
Northzone
Description
Northzone is a prominent multi-stage venture capital firm with a long-standing presence in the European and North American tech ecosystems. Established in 1996, the firm has built a reputation for backing disruptive technology companies from their early stages through to global leadership. With offices strategically located in London, Stockholm, New York, Berlin, and Oslo, Northzone maintains a strong international footprint, enabling it to source and support ambitious founders across diverse markets.
The firm's investment thesis centers on identifying visionary entrepreneurs who are building category-defining businesses with significant market potential. Northzone is sector-agnostic but has a strong track record in areas such as fintech, healthtech, SaaS, consumer internet, marketplaces, and deep tech. They are known for their hands-on approach, providing strategic guidance and operational support to help portfolio companies navigate growth challenges and scale effectively.
Northzone demonstrates substantial capital deployment capacity, evidenced by the closing of its latest fund, Northzone XI, at an impressive €1 billion in 2022. This significant capital pool allows them to make substantial initial investments and provide follow-on funding across multiple rounds, supporting companies throughout their lifecycle. Their commitment to long-term partnerships is a cornerstone of their investment philosophy.
Over its decades of operation, Northzone has cultivated a robust portfolio of successful companies, many of which have achieved unicorn status or significant exits. Notable investments include global brands like Spotify, the music streaming giant; Klarna, a leading fintech innovator; Trustpilot, a prominent review platform; and Personio, a rapidly growing HR software provider. These successes underscore Northzone's ability to identify and nurture companies that fundamentally change industries and achieve global scale.
Investor Profile
Northzone has backed more than 321 startups, with 23 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 134 rounds, about 42% of its total and boasts 47 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Sweden, United Kingdom.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, FinTech, Financial Services.
- Led 12 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $1M – $20M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (30%)
- Series B (20%)
- Seed (16%)
- Series Unknown (13%)
- Series C (9%)
- Series D (3%)
- Series E (2%)
- Pre Seed (2%)
- Secondary Market (1%)
- Private Equity (1%)
Country Focus
- United States (23%)
- Sweden (21%)
- United Kingdom (19%)
- Germany (11%)
- Norway (8%)
- Denmark (5%)
- Spain (3%)
- France (3%)
- The Netherlands (2%)
- Finland (2%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Fintech
- Financial Services
- E-commerce
- Information Technology
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Finance
- Apps
- Mobile
- Saas
Frequently Asked Questions
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