Saari Partners launches Saari II, a new 60 million euro fund to invest in Finnish SME service sector companies — Hanna Henell from KPMG joins as a new partner

With Saari II, Saari Partners continues to focus on finding inspired entrepreneurs and great Finnish SME service sector companies that can be developed to industry leaders through digitalization and branding.

”There are fantastic smaller companies in Finland which lack resources for growth,” says Mia Sirkiä, Managing Partner of Saari Partners. “What we are looking for are committed entrepreneurs, who have the passion and desire to grow their companies to the next level,” she adds.

Adding to the team, Hanna Henell, previously at KPMG, will join Saari Partners as a new partner at the start of the second fund.

Hanna has over 15 years of versatile experience from funding and financial operations. ”Saari team’s investment strategy and operations were a perfect match to my values and to my way of working. I am beyond excited to start working with these ambitious companies on their path to success and growth as part of the Saari team”, summarizes Hanna.

”Besides launching a new fund, we are extremely happy to have Hanna join as a new partner, and her deep knowledge of finance and funding operations will be a major asset to the team”, comments Managing Partner Mia Sirkiä.

Tesi, one of the cornerstone investors from Saari’s first fund, is also joining the second fund. “Saari Partners invests in growing Finnish small companies focusing on the service sector. It has gotten a good start and their first exit shows that their investment strategy is showing results. Saari has excellent know-how in digitalization and branding, and this is transferred to their portfolio companies”, comments Tapio Passinen, Investment Director from Tesi.

”The prevailing moment of economic uncertainty is very apparent in the current fund raising environment. We do, wholeheartedly, want to thank both our new and current investors for their trust in us,” the Saari team concludes.

The target size for the new fund is 60 million euros, with 45 million euros of commitments in the first closing. Among the investors joining Saari on this journey are Tesi, Kasvurahastojen Rahasto (KRR), European Investment Fund (EIF), Nordea Life Assurance Finland Ltd, Työeläkevakuutusyhtiö Elo and Konstsamfundet. The fund is open for new commitments throughout 2023.

Krogerus advised Saari Partners on all aspects of the fund formation.

More information:

Mia Sirkiä, Managing Partner

+358 408600240

mia.sirkia@saaripartners.fi

Saari flourishes on the strengths of its community. On capability, experience and commitment. The companies in our portfolio are our partners who will benefit the most from our competence and experience. By providing the required resources and complementing the company’s strengths we serve as pilots over the next critical phase of the company’s growth. Saari creates the framework for strengthening a company and piloting it to the next level of success. For more information: www.saaripartners.fi