Investment in Fronteer Solutions

Investinor

Investinor invests MNOK 3.5 in Oslo based Fronteer Solutions, a fintech startup that offers tech based equity fund management.

Fronteer Solutions recently launched its first equity fund where security selection and risk management is entrusted to a powerful machine. With the help of computing power and advanced mathematics, Fronteer provides smart portfolio solutions based on predetermined investment criteria.

The solution is described as «thousand analysts in a box», but without human psychology coming into play.

​«Our vision is to make smart savings- and investment solutions available to all in a simple and safe way, and at a reasonable price. Fronteer shall be at the forefront of developments in science-based asset management and offer best-of-breed products. With the launch of our first fund, we have taken an important step towards providing our solutions to the retail market», says CEO Atle Christiansen.

Smart and long-term
«Fronteer’s approach is rooted in decades of financial research and contributions from several Nobel Prize-winning economists. Our solution is not, however, to automate short-term trading strategies or to be faster than everyone else. Put simply, we have built a powerful technology to make long-term investments smarter and at a lower risk. You may call it thousand analysts in a box», says Christiansen.

Fronteer’s computing machine has analyzed more than 7,000 stocks across 46 developed and emerging markets. Based on well-known investment criteria, the machine selects the best stocks and combines these in a portfolio. The machine continuously analyzes vast amounts of data to monitor market opportunities and risks.

Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global, the world’s biggest sovereign wealth fond, applies many of the same principles in its asset management.

Experienced team
Fronteer comprises a multi-disciplinary team with background from the start-up success Point Carbon, the Norwegian Government’s Soverign Wealth Fund and academics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

From it’s base at StartupLab in Oslo, the company has caught the attention of reputable and experienced investors. ​Among its owners are Investinor, Founders Fund, Martin Skancke and Åge Korsvold.

Skancke was formerly Director General at the Norwegian Ministry of Finance with responsibility for the development of the Norwegian Petroleum Fund’s strategy. Korsvold, previously CEO of Storebrand, Orkla and Kistefos, is the company’s Chairman.

«The finance industry is in an unprecedented era of digital innovation and disruption. Financial technology is internationally one the hottest growth areas. We believe the market is ripe for the solutions offered by Fronteer. The way that large parts of the asset management industry thinks and acts has not changed much during the last 50 years. We believe in the vision, the technology and the people behind Fronteer. It is exciting that a Norwegian player leads the way and acts as a challenger in this market», says Investment Director Jon Øyvind Eriksen at Investinor.

Fronteer’s first product is a global equity fund aimed at professional investors.

Categories: News

Tags:

New venture capital fund SHIFT Invest launched

Shift Invest

First fund to invest in food & health and clean bio-based technologies. Menzis, Rabobank, Wageningen UR, TU Delft and the World Wildlife Fund have set up a new investment fund: SHIFT Invest. The fund invests in ambitious Dutch companies with innovative technologies or solutions within the themes: agro, food & health, clean and bio-based technologies. SHIFT Invest’s objective is to create an impact on sustainability and health, in addition to a financial return.

SHIFT stands for “Sustainability and Health Impact through Food & agri Transitions”. SHIFT Invest is the follow-up fund of the Dutch Greentech Fund. With the entry of new investor Menzis, the investment domain is broadened to food and health.

SHIFT Invest responds to the increasing attention for new food concepts as a result of increasing under- and overnutrition in developed economies. In addition, the fund focuses on the necessary, sustainable innovations in the traditional agro-food chain and in chemistry through (partial) transition to bio-based raw materials.

Innovation, cooperation and crossovers between sectors form the basis of new sustainable chains and the strengthening of the population’s living capacity. With its strong knowledge base and leading agro, food and chemical industry, the Netherlands has the potential to produce leading innovations.

SHIFT Invest’s investment team and its shareholders actively work with ambitious entrepreneurs on innovations and breakthrough technologies. The fund offers a combination of venture capital, relevant networks and knowledge to accelerate their proven innovation to the market.

SHIFT Invest participates up to several million euros in exchange for a minority interest. In the first few years, convertible loans of up to € 250,000 are also granted to promising early stage companies. In addition to the usual investment criteria, such as the quality of the management and a sound business plan, the fund has impact objectives in the areas of sustainability and health.

“Investing in companies that offer innovative technologies that contribute to people’s health dovetails perfectly with Menzis’ higher goal, which is to provide high-quality care together in order to strengthen the quality of life of every human being,” said Roger van Boxtel, CEO of Menzis.

Bas Rüter, Director of Sustainability at Rabobank: “A reliable, healthy and sustainable food supply is crucial for everyone. Sustainable innovative entrepreneurship is vitally important for this. Rabobank is committed to this together with its customers through contributing knowledge, network and financial solutions”.

“This fund helps start-ups bring innovative, ‘green’ solutions to the market that stimulate healthy food and a sustainable living environment,” says Ruud van den Bulk, head of business development at Wageningen UR.

Paul Althuis, Director Valorisation Center at TU Delft: “Availability of capital and access to the partners’ network for promising early-stage companies with pioneering sustainable technologies contribute to TU Delft’s valorisation objective.

Dylan de Gruijl, WNF press officer: “Conservation of nature is expressly linked to our consumption. Preserving biodiversity depends on our choices and ingenuity to use the earth’s natural resources sparingly. Sustainable innovation by progressive entrepreneurs is indispensable in this respect. SHIFT Invest is an important flywheel for bringing promising ideas and technologies to maturity”.

Categories: News

Tags: