Northern Light Venture Capital Fund Focus and Geographic Reach

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Northern Light Venture Capital Fund focuses on investing in early-stage tech startups in the Nordic region. They have a strong presence in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, with a deep understanding of the local markets.

Their geographic reach is centered around the Nordic countries, where they have a strong network of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts. This allows them to identify and invest in high-growth potential startups.

Northern Light Venture Capital Fund has a clear strategy in place to support the growth of these startups, providing them with the necessary resources and expertise to scale.

Which Company Stage?

Northern Light Venture Capital tends to invest in companies that are already showing promise, often at the Series A stage. They've made 89 investments at this stage, which is the most among all the stages listed.

Series A investments are typically made after a startup has proven its product-market fit and is looking to scale. This stage is crucial for companies that need additional funding to expand their team, improve their product, and reach a wider audience.

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Credit: pexels.com, Capture the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights illuminating the Lofoten Islands' landscape at night.

At Northern Light Venture Capital, Series B investments come in second with 44 investments. This stage is usually reached after a company has established a strong customer base and is looking to further develop its product or service.

Here's a breakdown of the different stages where Northern Light Venture Capital invests:

Seed investments come in third with 41 investments from Northern Light Venture Capital. This stage is often the first institutional investment a startup receives.

Angel investments and Series C investments are also part of Northern Light Venture Capital's investment portfolio, although they are not as prominent as Series A and Series B investments.

Geographic Presence

Northern Light Venture Capital operates out of offices in Boston and San Francisco, with a presence in both cities.

Their geographic presence is a deliberate choice, allowing them to tap into the unique ecosystems and networks of each location.

Which Countries?

Several countries have a significant presence in the region, with the United States, China, and Japan being the top three players.

Stunning display of the Northern Lights above snowy mountains and ocean in Lofoten, Norway.
Credit: pexels.com, Stunning display of the Northern Lights above snowy mountains and ocean in Lofoten, Norway.

The United States has a strong presence in the region, with a large number of companies operating in the area, including tech giants like Google and Amazon.

China has been increasing its presence in the region, with a growing number of Chinese companies investing in local infrastructure and real estate.

Japan has a long history of involvement in the region, with many Japanese companies having a significant presence in the area.

The region is also home to many other countries, including South Korea, India, and Singapore, which are all playing an increasingly important role in the area.

Countries Firms Operate

Our company operates in over 30 countries worldwide, with a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region, where we have established a significant footprint in countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea.

We have a strong presence in the US and Europe, with operations in key cities such as New York, London, and Paris. Our global reach allows us to serve clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Diverse colleagues collaborative brainstorming at office briefing. Business woman manager explaining analysis at the meeting startup work.
Credit: pexels.com, Diverse colleagues collaborative brainstorming at office briefing. Business woman manager explaining analysis at the meeting startup work.

In addition to our physical presence, we also have a significant online presence, with a strong e-commerce platform that reaches customers in over 100 countries. This allows us to connect with a global audience and provide our products and services to a wider customer base.

Our company has a significant presence in the Middle East and Africa, with operations in countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. We have established strong relationships with local partners and suppliers in these regions.

We have a strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility, and have implemented various initiatives in our operations in countries such as India and Brazil.

IPOs and Acquisitions

Northern Light Venture Capital has had a successful track record of investing in companies that eventually go public. One notable example is Black Sesame Technologies, which went public on August 8, 2024.

The venture capital firm has also invested in several companies that have been acquired by other companies. For instance, Kasa was acquired by another company on April 15, 2023, after receiving a Series A investment of $7.8M in September 2020.

Here's a breakdown of some of the notable IPOs and acquisitions in Northern Light Venture Capital's portfolio:

IPOs & Public Companies

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Northern Light Venture Capital has a portfolio of companies that have gone public through IPOs. Taimei Technology, for example, went public on October 8, 2024.

The first investment in Taimei Technology was made on January 13, 2017, with a Series C round of $14.4 million. Black Sesame Technologies, another company in the portfolio, went public on August 8, 2024.

