Corporate Vision March 2017

CORPORATE VISION / March 2017 77 , Almi Foretagspartner is a Swedish investment firm supporting businesses fromacross the corporate landscape. We explore howCEO SaraWallin has worked to ensure the success of this dynamic and innovative company. Investing in the Future Established in 1994, Almi provides advisory services, loans and venture capital through all phases of the establishment of a business, from idea through to successful company. The firm’s vision is to create opportunities for all viable ideas and companies to be developed. The firm complements the market by providing risk bearing loans where nobody else does. Almi’s role is to take slightly larger risks. The viability of an idea and a company’s future potential are more important than its real assets. The entrepreneur’s and the company’s ability to develop and exploit the idea or the investment is also important. To compensate for the higher risk taken, and to ensure that Almi does not compete with private- sector players, the company charges an interest rate that is higher than the average interest rate offered by banks. Almi’s lending activities are often conducted in collaboration with other lenders, and banks are important partners. Almi’s Business Loans are aimed at companies with up to 250 employees in all industries. Its Micro Loans are designed for businesses with smaller capital requirements, primarily new enterprises that would find it difficult to meet their need for capital in other ways. Almi also offers funding for businesses that need to raise capital in connection with an export venture as well as specially adapted forms of finance for development of innovation projects. Alongside its core offering, Almi is made up of subsidiaries. Almi Invest is the Group’s venture capital firm. Its role is to supplement that of the market, investing where the risk is high and access to capital is scarce. Almi Invest invests in companies with scalable business concepts and prospects for long-term capital growth. The companies must have the ability to compete nationally and internationally, and there must be a clear customer need. Management should consist of dedicated entrepreneurs or a team with the ability to build a successful company. The company invests from the seed phase to the expansion phase. Seed phase refers to start-ups and new enterprises in very early stages. Expansion phase refers to businesses that are already in the market and are in an early stage of expansion or growth. In addition to its investment offering, Almi also supports its clients by providing advice and support. Advice is given by Almi’s advisers by external sub- consultants. The basic concept is that customers are offered the best possible service and expertise based on their needs. The services offered vary from region to region depending on regional circumstances and the resources of the regional Almi company. CEO Sarah Wallin is a senior executive with experience within the fields of strategy, financing, entrepreneurship, venture capital, keynote speaker and marketing/sales. She draws on this through her role at Almi. She provides operational leadership experience as well as various board assignments, drawing on her excellent communication skills and a genuine interest in people. She is inspired by challenges in the field of change management, customer focus and organizational development. Overall, it her vast industry experience coupled with her commitment to excellence that has helped lead her firm to the success it enjoys today, and looking to the future she and her team will continue to drive development as the firm seeks to support even more businesses over the months and years ahead. K Company: Almi Foretagspartner Väst AB Address: Almi Företagspartner Väst AB, Ekonomiservice, Box 190, 831 22 Östersund Phone: 031-779 79 22 Email: [email protected] Website: www.almi.se 1702CV46