Today, only a sliver of venture capital – typically around 2% or less – goes to female founders, and there is still a lack of women with decision-making power in venture capital firms.
Frøya Ventures aims to change this by increasing the number of female founders, venture capital leaders/partners, as well as board members. Their main investment themes cover healthcare innovations, technologies enabling scalable solutions to key societal challenges, as well as products and solutions to advance a circular economy and a sustainable world. This is a good match with the Stavanger regions Strategy for Economic Development, which includes building and attracting future oriented business and applying new and existing technologies to solve challenges related to restructuring, health, and energy, and at the same time build new industries and create new jobs.
“We chose to invest because the team is exceptionally strong and the concept both interesting and refreshing” states Kari Nessa Nordtun, Mayor of Stavanger. “Stavanger is in transition from an oil capital to an energy capital built on industry, technology, and competence. To succeed, we depend on the efforts and ideas from the entire population, including female entrepreneurs and leaders. We believe Frøya Ventures can play a part in creating new value streams that will help Stavanger build a more diverse economy and become the area with the greatest competitiveness and value creation in the country, while leading the green transition”
Frøya Ventures is grateful for the trust Stavanger Municipality has placed in the company. “The investment in Frøya Ventures is a clear sign of Stavanger Municipality’s commitment to build new business, address societal challenges, and leverage technology for impact” says Camilla Dybendal, Founder and Managing Partner. “By supporting a venture capital firm that prioritizes women-led start-ups, Stavanger Municipality supports the creation of a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem” Åshild Hanne Larsen, Founder and Managing partner adds. “This investment truly showcases Stavanger’s proactive approach to fostering innovation and facilitating Stavanger’s transformation”.
