
Ericsson
Description
Ericsson Ventures serves as the corporate venture capital arm of Ericsson, the global leader in information and communications technology. Established to foster innovation and strategically align with Ericsson's core business and future direction, the fund primarily invests in early-stage to growth-stage companies. Its investment thesis is deeply rooted in supporting advancements in key technological domains critical to the evolving telecommunications landscape. These areas include 5G infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), enterprise solutions, and other emerging technologies that complement Ericsson's product and service offerings.
The fund actively seeks out startups that demonstrate disruptive potential and offer synergies with Ericsson's extensive global network and customer base. Ericsson Ventures typically participates in funding rounds ranging from Seed to Series C and beyond, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance, market access, and technical expertise. While specific check sizes can vary based on the stage and strategic importance of the investment, their typical first cheques range from approximately $500,000 for early-stage participation to as much as $10 million for more mature, strategically significant opportunities. This flexible approach allows them to engage with a broad spectrum of innovative companies.
Since its inception, Ericsson Ventures has built a diverse portfolio, reflecting its commitment to driving innovation within the ICT sector. As of early 2024, the fund has made over 20 investments in companies across various sub-sectors, including wireless technology, network security, and cloud-native solutions. Notable portfolio companies have included those developing advanced radio access networks (RAN) and secure enterprise connectivity platforms. By investing in these promising ventures, Ericsson Ventures aims to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies, secure future revenue streams, and maintain Ericsson's leadership position in the global digital infrastructure market.
Investor Profile
Ericsson has backed more than 22 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 3 rounds, about 14% of its total and boasts 9 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series B, Series Unknown, Series D rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Sweden, Ireland.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Open Source, Mobile.
- Typical check size: $500K – $10M.
Stage Focus
- Series B (41%)
- Series Unknown (23%)
- Series D (14%)
- Series A (14%)
- Corporate Round (5%)
- Series C (5%)
Country Focus
- United States (86%)
- Sweden (9%)
- Ireland (5%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Open Source
- Mobile
- Big Data
- Cloud Computing
- Internet Of Things
- Analytics
- Developer Apis
- Manufacturing
- Real Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.