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Volvo Group Venture Capital

Europe, Vastra Gotaland, Sweden, Gothenburg

Description

Volvo Group Venture Capital (VGVC) serves as the corporate venture capital arm of the Volvo Group, a global leader in manufacturing trucks, buses, construction equipment, and marine and industrial engines. Established in 1997, VGVC plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and exploring new business opportunities that align with Volvo Group's strategic objectives. Its mission is to invest in and collaborate with promising startups that are developing cutting-edge technologies and business models relevant to the future of transportation, infrastructure, and logistics. This long-standing commitment to venture investing underscores Volvo Group's proactive approach to staying at the forefront of industry transformation.

VGVC's investment strategy is deeply rooted in supporting the Volvo Group's core businesses and future strategic areas. The firm primarily targets companies innovating in key sectors such as electromobility, automation, digital services, and new business models within logistics, construction, and infrastructure. Their focus is on technologies that can enhance sustainability, efficiency, and safety across the value chain. By investing in these areas, VGVC aims to accelerate the development and adoption of solutions that can be integrated into Volvo Group's products and services, or that can create entirely new revenue streams.

Typically, Volvo Group Venture Capital engages with early-stage to growth-stage companies, participating in funding rounds from Seed to Series B or C. While specific individual check sizes can vary depending on the stage and strategic importance, their initial investments generally range from $1 million to $10 million. They often co-invest alongside other reputable venture capital firms and strategic partners, leveraging a network of expertise and capital. As of early 2024, VGVC has made over 25 investments, demonstrating a consistent track record of identifying and backing innovative ventures. Their approach is not merely financial; they seek to build long-term partnerships, offering portfolio companies access to Volvo Group's extensive industry knowledge, global network, and operational resources, thereby providing significant strategic value beyond capital.

This strategic investment approach allows Volvo Group Venture Capital to gain early insights into emerging technologies and market trends, while also supporting the growth of companies that can become future partners or suppliers. Their commitment to fostering innovation within the transportation and infrastructure ecosystem positions them as a significant player in the corporate venture capital landscape, driving forward the evolution of sustainable and efficient solutions for the global economy.

Investor Profile

Volvo Group Venture Capital has backed more than 31 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 8 rounds, about 26% of its total and boasts 5 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series Unknown, Series B, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Sweden, Israel.
  • Strong thematic focus on Automotive, Transportation, Autonomous Vehicles.
  • Typical check size: $1M – $10M.

Stage Focus

  • Series Unknown (42%)
  • Series B (26%)
  • Series A (13%)
  • Series C (10%)
  • Series D (3%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (3%)
  • Seed (3%)

Country Focus

  • United States (39%)
  • Sweden (26%)
  • Israel (19%)
  • Canada (13%)
  • Spain (3%)

Industry Focus

  • Automotive
  • Transportation
  • Autonomous Vehicles
  • Software
  • Logistics
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Fleet Management
  • Developer Tools
  • Robotics
  • Machine Learning
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Volvo Group Venture Capital frequently co-invest with?

Band of Angels
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 2
Lockheed Martin Ventures
North America, Maryland, United States, Bethesda
Co-Investments: 2
Birchmere Ventures
North America, Pennsylvania, United States, Pittsburgh
Co-Investments: 2
Nationwide Ventures
North America, Ohio, United States, Columbus
Co-Investments: 3
Canaan Partners
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 2
Sand Hill Angels
North America, California, United States, Mountain View
Co-Investments: 2
UPS Ventures
North America, Georgia, United States, Atlanta
Co-Investments: 2
Denso
North America, Michigan, United States, Southfield
Co-Investments: 2
Midroc New Technology
Europe, Stockholms Lan, Sweden, Solna
Co-Investments: 3
Intel Capital
North America, California, United States, Santa Clara
Co-Investments: 2

Which angels does Volvo Group Venture Capital often collaborate with?

NB
North America, California, United States, Los Angeles
Shared Deals: 1
SB
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
SM
Europe, Catalonia, Spain, Barcelona
Shared Deals: 1
SP
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
HV
North America, Michigan, United States, Hancock
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Volvo Group Venture Capital?

Aifleet

Austin, Texas, United States

aifleet is a tech-first trucking company, using AI to optimize for asset utilization and driver experience

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Fleet ManagementSupply Chain ManagementTransportation
Series BSep 10, 2024
Amount Raised: $16,600,000
Waabi

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Waabi is an artificial intelligence company that develops autonomous driving technology for the transportation sector.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)AutomotiveAutonomous VehiclesMachine Learning
Series BJun 18, 2024
Amount Raised: $200,000,000
Trucksters

Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Trucksters is a freight startup that focuses on offering long-haul transport services using an innovative system of relays.

LogisticsTransportation
Series BJun 12, 2023
Amount Raised: $35,516,332
Foretellix

Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel

Foretellix is enabling the digital transformation of safety-critical automotive verification for large-scale deployment.

AutomotiveAutonomous VehiclesSoftware
Series CMay 2, 2023
Amount Raised: $85,000,000
Waabi

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Waabi is an artificial intelligence company that develops autonomous driving technology for the transportation sector.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)AutomotiveAutonomous VehiclesMachine Learning
Series UnknownJan 18, 2023
Optibus

Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel

Optibus is a developer of an AI-enabled SaaS platform for planning and operating public transportation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Public TransportationSaaS
Series UnknownJul 5, 2022
Aurora

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Aurora is building self-driving technology to operate multiple vehicle types, from freight-hauling trucks to ride-hailing passenger ones.

AutomotiveAutonomous VehiclesElectric VehicleInsurTechTransportation
Post Ipo EquityNov 4, 2021
Amount Raised: $1,800,000,000
Foretellix

Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel

Foretellix is enabling the digital transformation of safety-critical automotive verification for large-scale deployment.

AutomotiveAutonomous VehiclesSoftware
Series BSep 1, 2021
Amount Raised: $32,000,000
Upstream Security

Herzliya, Tel Aviv, Israel

Upstream Security is a cybersecurity company specializing in automotive cybersecurity and connected vehicle protection.

AutomotiveAutonomous VehiclesCyber SecurityNetwork Security
Series CAug 24, 2021
Amount Raised: $26,000,000
FourKites

Chicago, Illinois, United States

FourKites is a supply chain visibility platform designed for transportation into yards, warehouses, and stores.

Enterprise SoftwareLogisticsMachine LearningSoftwareSupply Chain Management
Series DMar 24, 2021
Amount Raised: $100,000,000