Black Sesame Technologies received its first investment in November 2016, with an undisclosed amount in a Series A round. Lianlian, however, does not have publicly disclosed information on its first investment or round size.

Cytek Biosciences, a company in the portfolio, went public on July 23, 2021. It received its first investment on September 25, 2018, with an undisclosed amount in a Series C round. Suzhou Connect Biopharmaceuticals, another public company, went public on March 19, 2021.

Suzhou Connect Biopharmaceuticals received its first investment on January 24, 2017, with a Series A round of $20 million. Xynomic Pharma, a company in the portfolio, went public on May 15, 2019.

Credit: youtube.com, Roll-ups, Consolidations and IPOs

Here's a summary of the IPOs and public companies in Northern Light Venture Capital's portfolio:

Acquired

Acquired companies in Northern Light Venture Capital's portfolio are a great example of successful exits. Kasa was acquired on April 15, 2023, after being first invested in on September 25, 2020.

The first round of investment for Kasa was a Series A round worth $7.8M.

Picky was acquired on January 3, 2022, and was first invested in on January 13, 2021, with a seed round worth $1.3M.

Huizuche was acquired on April 2, 2020, and was first invested in on August 4, 2015, with a Series A round worth $10M.

Shape Security was acquired on December 19, 2019, and was first invested in on January 13, 2016, with a Series D round worth $25M.

Tianjin Qingzhi Technology was acquired on November 18, 2019, but the exact date of first investment is listed as May 2017, with a Series A round of undisclosed size.

Here's a breakdown of the acquired companies in Northern Light Venture Capital's portfolio:

Fund History and Team

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Credit: pexels.com, Outdoor group photo of a Vietnamese soccer team in orange uniforms at a park in Hanoi.

Northern Light Venture Capital has a rich fund history with 13 funds under its belt. The firm's first fund, Northern Light Venture Fund II LP, was closed on January 30, 2008, with an undisclosed amount.

The firm's more recent funds have been more transparent, with Northern Light Venture Fund V being closed on March 4, 2019, with a whopping $445 million in funds. This fund is part of the firm's early-stage venture capital focus.

Here are the details of Northern Light Venture Capital's 13 funds, showcasing their growth and evolution over the years:

The firm's commitment to early-stage venture capital is evident in its fund history, with a focus on supporting innovative startups and entrepreneurs.

Fund History

Northern Light Venture Capital has a rich history of fund management, with a total of 13 funds under its belt.

The firm's most recent fund, Northern Light Venture Fund V, closed on March 4, 2019, with a whopping $445M in funding.

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The firm's funds are primarily focused on early-stage venture capital, with a closed status for all 13 funds.

A breakdown of Northern Light Venture Capital's funds shows a mix of fund types and amounts, with some funds having undisclosed amounts due to subscription requirements.

Here's a list of Northern Light Venture Capital's funds, along with their closing dates and amounts:

Northern Light Venture Capital's funds have been backed by multiple sources, with some funds having as few as 1 source and others having up to 10 sources.

Team Profile

The team behind Northern Light Venture Capital is a diverse and international group of professionals. Lei Yang and He Huang are both based in Chaoyang, a district in Beijing.

Lei Yang and He Huang have a wealth of experience in the venture capital industry. They are joined by Figo Zhang, who is based elsewhere.

Ben Yan brings a unique perspective to the team, having spent time in Menlo Park, a city in California known for its tech industry. Fiona Yu is also based in Chaoyang, another district in Beijing.

Here is a summary of the team's locations:

Co-Investment and Partnerships

Credit: youtube.com, Understanding Co-Investment: A Strategic Partnership

Over the past 18-19 years, Northern Light Venture Capital has had the opportunity to co-invest with a significant number of investors in its portfolio companies. This includes a total of 679-678 investors, ranging from funds to angels.

Some notable co-investors include IDG Capital and Kleiner Perkins, who have invested in rounds before Northern Light Venture Capital. In fact, IDG Capital has invested in 5 companies before Northern Light Venture Capital, while Kleiner Perkins has invested in 2.

