Folmer invests responsibly in Finnish SMEs that have passed the early stages of development, possessing the necessary attributes for unrealized growth potential. The revenue size of a typical investment target is 2–25 MEUR, with an enterprise value of 3–15 MEUR.
Investment criteria of Folmer
- Primarily in majority stakes, co-investments considered case-by-case together with independent investors
- Companies with distinctive competence relative to others in the industry, and a capacity to use the competence in a profitable manner
- The company and the industry have been analyzed, and determined to be favorable
- Companies with an entrepreneurial mindset, with highly skilled and committed staff
Folmer currently manages over 90 MEUR in its two funds.
Folmer’s latest fund, Folmer Equity Fund II Ky, made its first closing during early 2017 at 62 MEUR. The main investors in Folmer Equity Fund II Ky are European Investment Fund, Tesi, KRR II and Finnish institutional investors such as Ilmarinen, Tradeka-invest, OP Insurance, ELO and OP Life Assurance Company. Folmer Management has also invested in the fund.
Folmer’s first fund, Folmer Equity Fund I Ky, was established in 2009 with a final value of 30,7 MEUR. Folmer’s current fund is a majority owner in six target companies, and has made 11 acquisitions. The biggest investors of Folmer Equity Fund I Ky are FoF Growth, Suomi Mutual, VR Pension Fund, Mandatum Life, Bankpension, Sitra, OP Life, Trade Union Pro and Trade Union of Education in Finland.
Folmer Equity Fund II Ky benefits from the support of the European Union under the Equity Facility for Growth established under Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium enterprises (COSME) (2014-2020). Businesses can contact selected financial institutions in their country to access EU financing: www.access2finance.eu.
