SmartCap invests in Nordic Science Investments

Ellex in Estonia advised SmartCap Venture Capital Fund on a €3 million investment in Nordic Science Investments I (NSI).

NSI is an early-stage VC fund bridging the gap between academia and business by investing in science-based startups that tackle global challenges. The fund is also backed by Finland’s state-owned investment company Tesi.

NSI focuses on science-based startups and university spinouts in the New Nordics, working closely with more than 12 leading regional universities, including Estonia’s top universities.

NSI focuses on deeptech, health tech, and life sciences. At the forefront of new innovation categories including healthy aging, techbio, semiconductors, advanced materials, and intelligent systems.

“Technology transfer is one of the key tools we have to move valuable research and scientific discoveries out of academia and develop it into real-world benefits with economic and societal impact,” said Sille Pettai, Managing Director at SmartCap. “By investing in Nordic Science Investments, we are helping to build a more structured pathway from Estonian and Nordic universities to globally competitive companies and ensuring that breakthrough ideas don’t stay in the lab but reach the market in the form of new products, services, and high-value jobs.”

SmartCap was advised by Ellex Partner Antti Perli.