Leo Capital expands to Nordics with Helsinki HQ and €25M Fund
Why did Leo Capital choose Helsinki for their Nordic HQ?
Leo Capital, a Singapore-based venture capital firm, established its Nordic headquarters in Helsinki, Finland. The move is marked by the launch of Leo Capital’s first dedicated Nordic fund, the €25 million Europe Fund I, which has Business Finland Venture Capital as its anchor investor, alongside other international backers. This expansion highlights Leo Capital’s commitment to supporting early-stage B2B SaaS startups across Europe.
Why Leo Capital chose the Nordics for its expansion
Founded in 2018, Leo Capital has established itself as a trailblazer in early-stage B2B SaaS investments across India and Southeast Asia. Now, this renowned venture capital firm is making waves in Finland, drawn to Helsinki’s booming tech ecosystem, robust government support, and warm welcome for international investors.
“The Nordics stood out to us because of its openness to new players. Founders here are building global businesses from day one,” says Shwetank Verma, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Leo Capital. A proud alumnus of Helsinki Partners’ 90 Day Finn Program, Verma credits the initiative for smoothing Leo Capital’s entry into Finland.
Why Finland? Talent, unicorns, and global connections
Ranked as a top performer in the Talent Competitiveness Index, Finland boasts a dynamic tech community, cementing its status as Europe’s fastest-growing unicorn factory. For Leo Capital, this thriving ecosystem aligns perfectly with their India Advantage strategy—leveraging world-class Indian tech talent to help startups scale globally.
“For us, Finland is exciting because it mirrors what we know in Singapore—dynamic markets with a combination of government support, talent, and entrepreneurial zeal.”
-Shwetank
Leo Capital Co-founder and Managing Partner
A €25M Europe Fund I to support Nordic startups
Leo Capital’s €25 million Europe Fund I focuses on backing resilient and ambitious founding teams across the Nordics. The fund offers more than financial investment; it provides hands-on expertise in areas like talent acquisition and market entry. With Business Finland Venture Capital anchoring the fund, the Finnish government reinforces the value of international investments in scaling local innovation.
Leo Capital’s commitment deepens with the late-2024 launch of the LEAP Program, which equips startups to refine strategies, scale globally, and unlock their full potential. Finnish startups like Eiffels.AI and CloEE are among the first beneficiaries of this transformative initiative.
How Helsinki Partners enabled a seamless launch
Leo Capital’s Finnish journey owes much to Helsinki Partners and their 90 Day Finn Program. Over three months, Verma and his team gained invaluable insights and built connections across the ecosystem.
“Helsinki Partners has been like having a local team member from day one. Their support—from setting up bank accounts to making the right introductions—has been invaluable. Without their help, we probably wouldn’t be in Finland.”
-Shwetank
Leo Capital Co-founder and Managing Partner
Henry Goodwin, Partner at Leo Capital, echoes this sentiment: “Helsinki Partners’ global perspective and proactive approach are game changers in an evolving talent and business landscape.”
Building Strong Foundations with Helsinki Partners
Leo Capital’s successful entry into Finland owes much to the support of Helsinki Partners and their 90 Day Finn program. The initiative allowed Verma and his team to spend three months in Finland, gaining critical insights and forging connections in the local ecosystem.
Henry Goodwin, Partner at Leo Capital, also praised Helsinki Partners’ global outlook: “Their proactive approach and focus on international outreach are critical, especially as the world and the talent landscape evolve”.
A Bright future in the Nordics
Leo Capital’s expansion to the Nordics underscores the region’s potential to craft global success stories. Through initiatives like the Europe Fund I and LEAP, Leo Capital is poised to elevate Finnish startups onto the global stage.
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Learn more about their mission and pitch your startup on their official website.