Is Almi Invest right for your company?

Almi Invest invests in Swedish startups at the pre-seed, seed and early growth stages. We look for companies with scalable business models, strong teams and the potential for international growth. We always invest alongside other investors.

Not every company is suited to venture capital – and that is perfectly fine.

Here you can learn more about what we look for in the companies we invest in and whether this could be the right path for your business.

What we look for

To be considered for investment, a company needs the potential to grow rapidly and establish a strong market position. Typically, this means startups that:

  • Are built for rapid scaling – not just organic growth
  • Have a team capable of executing at pace
  • Solve a clear problem for paying customers
  • Target a large, often international market
  • Are ready to work with active owners and collaborative development

Learn more about how we invest

The team is crucial

At the early stages, we invest as much in the team as we do in the business.

We pay particular attention to the team’s complementary skills, ability to execute and long-term commitment. In many cases, the team is just as important as the business idea itself, as growth requires the ability to adapt and evolve over time.

What types of companies do we invest in?

We invest in startups at an early stage – typically pre-seed, seed or early growth.

To be considered, a company should already have made some progress. This could include a prototype, pilot project or early customer engagement that demonstrates the viability of the idea.

We invest across a broad range of sectors, with a particular focus on Tech, Deep Tech, Industry, Life Science and Sustainability. The deciding factor is not the sector itself, but the company’s ability to scale, the strength of the team and its potential for growth.

When is venture capital not the right fit?

Venture capital is generally not suitable for:

  • Consultancy businesses
  • Local small businesses
  • Standalone business ideas
  • Companies primarily seeking loans

If your main objective is financing to develop or continue running your business, an Almi's business loans may be a more suitable option.

Staplar av silvermynt överlagrade med en suddig stadsbild på natten, fylld med ljuspunkter från byggnader och digitala grafer, symboliserande ekonomi, investeringar och finansmarknader.

What do we mean by investment-ready?

Being investment-ready does not mean being finished – it means being able to demonstrate potential.

You should be able to clearly explain:

  • What problem you solve and for whom
  • How your solution creates value
  • How the business can grow and scale
  • Who is behind the company
  • How the capital will be used to achieve the next milestone

The more clearly you can demonstrate these points, the easier it will be for us to understand the potential of your business.

Have more questions?

Find answers to some of the most common questions about venture capital, the investment process and how we work with startups.

How much capital can Almi Invest invest?

Almi Invest typically invests SEK 1–4 million in an initial funding round, while our GreenTech Fund invests SEK 5–10 million.

We always invest as a minority shareholder and alongside private investors.

Do you invest alone or always alongside other investors?

As a state-owned venture capital company, we are required to invest alongside independent co-investors. We can therefore never invest on our own.

This approach helps us share risk, provide companies with access to more capital, valuable networks and additional expertise.

In this way, we act as a bridge to private venture capital and create stronger conditions for startups to grow and succeed.

Do you invest in solo founders?

No. Almi Invest does not invest in companies led by a single founder. We invest in teams because rapidly growing businesses require multiple people with complementary skills and expertise.

The startups and growth companies we invest in need to build strong organisations quickly. This requires expertise across product development, sales, strategy, fundraising and operational execution — responsibilities that can rarely be carried successfully by one individual alone.

We therefore look for at least two founders, or an early-stage team with clearly defined responsibilities, complementary skills and a long-term commitment to building the company together.

This provides both the company and the investment with stronger foundations for long-term success.

What does the investment process look like step by step?

The process typically includes:

  • Submission of a pitch
  • Initial meeting
  • In-depth analysis
  • Due diligence
  • Investment decision
  • Agreements and execution

After you submit your pitch, we carry out an initial assessment based on our investment criteria.

If the opportunity is relevant, we arrange a first meeting where you present your company and answer more detailed questions. We then conduct an assessment of the team, market, product and traction.

The next stage is due diligence, where we review key documentation and investment prerequisites. At the same time, we discuss the funding round and collaboration with co-investors.

Following due diligence, we move into our investment decision process and agreement negotiations. Once the agreements are finalised, the investment is completed and the company becomes part of the Almi Invest portfolio.

Learn more about our investment process

View all frequently asked questions about venture capital and Almi Invest

Could your company be a good fit for Almi Invest?

If you believe your company fits our investment profile, send us your pitch and tell us more about your journey.

What happens after your pitch?

From initial contact to investment decision, learn how we evaluate companies and what you can expect throughout the process.