Conor
1 known investors
Conor Venture Partners is an Espoo-based early-stage VC firm backing deep tech companies in the Nordics and Baltics.
Also known as Conor Venture Partners · Conor Venture Partners Oy
Investors · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Conor Venture Partners (conor.vc) is an early-stage technology venture capital firm founded in 2005 and headquartered at Innopoli 2, Tekniikantie 14, Espoo, Finland, with additional offices in Stockholm and London. The firm invests in disruptive technologies across Finland, Scandinavia and the Baltics, concentrating on four areas: information and communications technology (ICT), electronics, embedded systems, and materials and optics. Related interests cited include information security, network architecture, enterprise and wireless software, packaging technologies, microsystems integration, next-generation wireless systems, remote monitoring, industrial systems, measurement devices, emerging materials, semiconductor technology and optical performance enhancements.
The firm reports approximately EUR 70 million of assets under management. Its current fund, Technology Fund II, was raised in 2010 and totals EUR 50 million. Conor is owned and operated by its partners, listed as Chris Barchak, Jari Mieskonen (Managing Partner), Manu Mäkelä (Founding Partner) and Jarkko Penttilä, forming a four-person partner team. Mieskonen previously worked as a founding partner at Eqvitec Partners and as investment director at Sitra; Mäkelä joined from Holtron Ventures, where he was investment director, after earlier roles at Eqvitec.
Disclosed portfolio companies include Aito Technologies, Neo Technology, Imbera Electronics, Supponor Systems, Verto Analytics, Zervant, Crystalsol, Scoopshot and Blackwood Seven. Conor co-led a $13.4 million round for audience-analytics company Verto Analytics alongside Open Ocean Capital and Finnish Industry Investment, and invested EUR 1.5 million in online invoicing and accounting platform Zervant.
Business model
Conor operates as a venture capital fund manager, deploying limited-partner capital from its funds into equity stakes in early-stage technology companies and supporting them through to later financing rounds and exits. Alongside capital it provides advice on business model design, growth support, strategic and operational guidance, network access, and actively seeks opportunities for additional financing rounds. Deals are typically structured as co-investments with other venture capital firms.
As a venture capital fund manager, Conor's economics derive from managing its funds, including Technology Fund II (EUR 50 million, raised 2010), and from returns on equity investments in portfolio companies.
Traction
Assets under management are reported at approximately EUR 70 million. Initial investments typically range from EUR 0.5 million to EUR 1.5 million, with lifetime investment in a single company reaching up to EUR 8 million. Portfolio activity cited includes co-leading a $13.4 million round in Verto Analytics with Open Ocean Capital and Finnish Industry Investment, and a EUR 1.5 million investment in Zervant.
Latest developments
As of March 2023 the firm was reported to be continuing early-stage technology investment in the Nordic region, with recent activity including co-led rounds for Verto Analytics and investment in Zervant, and operations across its Espoo, Stockholm and London offices.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
Described as a leading early-stage technology investor in Finland, Scandinavia and the Baltics, and a significant participant in the Nordic venture capital scene with particular emphasis on deep tech. It is a member of the Nordic Venture Network.
Conor's stated distinguishing characteristics are its focus on deep tech in the Nordic and Baltic regions and sector expertise in embedded systems, electronics, semiconductor technology and new materials, which it uses to provide specialised support to portfolio companies; it targets companies that have reached technical validation but are still early in commercial scaling.
Technology
Investment focus areas span ICT, embedded systems, electronics, semiconductor technology, new materials, and optics, including information security, network architecture, enterprise and wireless software, packaging technologies, microsystems integration, next-generation wireless systems, remote monitoring, industrial systems, measurement devices and optical performance enhancements.
Go-to-market
Deal sourcing is relationship-driven: first dialogue is welcomed by phone or email, and the partners are present at conferences and events, particularly in the Nordics. Founders are also advised to seek introductions through professional networks and industry contacts, and to prepare material covering the technology, market analysis and financial projections.
Founders of early-stage technology companies in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Baltics with unique technology and global ambition, typically businesses that have achieved technical validation but not yet scaled commercially, often ones disrupting existing value chains.
Geography
Headquartered in Espoo, Finland, with offices in Stockholm, Sweden and London, UK. Investment activity spans Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Scandinavia more broadly, and the Baltic region.
History
The firm was founded in 2005 and is owned and operated by its partners. Its second vehicle, Technology Fund II, was raised in 2010 at EUR 50 million, and total assets under management are reported at around EUR 70 million. Over time the firm added offices in Stockholm and London to its Espoo base, and as of March 2023 it was described as continuing to invest actively in the Nordic venture market.
Compiled by commissioned research from 7 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 3
launches, deals, and filingsConor Venture Partners co-led a $13.4 million funding round for audience analytics company Verto Analytics together with Open Ocean Capital and Finnish Industry Investment.
$13.4M source ↗
Online invoicing and accounting platform Zervant raised €1.5 million from Conor Venture Partners.
Conor Venture Partners raised its current fund, Technology Fund II, totalling €50 million.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 7
primary sources listed
- Conor Venture Partners — Nordic Venture Networknordicventurenetwork.com · web
7 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Conor do?
- Conor Venture Partners is an Espoo-based early-stage VC firm backing deep tech companies in the Nordics and Baltics.
- Who are Conor's investors?
- Conor's investors include Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd).