Re-introduction of the Participating Debenture in Sweden
16/01/2006. The new Swedish Companies Act, which entered into effect on January 1st, 2006, includes some noteable new features, a few of which are likely to be of interest for buyout firms investing in Sweden. Of particular interest is the re-introduction into Swedish law of the participating debenture (Sw. kapitalandelslån) which will allow Swedish companies increased flexibility when raising debt.

Nordic private equity is going global
26/10/2005. In recent years Nordic private equity funds have increased their search for investors beyond the Nordic markets, says SJ Berwin, and Nordic LPs are increasingly investing in funds outside the Nordic countries. These two trends have impacted on Nordic market conditions, raised legal issues that arise in an international environment and prompted developments in the permitted allocation of funds.

Further opportunities for Swedish insurance companies to invest in private equity
18/11/2004. As a result of proposed legislative changes to implement EU Directive 2003/41 (on the activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provisions), Swedish Insurance companies will shortly have increased possibilities to invest in private equity as an asset class. This is evident from a governmental committee report that has recently been released (SOU 2004:101). Among other things, says Hamilton & Co., Swedish insurance companies (read life insurance companies) providing occupational pension insurance will be subjected to fewer restrictions when investing restricted capital, which in turn will increase the ability of such companies to invest pension capital into private equity funds.

New opportunities for private equity in Sweden
23/04/2004. Recent changes to the Swedish Priority Rights Act, pursuant to which credits are placed in order of precedence in bankruptcies, may provide the foundation for an entirely new private equity market in Sweden, according to Niclas Högström of Hamilton & Co.

Corpfin monthly review: Scandinavian private equity
22/03/2004. Trade sales and initial public offerings, normally the most lucrative types of exit, have been few and far between in Scandinavia lately. But prospects for 2004 are looking significantly brighter due to improved stock market sentiment, according to the Corpfin Monthly Review.

M&A activity in Scandinavia
03/12/2003. In the last 12 months Scandinavian M&A activity has decreased by 19 per cent in terms of the number of bids made. But total transaction values have increased by six per cent according to a survey conducted by Dealogic.

Swedish limited liability companies as holding companies in international corporate structures
12/11/2003. The Swedish taxation regime has undergone a radical overhaul in the last few years. Jens Baastrup of Hamilton & Co provides an overview of the implications these changes have made.

Sweden's private equity industry
04/06/2003. International investors entering the Swedish venture capital market will recognise many of the features of the region's deal-making process. Yet there are some important differences, as Fredrik von Baumgarten and Sara Bohman of law firm Vinge explain.

Swedish biopharma at large - what next?
19/11/2002. Sweden has a rapidly expanding biotechnology sector that presently ranks fourth in Europe after Germany, UK and France. BioSeeker Group provides a useful update on the subdivision of the sector known as biopharma with a focus on Sweden.

Biotechnology in Sweden
19/08/2002. Sweden has the fourth largest biotechnology industry in Europe, after Germany, the UK and France. It tops the list of industrialised countries in terms of investing the greatest proportion of their gross domestic product in 'knowledge', defined as education, software and research spending. Bioseeker Group looks at the opportunities in this booming sector.

The Nordic life sciences investment opportunity
29/07/2002. The Nordic region is home to approximately 22 per cent of all European entrepreneurial life sciences companies. As a result, there is a substantial need for capital and experienced management teams in the immediate future says Leif Helth Jensen of Danske Life Science.

It may hurt your IRR
18/06/2002. Venture capital funds need to structure their business in accordance with the economic and legal environment in which they operate if they want to protect their IRRs. Failure to do so could affect the returns they distribute to investors. Erica Berthou, Peter Alhanko and Ulf Söderholm of Mannheimer Swartling look in particular at the situation in Sweden.

Sweden: strong and growing
27/03/2002. Sweden's biotechnology industry goes from strength to strength as a result of its hardy venture capital community. Thomas Lindgren of Ernst & Young examines the influences behind Sweden's emergence as one of the most successful biotechnology regions in Europe.

Venture capital in Sweden
18/12/2001. It is widely accepted that venture capital promotes research and understanding into many industries such as biotechnology and technology. As a result, the venture capital market is integral to a nation's economic development. Sweden is no exception to this. This thesis from David Lundborg and Fredrik Cardelius discusses the need to develop a vibrant VC market in Sweden.

Private equity overview - Sweden 2000
14/08/2001. Sweden's private equity market has undergone a period of strong growth over the past few years – the number of investors and the amount of funds raised have both grown significantly. The Swedish market continues to mature as demonstrated by more early-stage investment and more precise industry focus. EVCA details the trends of the last year in this overview.

Venture opportunities in Sweden
12/07/2001. The venture capital market in Sweden is now the third largest in the world, according to this report from the Invest in Sweden Agency. With success stories such as Nokia and Ericsson at centre stage, much has been done to make this transformation possible.

Growth of the venture capital industry in Sweden
12/07/2001. Swedish venture capitalists may have invested over SEK11bn in 1999, but there are still factors restricting the development of the industry, according to Tom Berggren of the Swedish Venture Capital Association.

Nordic wireless start-ups: future drivers, shapers and enablers
26/06/2001. The wireless climate in the Nordic region has evolved substantially since 2000. Wireless start-ups are prospering, demonstrating innovation and determination. Ariad Consulting conducted extensive research into the market and presents a summary here.

Swedish private equity: legal and tax developments
29/05/2001. This report from Baker & McKenzie outlines some of the key legal issues affecting Swedish private equity funds, including the structure of funds, taxation, the stock market and competition laws. It raises some vital areas to pay attention to when conducting due diligence into Swedish private equity firms.

Investors drawn to Silicon Fjords
29/05/2001. Many foreign firms are flocking to the Swedish venture capital arena, including European internet business accelerator GorillaPark. The early-stage wireless sector is looking especially appealing according to this Industry Standard article.