We created Summa Equity to solve global challenges

Summa Equity is a thematic investment firm defined by a purpose-driven team that has come together to invest in companies that address some of our global challenges.

We focus on companies in industries supported by megatrends within three themes: Resource Efficiency, Changing Demographics, and Tech-Enabled Transformation. Our investments across the three themes have the potential for long term sustainable outperformance because they address some of the social, environmental, and business challenges we need to solve as a society.

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We created Summa Equity to solve global challenges

Summa Equity is a thematic investment firm defined by a purpose-driven team that has come together to invest in companies that address some of our global challenges.

We focus on companies in industries supported by megatrends within three themes: Resource Efficiency, Changing Demographics, and Tech-Enabled Transformation. Our investments across the three themes have the potential for long term sustainable outperformance because they address some of the social, environmental, and business challenges we need to solve as a society.

Private Equity 4.0

Sustainable Investing.

The private equity industry is evolving. When the 1980s gave birth to the first wave of leveraged buyouts, PE firms created value primarily through financial engineering. This involved the use of high leverage in combination with large equity stakes to motivate managers charged mainly with taking costs out of mature businesses.

Then, in the 1990s, PE 2.0 was focused heavily on increasing operating efficiencies, accomplished often by bringing in proven CEOs from successful public companies. Starting in the 2000s, PE 3.0 saw the building of large financial institutions that continued to function as value-adding buyers, while responding to tough competition from both strategic and financial buyers by expanding into different asset classes and developing new areas of expertise.

Today, in a movement that we call Private Equity 4.0, a growing number of PE firms have been adding to their existing capabilities the effective management of impact on “externalities” and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

 

With our third fund, Summa is scaling up with an extended investment mandate to invest across a more expansive geographical remit and to also invest in primary capital in growth companies. To reflect this growth, Summa has expanded its investment team to the DACH region, Benelux, and the US. We will also focus on both growth and buyout investments within our three themes; Resource Efficiency, Changing Demographics, and Tech-Enabled Transformation.

Summa Equity has turned its ESG principles and practices into a core competence, a source of competitive advantage that has enabled the firm to distinguish itself from its competitors and, in so doing, to bring about significant increases in efficiency and long-run value.

Learn more about Private Equity 4.0 in Journal of Applied Corporate Finance by Reynir Indahl and Hannah Jacobsen

Private Equity 4.0

Sustainable Investing.

The private equity industry is evolving. When the 1980s gave birth to the first wave of leveraged buyouts, PE firms created value primarily through financial engineering. This involved the use of high leverage in combination with large equity stakes to motivate managers charged mainly with taking costs out of mature businesses.

Then, in the 1990s, PE 2.0 was focused heavily on increasing operating efficiencies, accomplished often by bringing in proven CEOs from successful public companies. Starting in the 2000s, PE 3.0 saw the building of large financial institutions that continued to function as value-adding buyers, while responding to tough competition from both strategic and financial buyers by expanding into different asset classes and developing new areas of expertise.

Today, in a movement that we call Private Equity 4.0, a growing number of PE firms have been adding to their existing capabilities the effective management of impact on “externalities” and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

With our third fund, Summa is scaling up with an extended investment mandate to invest across a more expansive geographical remit and to also invest in primary capital in growth companies. To reflect this growth, Summa has expanded its investment team to the DACH region, Benelux, and the US. We will also focus on both growth and buyout investments within our three themes; Resource Efficiency, Changing Demographics, and Tech-Enabled Transformation.

Summa Equity has turned its ESG principles and practices into a core competence, a source of competitive advantage that has enabled the firm to distinguish itself from its competitors and, in so doing, to bring about significant increases in efficiency and long-run value.

Learn more about Private Equity 4.0 in Journal of Applied Corporate Finance by Reynir Indahl and Hannah Jacobsen

 

 

Summa is developing fast

It is encouraging to see increased momentum among companies and investors to join us in solving the challenges that the world is facing. We just closed Fund III with SEK 23 billion (c. EUR 2.3 billion) to invest to solve global challenges. Although it has only been six years after the firm’s inception, and two and five years since we closed Fund I and II with commitments of respectively SEK 4.7 billion (c. EUR 470 million) and SEK 6.8 billion (c. EUR 680 million), there has been a significant development in the investment community. It recognizes that companies that incorporate solutions to ESG challenges, is no longer just a way to minimize risk, but is increasingly seen as a tool to create value. Companies will show stronger growth and returns, and in short, these companies will be more future-proof.

We are honored that Summa has been recognized in our industry, most recently by winning the Best Nordic LBO Fund and Best ESG Private Equity initiatives at the Private Equity Exchange & Awards 2022. We wish to co-create a way of thinking with our portfolio companies and together grow competence around the Sustainable Development Goals, the associated business opportunities, and how to measure impact. We believe this will contribute to stronger long-term strategies, fuel innovation, and create a stronger sense of purpose.

SDG ALIGNED PLATFORM INVESTMENTS

2020
+6
13
2017
7

FUNDS RAISED (SEKbn PER FUND)

Fund 3 (2022)
+389%
23
Fund 2 (2019)
+38%
6.8
Fund 1 (2017)
4.7

Summa is developing fast

It is encouraging to see increased momentum among companies and investors to join us in solving the challenges that the world is facing. We just closed Fund III with SEK 23 billion (c. EUR 2.3 billion) to invest to solve global challenges. Although it has only been six years after the firm’s inception, and two and five years since we closed Fund I and II with commitments of respectively SEK 4.7 billion (c. EUR 470 million) and SEK 6.8 billion (c. EUR 680 million), there has been a significant development in the investment community. It recognizes that companies that incorporate solutions to ESG challenges, is no longer just a way to minimize risk, but is increasingly seen as a tool to create value. Companies will show stronger growth and returns, and in short, these companies will be more future-proof.