Northern Light Venture Capital has also had the chance to partner with top investors like New Enterprise Associates, who have co-invested in 5 companies with Northern Light Venture Capital. Additionally, Tencent, Yuanhe Holdings, and Sequoia Capital have all invested in Northern Light Venture Capital's portfolio after their initial investments.

Here are some of the top co-investors of Northern Light Venture Capital:

  • New Enterprise Associates (5 companies)
  • Tencent (8 companies)
  • Yuanhe Holdings (6 companies)
  • Sequoia Capital (5 companies)

Co-Investors

Co-investors play a significant role in the success of Northern Light Venture Capital's portfolio companies. Over the past 19 years, 678 investors have co-invested in these companies, including funds and angels.

Credit: youtube.com, The Future of Co-Investing

IDG Capital, Kleiner Perkins, and 127 others have invested in rounds before Northern Light Venture Capital. This suggests that co-investors often have a strong track record of investing in successful companies.

Northern Light Venture Capital has a strong network of co-investors, with 222 investors entering a company along with them. New Enterprise Associates is one notable example, having co-invested in 5 companies with Northern Light Venture Capital.

Here are some of the top co-investors of Northern Light Venture Capital:

Tencent, Yuanhe Holdings, and Sequoia Capital are among the top investors who have co-invested in Northern Light Venture Capital's portfolio companies after their initial investment. This highlights the importance of building strong relationships with co-investors.

Options

Co-investment and partnerships offer various options for companies to achieve their goals.

Equity-based partnerships involve sharing ownership and decision-making responsibilities, as seen in the 50-50 partnership between company A and company B.

This type of partnership can provide a 50% return on investment for both parties.

Credit: youtube.com, Co-Investments in Private Equity - Everything You Need to Know

Debt-based partnerships involve lending money to a company in exchange for interest payments, such as the $1 million loan from investor C to company D.

In this case, investor C earns a 10% annual return on the loan.

Joint ventures can be structured as a partnership or a corporation, giving companies flexibility in their partnership arrangements.

A joint venture between companies E and F resulted in a 20% increase in sales for both parties.

VMS Announces Cooperation

VMS has formed a strategic cooperation with Northern Light Venture Capital, a leading Chinese venture capital firm.

This partnership will leverage the investment expertise and industry resources from both sides to create long-term and sustainable value for respective parties as well as their portfolio companies.

VMS Chairman & Founder Benny Chong commented that the strategic cooperation is a significant milestone for fostering innovation and creating values in the market.

NLVC is a firm that specializes in early-stage innovation and disruptive technology, founded in 2005.

Credit: youtube.com, From Decks to Partnerships: The Web 3 VC Journey to Strategic Investing

Feng Deng, Founding Managing Partner of NLVC, said they have accumulated profound industry insights and market practices on early-stage investments spanning across technological innovation, healthcare, and new consumer sectors.

VMS has long focused on investing and tapping the internal value of great enterprises, and NLVC is looking forward to collaborating closely with VMS to jointly empower the best-of-breed businesses.

The strategic cooperation will bring business expertise and operational support to the partnership, not just capital infusion.

Notable Companies and Milestones

Northern Light Venture Capital has made its mark in the industry with some impressive IPOs and public companies in its portfolio.

Taimei Technology was the first to go public, listing on October 8, 2024. Black Sesame Technologies followed suit on August 8, 2024.

Lianlian, another portfolio company, went public on March 28, 2024. Interestingly, the exact date of Lianlian's first investment is unknown.

Cytek Biosciences listed on July 23, 2021, after receiving investment in 2018. Suzhou Connect Biopharmaceuticals, meanwhile, went public on March 19, 2021, following its Series A investment in 2017.

Here's a brief rundown of the IPO dates for Northern Light Venture Capital's portfolio companies:

Carole Veum

Junior Writer

Carole Veum is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for financial journalism. Her work has appeared in several notable publications, covering a range of topics including banking and mergers and acquisitions. Veum's articles on the Banks of Kenya provide a comprehensive understanding of the local financial landscape, while her pieces on 2013 Mergers and Acquisitions offer insightful analysis of significant corporate transactions.

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