Six new investments were closed during the fiscal year taking the company’s venture and growth capital portfolio to 18 active companies as of Aug. 31, 2019. With new and follow-on investments, this portfolio doubled its total invested capital.
The venture and growth capital investments are made by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group. Ingka Investments makes minority equity capital infusions in fast-moving, cutting-edge companies that can create synergies for Ingka Group core business and support the company’s retail transformation and ambition to become people and planet positive.
This also allows Ingka Group to broaden the investment landscape and diversify its financial risk and return profile. In FY19, Ingka Investments invested in home renovation and design platform Livspace; recycling companies RetourMatras, Umincorp and NGR; reverse logistics provider Optoro; and small space robotics furniture company Ori.
“We’re engaging with cutting-edge companies that are developing new technologies, solutions and business models that can help accelerate our business transformation and reach our sustainability goals. We’ve invested approximately EUR 200 million in 23 companies to date, as we’re looking to disrupt rather than to be disrupted,” says Krister Mattsson, Managing Director, Ingka Investments, in the Annual Summary & Sustainability Report for FY19, released in January.
Ingka Investments is also stepping up investments and acquisitions in real estate, retail tech, including digital, customer fulfillment, sustainability and a range of services including logistics and delivery services
