First Gate Invest

The firm operates with a distributed leadership model rather than a single CIO. Five named partners — Per Ström, Raimo Gester, Peter Pettersson, Fredrik Blad, and Christer Petersson — all hold the title 'Operativt ansvarig' (operationally responsible), indicating shared investment and operational duties. Raimo Gester also serves as the chairman of the board. The specific decision-making process, such as voting thresholds or deal-lead assignments, is not publicly detailed.

Deal flow appears to be generated through the combined networks of its five named partners, who operate as a collective of business angels. The firm's website frames it as an 'investor network' that brings together entrepreneurs and investors, suggesting a reliance on personal relationships and Sweden's tightly connected startup community. Public co-investment history with established local venture funds like Chalmers Ventures and Industrifonden indicates a sourcing channel through institutional co-investors in the Swedish deep tech market.

First Gate Invest does not fit neatly into either category. It describes itself as both an investment company and an investor network. The firm is not publicly linked to a single family's wealth, nor does it operate as a typical venture capital fund with external limited partners. Instead, it functions as a hybrid, pooling capital from a group of named business angels and operators to make direct, early-stage investments while providing active operational support.

Based on available information, First Gate Invest engages exclusively in direct investments into startups. Its website emphasizes direct capital deployment coupled with hands-on mentorship from its partners. There is no public record of the firm committing capital as a limited partner to other venture funds.

The firm states it invests in 'unique and scalable growth companies' at an early stage, specifically targeting the startup and venture phases. While it does not list explicit sector exclusions, its co-investment activity with Chalmers Ventures and Industrifonden points toward a focus on Swedish deep tech and scalable technology businesses. Beyond this inference, the firm's public sector preferences remain broad.