​Successful investment day whets the appetite

At the end of October, Uppsala BIO organised an investor meeting focused on medium-sized companies’ investment needs in order to grow and develop their businesses. Six Uppsala companies as well as investors from Industrifonden (a major Nordic venture capital investor), Impilo, Alvén & Didriksson and Adelis Equity Partner took part.

The background to the meeting is the series of interviews that Uppsala BIO conducted with the management of medium-sized enterprises in Uppsala, where one of the most significant findings was the need for external growth capital to allow expansion and continued business development.

Margaretha Gadnell, responsible for cluster development at Uppsala BIO and who took charge of the meeting, had matched this group of companies with suitable investors.

“These companies need a different type of investment than smaller businesses. Apart from the fact that the sums involved are higher, they need partners who can play a strategic role, who understand the life science industry, and who see their investment as a long-term venture.”

The day began with all the participants giving short presentations of their businesses and what they were looking for. Subsequently, current issues and challenges were discussed. Henrik Geijer of Adelis Equity Partners was pleased with the outcome.

“This is an excellent initiative. It’s very rewarding for investors and companies to meet in this way. We would like to participate in future arrangements.”

Both companies and investors recognised the value of this type of smaller and more focused meeting, which was the first that we have arranged. Margaretha Gadnell summarizes.

“We have received positive feedback from participants. The aim was primarily to get the parties together and I know that one of the companies already has follow-up-meetings booked with a couple of investors.”