Our funds only invest in two percent of the companies who apply for private equity funding. Needless to say, the selection process is thorough, which ensures only the best companies are selected to become part of our funds’ portfolio.
The rapid growth and success of portfolio companies contributes to generating value for investors, companies, employees, consumers, society, governments and the Nordic region.
We have interviewed some "Argentum companies" to hear exactly what private equity investors have added to their businesses and how it has helped them on their way to success. A success story, to us, occurs when a company manages to attract one or several private equity fund managers and obtain funding.
Suksesshistorier (in Norwegian)
Aarbakke Group
(2009-07-20 11:44)
When the entrepreneur and CEO of Aarbakke Group AS presented the forecast for the predicted turnover in 2009, most people thought he bit of more than he could chew. Today Inge Brigt Aarbakke has happily swallowed his mouthful. The company has grown into a market leader and total supplier in mechanical manufacturing for the international oil industry. - Our customers are buying just as much no...
Appear TV
(2011-10-21 01:48)
Appear TV was established by former Tandberg Television employees. The company produces equipment that enables operators to deliver professional broadcast services to millions of users around the globe. Appear TV was founded in 2006 and is based in Oslo. The company produces equipment that transmits television signals to households across the world. Appear TV’s equipment uses much less...
BecoTek
(2009-07-16 10:52)
BecoTek was founded in 1948 in Kongsfoss, Norway. Initially, the company was a small family business producing sand-casting of bronze-alloys. A scarce three years after Norvestor invested in the family business and active ownership and risk capital has made way for phenomenal expansion, and the company now has establishments in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Romania, USA and China. Today BekoTek is a...
Biosergen
(2009-07-16 11:40)
Biotech Company Biosergen discovered the formula for a new type of antibiotics. Now their research team is now trying to develop a new medicine for cancer – from a sponge type found in the fjords of Trondheim. It all started when the Russian scientist Sergey B. Zotchev at the NTNU presented entirely new information about a bacterium that produces nystatin – a compound that can be used in...
Climatewell
(2008-06-04 03:12)
Sunshine to cool down ClimateWell has developed a unique technology that uses thermal energy from the sun for air conditioning. The technology is based on the fact that energy can be stored in salt, and later mixed with wather. Energy is charged when it is availiable and stored to use when required. Almost a third of the world's carbon dioxide emissions derive from the heating and cooling...
Cubility
(2009-02-02 02:00)
Founders of the technology company Cubility had a new and revolutionizing idea. The combination of this ground-breaking idea and active ownership resulted in the patented MudCube system, which is now to be launched in the offshore market. The Sandnes-based company has developed a new system that makes it possible to treat drilling fluids in much more an environmentally friendly and efficient...
Curato
(2009-07-16 11:48)
Curato first saw the light of day in the summer of 2007. Only a year and a half later, it has become the Nordic region’s largest company within the picture diagnostics sector generating revenues of NOK 500 million. Curato has experienced an tremendous growth as a direct result of the extensive experience of its’ founders combined with the financial muscles of private equity fund CapMan Buyout...
Dekk1
(2009-07-20 01:48)
Dekk1’s goal was to have 50 stores all across the country. With 30 new stores and five new franchises since September 2008, the company looks to be right in target. Norway’s largest independent tire chain received investment from private equity fund Borea in September 2008. The company has ever since opened new stores all across the country at a record pace. - We have been able to properly...
Ecowat
(2009-11-04 03:51)
The SINTEF spin-off, Ecowat, has found the solution to one of the world’s biggest challenges: clean water. Their technology turns dirty water ultra pure in an environmentally friendly way. With the help of private equity the new technology is set to be launched in 2010. The entrepreneurs behind Ecowat were wondering what would happen if an oil company contacted them with regard to the...
Elixia
(2009-01-01 01:30)
ELXIA has grown from an entrepreneurial venture to a leading health studio chain in less than 10 years through a series of strategic mergers. In 2010 the chain had four million members wanting to participate in the more than 150 000 group sessions they held across Norway, Sweden and Finland. ELIXIA could also pop the champagne in celebration of opening their 47th health studio. The powerful...
Funcom
(2008-06-04 02:04)
Funcom has been developing games for almost 20 years. Through active ownership they have been given the chance to prove themselves in the international market. In 2008, the game Age of Conan was the third most sold PC game in the western world. The company was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, and whole communities of gamers are now waiting in excitement for the company’s next big product...
Industriverktøy
(2009-07-16 01:04)
The family-owned Industriverktøy AS has since its inception in 1961, developed into one of Norway’s leading companies within technically advanced precision molding of plastic. After the change of ownership in 2007, the company is now expanding into new markets in both Norway and internationally. The enterprise consists of Industriverktøy AS and Mako Verktøy AS, both located in Norway, and IV...
Innotech Solar
(2011-08-19 04:51)
Innotech Solar was established in June 2008, and NorthZone Ventures invested in the company later the same year. We asked Håvard Lillebo, CFO & Founder of Innotech Solar, about his best advices for entrepreneurs searching for venture capital investors. Innnotech Solar is specializing in the recycling and repowering of non-prime solar cells. These solar cells don't have the necessary power to be...
IOR Chemco
(2009-07-16 01:11)
Water production is a major problem for upstream oil companies worldwide, with 3 barrels of water being produced for every barrel of oil. IOR Chemco (Improved Oil Recovery Chemical Company) has developed a new patented technology that reduces the produced water and increases the oil production from the oil and gas field, both offshore and onshore. The Stavanger-based company thereby has...
its learning
(2011-08-19 04:13)
It’s learning was established in 1999 and is based on a master thesis at Bergen University College. International Business Development Manager Jan Åge Skaathun was one of the founders and explains how the company has grown into a leading European provider of digital learning platforms with more than one million users worldwide. - It’s learning was based on the master thesis: “The Virtual...
KSD Software
(2009-07-20 01:01)
By being the first company to adapt to a changing market, KSD Software found opportunities amongst new and complicated regulation. The company is aiming to become one of the world’s leading developer and supplier of systems for customs clearance and for transportation, forwarding and logistics markets. KSD Software is aiming to become an international market leader through innovation and mark...
Locus
(2009-07-16 01:59)
Locus, based in Sandefjord, was founded in 1961 almost as a mere coincidence. Almost 20 years later the company’s products and services are helping saving lives. It all started when Locus’ predecessor developed a solution for traffic information in a project for Volvo. The company continued to develop innovative systems and concepts, and is developing and producing concepts and products within...
M_Solution
(2009-07-17 09:33)
The entrepreneurs behind M_Solution observed that most people found it easier to handle a mobile phone than a computer. Therefore, they developed a mobile reporting system which can be used by everyone. Through active ownership they were given the opportunity to grow. The products from M_Solution are designed for real-time communication, and the applications are designed for administration an...
Maxware
(2008-06-04 02:17)
MaXware is one of the leading producers of software for Identity Management. MaXware is a identity management solutions expert helping organizations worldwide achieve simplified identity management and secured access across their organization and the web. MaXware provides a comprehensive solution suite and a world-class professional services delivery team for organizations to optimize, integrat...
MTEM
(2008-06-04 02:22)
MTEM started to evolve in 1991 as a result of Anton Ziolkowski innovative ideas. Later the University of Edinburgh was contacted and in 2001 MTEM was born. MTEM is based on the research project at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland. The MTEM technique produces resistively profiles over prospective reservoirs to identify hydrocarbons before committing to costly drilling programs. The use of...
myVR Software
(2009-07-17 03:36)
In 2008 even those with a slow internet connection in the Oslo area could find their local neighborhood with a detailed 3D map. The revolutionising distribution and viewing technology was developed by myVR Software. The patented technology for distribution and viewing of large 3D VR models on the internet allows users to move around inside huge 3D computer models – something that was not...
Nacre
(2008-06-04 01:42)
In-ear intelligent communication Nacre develops and sells the most advanced hearing system for military use in the world today. The product, QuietPro, provides full directional hearing and situational awareness while protecting the ability to hear when dangerous noise is present. Nacre is a spin-off from SINTEF, the fourth largest reaserch organisation in Europe. In 2006 the company signed a...
Nanoradio
(2008-06-04 03:08)
Nanoradio was founded in 2004 by a group of experienced engineers and businessmen devoted to the wireless communication technology and its development. Nanoradio, headquartered in Kista, Sweden is a fabless semiconductor supplier that has developed a unique WLAN chipset, making high-speed wireless access available in portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, cameras and mediaplayers....
Ocea
(2009-07-17 03:48)
Ocea has in a space period of time become a leading international supplier of equipment and technology to the fish farming and aquaculture industry. The receipt for their success is a combination of active ownership, competent capital and a consolidation strategy. Ocea is an international total supplier of services and equipment to the professional fish farming sector, and has since its foundin...
Omniware
(2009-07-20 01:52)
Omniware is a leading global company that develops health and safety software and risk analysis. The company has grown by 200 percent since it was acquired by the private equity fund Energy Ventures in 2004. The Kristiansund-based company has through the Omnisafe and Omnicom software expanded beyond national boards, and is today present in Australia, the USA and the UK. Omniware has experienc...
Panoramagruppen
(2009-07-20 01:07)
Panoramagruppen AS ended their family-owned business structure in 1997 and a decade later the company has become Aust-Agder´s fastest growing company, facilitated by private equityinvestors and active ownership. Panoramagruppen has been restructured since the private equity fund Norvestor acquired the company in 2006. – We experienced exceptional growth during 2006 and 2007, and between 2006 an...
