Polaris Private Equity
Focused on transforming mid-sized companies with great potential in the Nordics.
Investment strategy
Polaris Private Equity (“PPE”) makes investments in majority equity stakes in Nordic mid-sized companies with sales from EUR 20m and up to 200m. Our investment size ranges from EUR 20m to EUR 50m.
Our aim is to double the size of our companies by making operational and strategic step-changes. We do this in partnership with management teams and board members over a period of four to seven years. We focus on good companies with great potential and believe that the power of partnership can help us reach our objectives. We know our goals are ambitious, and we approach them with both respect, humility and confidence. To ensure our interests are aligned, we invest together with management teams and boards.
Among the many companies within our target size in the Nordic region, we recognize that potential can come in many forms and shapes and you will find that our portfolio companies span across a wide range of industries and constellations. They do however share challenges as Nordic mid-sized companies. We believe these require a locally founded and tailored approach. At Polaris, we have spent +25 years developing our way of working to meet this challenges and help us support the development of our portfolio companies. We call this Polaris Excellence Model.
Our team of dedicated investment professionals bring extensive experience and a strong track record from our more than fifty investments. The investment team is assisted by a shared support team.
A few featured private equity partnerships
Molslinjen
Creating the leading ferry-operator in Denmark
Polaris acquired a share majority in the company from the stock market in 2015 and supported managements growth plans to establish the leading ferry operator in Denmark. At the exit to EQT Infrastructure in 2020, the company had grown from two to nine routes and from three to fifteen vessels through significant investments. At the same time, the company achieved a significant reduction its carbon emission intensity.
ProData
Accelerating growth of owner-led company
Polaris invested in ProData in 2018 together with the founders and management team to accelerate growth and create a clear market leader in the Nordic region. This objective was reached after three years successful development of the company which included three add-on acquisitions and significant organic growth. In 2021, the company was acquired by Axcel who wanted to continue to support the management team in their ambition to become a European market leader.
Louis Poulsen
Creating growth through investments
Polaris acquired the lighting-company Louis Poulsen in 2014 and made significant investments in the company together with the new team. As a result, the performance of the company improved significantly and the company was sold in 2018 to Investindustrial who saw a potential to continue to grow the brand in the next phase of the firms development.
Hamlet Protein
Partnership with founder for global expansion
Hamlet Protein is a global, market-leading provider of high-quality, soy-based animal feed. Polaris partnered with the founder of the company in 2005 to support a succession and create a global market leader through international expansion of sales and production. After having established a global position and doubling the revenues, Altor and Goldman Sachs acquired the company in 2015 to continue to develop the company on the global market.
Our current private equity partnerhips
- All
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Fund IV
- Fund V
- Regional
- Global
- B2B
- B2C
Micropower Group
Leading battery & chargers manufacturer
Sealing System
Scandinavian supplier of full-scope automated packaging and palletizing lines
Cepheo
Nordic supplier of Microsoft Dynamics IT consulting services
ESoft
Global supplier of photos, video, text and marketing solutions for real estate industry
G&O Maritime Group
Global supplier of niche maritime equipment
Contour Design
Designer and manufacturer of ergonomic computer pointing devices
Stronger
Athleisure wear for women
North
Danish provider of independent financial advisory service
Sinful
Northern Europe’s largest e-commerce provider of sextoys
VIKINGBUS
Bus operation services in Denmark
Distriktstandvården
Leading independent private dental chain in Stockholm
Link Logistics
Customized solutions to the Courier Express Parcel market
Futur
Swedish insurance company offering full-service solutions
RelyOn Nutec
International safety training provider
Akademikliniken
Aesthetic treatments
Configit
Business critical software solutions.
Our previous private equity partnerships
Alliance+
Cleaning 5 million square metres of company housing every day.
Year acquired: 2009
Year exited: 2022
Det Danske Madhus
Over 16,000 meals delivered daily to Denmark’s elderly.
Year acquired: 2014
Year exited: 2022
Triax
Innovative high-tech video, audio and data supplier.
Year acquired: 2015
Year exited: 2023
Menu
Affordable luxury brand within furniture lighting and accessories.
Year acquired: 2018
Year exited: 2022
SSG
Nordic damage control services provider
Year acquired: 2019
Year exited: 2022
ProData
IT consultancy focused on business and IT consultants
Year acquired: 2018
Year exited: 2021
Molslinjen
High-speed and ropax ferries connecting Denmark.
Year acquired: 2015
Year exited: 2021
Babysam
A leading Scandinavian baby product omnichannel retailer
Year acquired: 2008
Year exited: 2020
PWT Group
Experts in Danish men’s fashion
Year acquired: 2008
Year exited: 2020
Jetpak
Express Deliveries throughout the Nordic Region
Year acquired: 2005
Year exited: 2019
Scandinavian Track Group
Constructing and maintaining Sweden’s railways
Year acquired: 2011
Year exited: 2019
Louis Poulsen
Exclusive lighting fixtures for a global market
Year acquired: 2014
Year exited: 2018
Twister
A revolutionary floor cleaning method
Year acquired: 2013
Year exited: 2017
HTC
A global leader in floor grinding systems and solutions
Year acquired: 2013
Year exited: 2017
Avanti Wind Systems
Manufacturing safety for the Wind Turbine Industry
Year acquired: 2011
Year exited: 2017
Car-O-Liner
The global pioneer of collision repair solutions
Year acquired: 2012
Year exited: 2016
Connected Wind Services
Nordic No.1 for service and maintenance of wind turbines
Year acquired: 2012
Year exited: 2016
Skånska
Online DIY retailer
Year acquired: 2012
Year exited: 2016
Hamlet protein
Global market leader in soy-based protein solutions for specialty animal feed
Year acquired: 2007
Year exited: 2015
Bergteamet
Mining contractor
Year acquired: 2011
Year exited: 2015
A-tex
Brand identity products
Year acquired: 2012
Year exited: 2015
addpro
Largest supplier of IT infrastructure and security solutions in Sweden.
Year acquired: 2005
Year exited: 2014
Skamol
Largest supplier of insulation materials for aluminium smelters
Year acquired: 2007
Year exited: 2013
Colorprint
Dominant player in the Nordic region within specialised printing
Year acquired: 2006
Year exited: 2012
Fiskar
On-site house construction
Year acquired: 2007
Year exited: 2012
Emotron
Variable speed drive manufacturer
Year acquired: 2007
Year exited: 2011
Pysslingen Skolor
Operation of schools and pre-schools in Sweden
Year acquired: 2009
Year exited: 2011
Frøsunda
Health care services
Year acquired: 2007
Year exited: 2010
Sonion
Global leader in solutions for hearing instruments and advanced acoustics
Year acquired: 2000
Year exited: 2008
Louis poulsen lighting
High-end lighting fixtures
Year acquired: 1999
Year exited: 2007
Logstor
Leading global supplier and manufacturer of piping systems for the energy industry
Year acquired: 1999
Year exited: 2006
Dansk droge
Vitamins, dietary supplements and sports nutrition
Year acquired: 2002
Year exited: 2006
Vest-wood
Manufacturing of wooden doors
Year acquired: 2002
Year exited: 2006
Louis Poulsen el-teknik
Prevailing electrical wholesaler in Denmark
Year acquired: 1999
Year exited: 2005
Novadan
Market leader in cleaning agents, laundry detergents and disinfectants
Year acquired: 2000
Year exited: 2004
Dansommer
Holiday home rental
Year acquired: 2001
Year exited: 2002
Dedicated investment team with significant experience
Investment Team - Polaris Private Equity
Investment support resources
Investment advisory board