FUNDS RAISED (SEKbn PER FUND)

Fund 2 (2019)
+38%
6.5
Fund 1 (2017)
4.7

We are honored that Summa has been recognized in our industry, most recently by winning the Best Nordic LBO Fund and co-winning the Best ESG Private Equity initiatives together with the EQT Group at the Private Equity Exchange & Awards 2021. We wish to co-create a way of thinking with our portfolio companies and together grow competence around the Sustainable Development Goals, the associated business opportunities, and how to measure impact. We believe this will contribute to stronger long-term strategies, fuel innovation, and create a stronger sense of purpose.

Summa Equity at a glance

*From 2020 Portfolio Report.

PORTFOLIO REVENUE (SEKm)

2020
+7%
12.2
2019
11.4
2018
10.2

CUMULATIVE FUNDS DEPLOYED (SEKbn)

2020
+14%
9.0
2019
7.9
2018
5.1

STAFF TURNOVER

2020
7%(4ppt)
2019
3%
2018
4%

NO. OF EMPLOYEES

2021
36
66
2020
30
2019
26
2018
19

PERCENTAGE FEMALE 2021

All employees
49%
Management
50
Board
75%

GHG EMISSIONS (TONS CO2e)

2020
3 481
2019
3 265
2018
2 860

Regulatory

Summa Equity AB is the manager for the alternative investment funds, Summa Equity Fund I, Summa Equity Fund II, and Summa Equity Fund III. Summa Equity AB is registered as an authorized manager of alternative investment funds under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Act (2013:561), the Swedish enactment of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (2011/61/EU), with the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Sw. Finansinspektionen).

For investor complaints, please refer to our external whistleblowing channel: https://report.whistleb.com/en/summaequityexternal

Recognition

Our work has been internationally recognized. We are proud to be recognized in our industry by winning multiple awards in the PE industry on ESG and best Nordic Buyout Fund. The Journal of Applied Corporate Finance published the article «Private Equity 4.0: Using ESG to Grow More Value with Less Risk»

Harvard Business School has a case study on Summa Equity which is taught to the MBA students, where Reynir Indahl, Christian Melby and Hannah Jacobsen also guest lecture. Professor Michael Porter and George Serafeim used Summa Equity in an example in their article “Where ESG Fails” and Summa Equity has been featured in the international media including in the Financial Times. Our mission was given further momentum through our inclusion, along with our portfolio company Norsk Gjenvinning, in Rebecca Henderson’s award-nominated book “Reimagining Capitalism”. 

Summa Equity won two awards at the Private Equity Exchange and Awards 2022

For the third time in a row, Summa Equity won the award for best Nordic LBO fund and Best ESG Private Equity Initiatives. “Winning the best Nordic LBO fund and Best ESG PE Initiatives verifies our investment thesis to deliver future-proofed superior returns while driving ESG/impact outcomes. We wish to co-create a way of thinking…

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Summa Equity receives two awards at the Private Equity Exchange & Awards 2021

Summa Equity (“Summa”) has been honored by the Private Equity Exchange, winning Best Nordic LBO Fund and co-winning Best ESG Private Equity Initiatives together with the EQT Group. “It’s nice to be recognized for the work and efforts put in by the Summa team and our portfolio companies,” said Reynir Indahl, Summa Equity’s Managing Partner….

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Summa Equity is a double winner at Private Equity Exchange Awards 2020

Summa Equity has been honoured by the Private Equity Exchange Awards for the second year in a row, winning both Best ESG Private Equity Initiatives and Best Nordic LBO Fund. The awards, part of the Private Equity Exchange conference, are among the most prestigious in the calendar, with winners decided by more than 80 high-profile…

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Summa wins prize at the Private Equity Awards 2020

We’re pleased to announce that Summa last week was named the Continental Regional Private Equity House of the Year at the Real Deals Private Equity Awards 2020.  The award recognizes the overall achievement of buyout houses focused on a particular region of the Continental market in the calendar year of 2019, reflecting success in fundraising,…

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Updated:

Summa wins prize at the Private Equity Awards 2020

We’re pleased to announce that Summa last week was named the Continental Regional Private Equity House of the Year at the Real Deals Private Equity Awards 2020.  The award recognizes the overall achievement of buyout houses focused on a particular region of the Continental market in the calendar year of 2019, reflecting success in fundraising,...
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Updated:

Summa Equity wins the Best ESG Private Equity Firm Award

27.11.2019, Paris – Today Summa Equity won the Best ESG Private Equity Firm Award at the 10th edition of the Private Equity Exchange & Awards 2019 in Paris. “I am proud of each and every one of our colleagues, and our portfolio companies, for winning this prize. It is great to see that our approach...
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Summa Equity wins ESG Award at the Private Equity Awards 2019

Summa Equity won the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Award at the Private Equity Awards 2019 for incorporating the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) framework in shaping the long-term strategy of its portfolio companies, measuring the effect and innovating to address the global challenges. We are honored to win the Environmental, Social and Governance Award at...
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