Evli Private Capital, a part of Evli Group and specializing in private equity, has made a major investment of five million euros in the Finnish growth company EWQ Zone Oy. This strategic investment is dedicated to the company’s international expansion and development, with an option for an additional investment of five million euros, bringing the total amount to ten million euros. As a result of the investment, Evli will become a significant minority shareholder in EWQ.
The investment will accelerate the development of the company’s services and expansion into the Nordic markets
EWQ has solidified its position as a provider of equipment and services that lower the retail sector’s carbon footprint and costs. The company’s proprietary technology integrates digital price and information displays, queueing solutions, and content management systems within store and service environments. The services are visible in the daily lives of many consumers, for example, in digital price displays in grocery stores and queue management systems in pharmacies.
While the primary focus of the company’s business is on retail, its solutions are versatile and widely applicable across multiple industries, such as financial and insurance services, healthcare, HoReCa and logistics. EWQ’s customer base includes prominent Nordic brands, such as Apoteket, DNA, Elkjøp, ICA, Kesko and SOK.
EWQ has experienced rapid growth in recent years with an impressive average annual growth rate of over 30%. Its turnover is expected to approach 15 million euros in 2024. The company employs more than 30 people in Finland and Sweden.
“Now is the perfect time to ambitiously aim for the top of the Nordic market together with the Evli team. This investment provides us with a strong ownership base and a robust balance sheet, allowing us to accelerate our expansion in the Nordic markets, also through acquisitions. This new investment enables us to elevate our Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings and launch new features and services. At the same time, we help our customers improve their sustainability with our resource-efficient and circular economy-promoting products and services,” says Sampo Brisk, CEO of EWQ.
The role of digitalization in promoting sustainability
Digitalization helps customers optimize store operations, reduce environmental impacts, and respond to market changes as well as consumer expectations. Beneath the digital display visible to consumers, there are many tools that improve the sustainability of client companies, such as optimizing inventory management and reducing waste and paper consumption. Distributing digital content energy-efficiently directly to all necessary locations also saves time and money.
“We deliver high-quality solutions that reduce energy and paper consumption, as well as waste. Our digital tools facilitate pricing, shelving, and e-commerce order picking, increasing staff productivity and job satisfaction. Attractive promotions, smoother queue management, and happier consumers all contribute to increased sales. As a result of these factors, we are strongly supporting our clients in achieving their own sustainability and sales goals,” says Brisk.
The retail sector is a key driver of the global economy and a major employer. In addition, the sector is estimated to account for approximately 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions*. As the demands and expectations for sustainable development rise, the retail sector’s commitment to lower-carbon operations and supply chains as well as the importance of innovation will become increasingly crucial.
“Many large retailers have set clear targets and timetables for reducing emissions. We are part of their value chain, and that’s why it’s important to develop new services to achieve more sustainable operations,” continues Brisk.
Sustainability megatrends create exciting growth opportunities
“We are thrilled that EWQ has been selected as the first investment for our new fund. Strong megatrends support the company’s business and open exciting growth opportunities for an agile and responsible player like EWQ. We believe there is strong demand for solutions that offer multiple benefits to customers, making their stores smarter, more efficient, more environmentally friendly and more appealing to consumers. As active owners, we will support the management in the next phase of the company’s growth journey and in further developing the business,” says Kia Aejmelaeus, Partner at Evli Private Capital.
Evli’s new Evli Private Capital Fund I is dedicated to driving the green transition. The fund makes significant minority investments in Finnish and Swedish small and medium-sized growth companies within energy transformation, resource efficiency, and the circular economy. The private equity team’s previous investments include Proventia, Solnet Green Energy, Bladefence and Elcoline.
* Source: Normative: How retailers can reduce carbon emissions 7/202
For more information:
Sampo Brisk
CEO
EWQ Zone Oy
+358 50 362 9589
sampo@ewq.zone
Kia Aejmelaeus
Partner, Investment Director
Evli Private Capital
+358 40 765 4616
kia.aejmelaeus@evli.com
EWQ Zone Oy
EWQ transforms the consumer experience in store and service environments into a memorable differentiator through digitalization. The company’s proprietary technology seamlessly integrates its device and service solutions, allowing consistent use of product, price, marketing, and queue status information across any digital platform. This enables effortless updates, efficient content management, and valuable analytics utilization. As a result, customers see increases in sales, efficiency, and employee satisfaction while reducing their carbon footprint. EWQ’s customer base includes the largest retail chains in the Nordic countries. A testament to the company’s strong commitment to sustainability is the highest-level Platinum certificate awarded by EcoVadis. The entrepreneur-led growth company employs 30 professionals in Finland and Sweden.
Evli Plc
We see wealth as an engine to drive sustainable progress. We draw on our heritage, broad expertise and Nordic values to grow and manage wealth for institutions, corporations and private persons in a responsible way. We are the best fund house in the Nordics1 and the leading asset manager in Finland2 offering a broad range of services including mutual funds, asset management and capital markets services, alternative investment products, equity research as well as Corporate Finance services. Responsible investing is integrated in every investment decision and our expertise is widely acknowledged by our clients. Evli has Finland’s best expertise in responsible investment3. Evli Group employs around 270 professionals and Evli has a total of EUR 18.7 billion in client assets under management (net 9/2024). Evli Plc’s B shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
1 Morningstar Awards 2024 (c). Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Awarded to Evli for the Best Fund House in Finland and Sweden. Lipper Fund Awards 2023, 2024, the category Small Fund Companies.
2 Kantar Prospera External Asset Management 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Finland. Kantar Prospera Private Banking 2019, 2020 Finland.
3 SFR Scandinavian Financial Research Institutional Investment Services Finland 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022. Kantar Prospera External Asset Management 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024 Finland.
