About LU Ventures
LU Ventures is the venture-building arm of Lund University: We help researchers build and finance spin-outs — translating research into practice to create global impact.
What is LU Ventures?
Together with LU Innovation, we constitute Lund University’s innovation system. LU Ventures AB is the university's holding company and dedicated venture builder. Every year, we help build a number of spin-outs alongside researchers to transform discoveries into new products and services. By validating the idea, building the team, laying the corporate foundations, and providing equity, we de-risk early stages and accelerate the journey to market. To date, our comprehensive support has helped over 150 startups grow, which together have attracted more than 14 billion SEK in venture capital.
LU Ventures in Facts and Figures
| Founded | 1994 (first investment in 1999) |
|---|---|
| Ownership Structure | Owned by the Swedish state, managed by Lund University |
| Investment Model | Evergreen model (all profits are reinvested) |
| Total Equity | > 135 MSEK |
| Focus Area | Innovations solving global challenges |
| Source of Innovation | Primarily the Faculty of Engineering (LTH), the Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Science at Lund University. |
| Companies since inception | +150 |
| Investment Pace | 6–10 new companies per year |
| Portfolio Companies | ∽60 |
A Unique Pipeline of Deep Tech and Life Science
For external investors, LU Ventures serves as a bridge to one of Europe's most research-intensive universities. We quality-assure and co-invest in the growth companies of tomorrow.
"We would gladly invest in an LU Ventures company again. The companies that LU Ventures build are well-structured, have good governance, and are thoroughly evaluated." — Jan Erik Smith, Gobia Enterprises
How We Work
We are not a traditional pre-seed investor but rather act as Venture builder. This means our commitment extends beyond merely providing capital. We typically begin our collaboration early in the ideation stage, before a company is even incorporated.
Together with LU Innovation, we guide research projects through the Business Track. Our role is to act as a strategic co-founder: we help validate the business concept, establish the proper corporate structure and governance, attract external capital, and build the initial team and board. Following incorporation, we continue to support the company’s development over time through board engagement, follow-on investments, and access to our network.
Investors & Partners
Would you like to know more about current investment opportunities or ways to get involved in one of our portfolio companies?
- Dealflow & Portfolio Inquiries (Life Science): Contact Eddie Thordarson via email at eddie [dot] thordarson [at] innovation [dot] lu [dot] se or phone at +46 70 874 99 02.
- Dealflow & Portfolio Inquiries (Tech): Contact Rickard Sjöström via email at rickard [dot] sjostrom [at] innovation [dot] lu [dot] se or phone at +46 76 842 03 95.
- Partnership Inquiries: Contact CEO Christine Widstrand via christine [dot] widstrand [at] innovation [dot] lu [dot] se or phone at +46 70 928 63 78.
Researchers & Innovators
Do you have a research-based idea you want to commercialize? LU Ventures evaluates ideas for Business Track on an ongoing basis.
First step:
- Do you have an ongoing project with LU Innovation? Talk to your innovation developer to discuss Business Track. Don’t have a project yet? Contact LU Innovation to get started.
Questions about LU Ventures?
- Are you a researcher in the life sciences? Contact Eddie Thordarson by email eddie [dot] thordarson [at] innovation [dot] lu [dot] se (eddie[dot]thordarson[at]innovation[dot]lu[dot]se) or by phone at +46 70 874 99 02.
- Are you conducting research in engineering or the natural sciences? Contact Rickard Sjöström by email rickard [dot] sjostrom [at] innovation [dot] lu [dot] se (rickard[dot]sjostrom[at]innovation[dot]lu[dot]se) or by phone at +46 76 842 03 95.
Governance and Transparency
Here you will find information about our organization, the people leading our work, and the regulatory frameworks under which we operate.
Visit Us
Visiting Address: LU Ventures AB, Medicon Village, Scheeletorget 1, Lund
Saga Diagnostics Acquired by Roche (Foundation Medicine) for up to 595 Million USD
LU Ventures’ portfolio company SAGA Diagnostics has been acquired by Roche (Foundation Medicine). Read more about the transaction in the press release from Foundation Medicine.
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