Carlson Investments

Carlson Investments SE has established itself as a distinctive player in the venture capital landscape since its founding in 2003. Unlike traditional VCs with fixed investment timeframes, this Warsaw Stock Exchange-listed entity operates without time constraints, allowing for strategic long-term positions in portfolio companies. The firm has expanded its market presence significantly, with listings on multiple European exchanges including Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Munich, as well as the Gettex platform. This multi-exchange approach provides exceptional liquidity options for investors of all sizes, democratizing access to venture capital opportunities across Europe, North America, and Asia, with particular emphasis on the emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe.

The investment strategy of Carlson focuses primarily on technological innovation, targeting companies demonstrating clear product or process breakthroughs. Their portfolio, now exceeding 40 promising startups, concentrates on three key sectors: financial technology, medical innovations, and deep technology ventures. This specialized focus allows Carlson to leverage sector-specific expertise while maintaining a diversified approach to risk management. The firm's core investment objective stands out in the venture capital world—providing liquid access to traditionally illiquid venture investments, creating a bridge between public market liquidity and private market growth potential.

Carlson employs a dual investment approach, making direct investments while also operating through its subsidiary AIF Carlson Investments. This structure provides flexibility in deal structuring while ensuring regulatory compliance, as both entities operate under the authorization and regulation of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) and/or German BaFin. The regulatory oversight adds an important layer of investor protection uncommon in many venture capital operations. Since its IPO on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2009, Carlson has progressively expanded its market access, with strategic dual listings across German exchanges between 2021 and 2022, trading under the symbols CAI (WSE) and 2HB (German exchanges).

What distinguishes Carlson in the competitive venture capital marketplace is its hybrid model combining traditional VC investment principles with public market accessibility. This approach addresses a fundamental challenge in venture investing—the typical illiquidity and lengthy commitment periods that often deter smaller investors. By creating pathways for entry and exit through established securities exchanges, Carlson has effectively opened venture capital participation to a broader investor base. The firm's continued expansion across European exchanges signals its commitment to increasing market penetration while maintaining its focus on technological innovation across its target sectors, positioning it uniquely at the intersection of public and private investment markets.