Investments at an early stage
LiU Invest invests in companies built on projects and ideas derived from Linköping University. Our focus is investing at an early stage, either we work as a single investor or we co-invest with others. The investments range between a few hundred thousand and up to a couple of million SEK, where LiU Invest will contribute between a quarter and a million SEK.
Investment Philosophy
LiU Invest invests in companies oriented toward commercializing ideas and results connected to Linköping University. This means we contribute to innovative companies in ways that bring added values to the University as well as in strengthening the attractiveness of the region.
LiU Invest is a public actor working at a very early stage, where access to capital may often be limited. For every investment, the expected return on investment is assessed, according to LiU Invests yield demand. The return demand is based on the investment capital contributed. The investment horizon is three to seven years, meaning there should be a reasonable chance for LiU Invest to make an exit within three to seven years, although certain investments may have a longer scope.
Our Process
LiU Invest normally invests up to 500,000 SEK in a first investment round and may add another investment of equal size in another round. The investment is offered as an issue of shares. When new investors are added, LiU Invest will in some cases make additional investments in order to keep a corresponding level of ownership.
It is desirable, but not a requirement, that other parties co-invest in the company in cooperation with and on equal conditions as LiU Invest. These other parties may be founders of the company, private investors or angel investors, as well as public venture capital.
Should the investor be a private individual, LiU Invest offers to take care of legal and administrative issues concerning the investment process. This makes it easier for a private individual or an angel investor to make a smaller investment at early stages.
The investment process is simple and as follows:
- The company gets in touch with LiU Invest, and during the first meetings the company, with support from LiU Invest, works out an investment offer (which should contain a description of the company, company valuation, and a plan for what the investment is meant to be used for.)
- The offer is presented to LiU Invest’s investment committee which will either accept or decline the offer.
- In case the committee accepts the offer, a formal decision is then taken by the LiU Invest AB board.
The presentation for the LiU Invest investment committee should be around 20 minutes long and contain the content usually found in an investment pitch.
Contact
LiU Invest
LiU Invest is a unit within LiU Holding AB owned by Linköping University. An important part of LiU Holding’s mission is to make investments in research-related companies at an early stage. It takes place through LiU Invest
Useful knowledge
Liu Invest has a close collaboration with other operations within LiU Holding AB.
- LEAD
- Unitalent
- Spetsa
Postal and visiting address
Mjärdevi Center
Teknikringen 7, plan 3
583 30 Linköping