorithms to optimize delivery routes and provide a seamless user experience. Creandum was an early investor in Wolt and has supported the company's growth as it has expanded into new markets and developed new products.
  • Tink: Tink is a fintech company that provides an open banking platform for banks and financial institutions. The company's platform allows users to access financial data and services from multiple providers in one place, providing convenience and transparency. Creandum was an early investor in Tink and has supported the company's growth as it has expanded into new markets and developed new products.
  • Kahoot!: Kahoot! is an educational technology company that provides a gamified learning platform for students and teachers. The company's platform allows users to create and participate in interactive quizzes and games, making learning fun and engaging. Creandum was an early investor in Kahoot! and has supported the company's growth as it has expanded into new markets and developed new products.
  • Minna Technologies: Minna Technologies is a fintech company that provides subscription management services for banks and financial institutions. The company's platform allows users to manage their subscriptions and recurring payments in one place, providing convenience and control. Creandum was an early investor in Minna Technologies and has supported the company's growth as it has expanded into new markets and developed new products.

Overall, Creandum's portfolio reflects its focus on investing in innovative startups with significant potential for growth and disruption. By supporting these companies and helping them achieve success, Creandum aims to create value for its investors, portfolio companies, and society as a whole.

References
Creandum
Leadership team

Johan Brenner (Founder)

Staffan Helgesson (Founder)

Daniel Blomquist (Founder)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Stockholm, Sweden
Established
2003
Social Media