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Reflections from the Summa Summit and our 9th Annual Investor Meeting 2025

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4 min read

Each year, Summa brings together its investors, portfolio leaders, advisors, and Summates for two cornerstone events: the Summa Summit and the Annual Investor Meeting (AIM). The Summit explores how global challenges can be turned into resilient investment opportunities, while the Investor Meeting provides a thorough update on Summa’s progress, strategic positioning, and portfolio performance over the past year.

Against the backdrop of the Oslo Opera House, a symbol of innovation and sustainability, we showcased the momentum behind thematic investing and how Summa’s approach continues to deliver both superior returns and impact. Below are the key takeaways from both gatherings.

Uncertainty and the case for anti-fragility

Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Professor Anne Applebaum opened the Summa Summit with a stark assessment. The global outlook, she argued, is more uncertain than it has been in decades. From geopolitical tensions across continents to disinformation campaigns and declining trust in democratic institutions, the world is multipolar, fragile and fragmented. Applebaum reminded the audience that uncertainty is not only cyclical but structural, shaping the context in which businesses and societies must operate.

Kenneth J. Braithwaite, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy and Ambassador to Norway, added that shifting U.S. positions on trade, security, and energy have wide-reaching implications for Europe, reinforcing how geopolitical risk is reshaping the investment landscape.

John McArthur, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, reminded us of that the facts show that we are actually progressing positively on a range of the Sustainable Development Goals, and that this is to a large degree driven by cost-curves that have come down with volume and transitioning to more effective value chains. There are hence strong economic drivers for Summa’s themes.

Turning uncertainty into opportunity, Reynir Indahl, Founder & Managing Partner at Summa, emphasized that for investors, resilience is no longer enough.

Anti-fragility is about more than resilience. It means creating business models that don’t just withstand uncertainty but grow stronger because of it.

Reynir stressed how companies aligned with long-term transitions are better positioned to adapt, while purpose-driven strategies unlock stronger valuations by solving systemic challenges. Their message was clear: thematic investing is not about values. It’s a strategy for lowering risk, boosting returns, and building business models that thrive in uncertainty.

Portfolio highlights: transforming industries from within

The Summa Summit also showcased how these principles are being put into practice across Summa’s portfolio. STIM is a case in point. Aquaculture was identified early as a critical lever for food system transformation. With deep sector expertise and a vision for addressing poor fish health and mortality, Summa became the partner of choice. Today STIM illustrates how long-term thematic investment can unlock growth in industries vital to global resilience.

Another example is NG Nordic, a circularity champion in the Nordic region built through a merger of equals. By combining unique assets and developing complementary recycling strategies across different markets, the company has created an integrated value chain that generates strong synergies and strengthens its position in circular solutions. With strengthened leadership, a renewed brand, and a clear focus on depollution, NG Nordic illustrates how thematic investment can transform an industry from within.

EA Technology reminded us how dependent we are on stable power grids in our everyday lives. By detecting and preventing faults before they happen, their technology makes electricity networks more reliable and helps accelerate the integration of renewables. In doing so, EA Technology supports the energy security and independence agenda, exemplifying the kind of forward-looking company that thrives in uncertainty.

Resilient strategies through sustainability and cybersecurity

A broader theme throughout the two-day event was that sustainability de-risks industries and builds lasting competitive advantage. From circularity to energy transition, discussions emphasized that solutions to global challenges are not only ethical imperatives but also strategic necessities. They cut costs, drive innovation, attract talent, and strengthen financial performance.

Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity were themes in focus. Portfolio leaders from Logpoint and FAST LTA spoke about AI’s dual role as both opportunity and threat, and about the need for stronger defences against growing cyber risks. The Summa Summit also marked the launch of Summa’s latest report, Investing in cybersecurity for a resilient digital future. The report explores how targeted investment in cybersecurity can both safeguard the digital economy and deliver competitive returns.

From geopolitical volatility to technological disruption, today’s challenges are profound. Yet the discussions at this year’s Summa Summit and AIM reinforced a central conviction. By investing through active ownership in companies that solve global challenges, Summa’s portfolio companies continue to shape industries that are not only resilient to uncertainty, but anti-fragile, positioned to thrive in the midst of it.

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