Radiocrafts
(2009-07-17 03:53)
In 2007 Radiocrafts developed the world’s first embedded radio frequency (RF) module to measure electricity, gas and water. The innovative company received private equity funding the same year and is now represented in more than 30 countries worldwide. The entrepreneurs Peder Martin Evjen and Hallvard Moholdt saw the opportunities in the RF market and founded Radiocrafts in 2003. The company...
Reno Norden
(2009-11-11 02:08)
The business concept of providing cost-effective and quality orientated solutions for waste disposal services, has secured Reno Norden AS a leading role in the market for collection and transportation of household waste in the Nordic countries. Since the establishment in 2000, the company has experienced a strong organic growth rate, which will result in a turnover of 400 millin (NOK) in 2009....
Resman
(2009-07-20 10:46)
The recipe behind Resman AS is two entrepreneurs, one good idea and 10 years of product development, customer focus and active ownership. The end result is a company that in three years has grown from an idea to a recognized company within the oil industry. Fridtjof Nyhavn and Anne Dalager Dyrli are the two entrepreneurs behind Resman AS. The company was a spin-off from SINTEF and Sinvent, a...
SafeRoad
(2009-07-20 10:51)
The SafeRoad Group is still developing their business idea, despite the current financial crisis. The company continues to do “business as usual” after receiving private equity funding and was in 2008 the largest and most expansive company in the municipality of Oerstad. Nordic Capital Fund acquired the company in June 2008, and SafeRoad is now Europe’s leading supplier of traffic safety...
Signicat
(2009-11-04 03:57)
Signicat AS is convincing more and more companies to opt for digital services instead of the traditional pen and paper. The IT Company specializes in digital identity and has since 2007 brought several of Norway’s largest companies on board. The company operates mainly in the bank and insurance industry, a market that was strongly affected by the financial crisis. – The use of digital identity...
SmartMotor
(2009-07-20 10:54)
It was when the two professors at NTNU turned a good idea into a business that the fairytale of SmartMotor began. The result is an innovative company that supplies their own patented electrical engines that could make the whole energy industry environmentally friendly. SmartMotor initially used their core competences within the field of compact and permanently magnetized electrical motors on...
Spring Energy Norway
(2009-07-20 11:31)
Spring Energy was established in 2007, with HitecVision as principal owner from the spring of 2008. Today the company is, together with the former HitecVision portfolio company Revus, the most successful start-up company on the Norwegian continental shelf. In three years the company has built a diversified portfolio of 26 licenses (as of June 2011), and sold six licenses. The company has made...
Technor Group
(2008-06-04 03:00)
Technor is a global energy technology company with operations in Norway, France, UK, Italy, US, USA, Brazil, Singapore, Egypt and Russia. The company develops electronic, electro-mechanic, subsea and flow control products to niche markets within the oil and gas industry, including midstream and downstream segments. Technor was delisted from Oslo Stock Exchange in 2006 by HitecVision. Technor ha...
Trolltech
(2008-06-04 02:55)
Trolltech (now known as Qt Software) is a Norwegian software company founded in 1994 by entrepreneurs Eirik Chambe-Eng and Haavard Nord. The company has great success with their two products Qt and Qtopia, which the co-founder started writing in 1991. Ever since the company has expended and improved, and Trolltech has successfully established itself as a global vendor with 5.000 customers in 60...
VIA Travel
(2009-07-20 01:35)
VIA Travel was founded in 1997 and is now the market leader in the Nordic travel agency market. Despite the financial crisis the company continues to grow with customer such as Norsk Hydro, Aker Kvaerner, Telenor, the Military, NRK and the Kongsberg group. As the Nordic regions leading travel agent chain, VIA Travel has successfully managed to constantly adapt to changing market conditions. W...
Viseno
(2009-07-20 11:38)
The entrepreneurs behind Viseno have developed an internet service where you can design and show you own home in 3D. What started as a subsea technology has now through active ownership been cultivated to a world leading product on par with YouTube. The service was launched in Norway in the summer of 2008 and the technology that allows “everybody” to showcase their own apartment is now...
Wema Systems
(2009-11-11 01:34)
The family-owned company Wema, based in Bergen, is regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly companies in Norway. Armed with revolutionary technology, an active ownership; it now has frim ambitions of becoming one of the worlds' "greenest" companies. Wema is a world leading company within development and design of sensors, a technology that measures the level and quality in diesel-fu...
Ziebel
(2009-07-17 03:56)
Before the well service and technology company Ziebel could celebrate their milestone first birthday, they had already established a presence in Asia, Europe and South and North America. With a bucket load of intelligent well technology and access to ample risk capital, Ziebel is set to conquer the rest of the market. The Stavanger –based company is capturing market share by focusing on well...