Dahlgren Capital Strengthens Private Equity Team with Industry Veterans
Dahlgren Capital has announced a significant expansion of its Private Equity division with the addition of two prominent business figures, Gustaf Karling and Mattias Lewrén.
Gustaf Karling, a seasoned entrepreneur with experience from companies like DGC, Everysport Media Group, Hubbster, and Zebrain, joins forces with Mattias Lewrén, who brings extensive leadership experience from Accenture, including roles as global strategy executive, partner, and CEO of Swedish operations.
Peter Dahlgren, founder of Dahlgren Capital, expressed enthusiasm about the new additions: "Their experience and competence will be crucial for our success in Private Equity. Their ability to create value in both listed and unlisted companies aligns perfectly with our strategy of active ownership to drive innovation and growth."
Dahlgren Capital Private Equity (Dcap PE), established in early 2024, aims to fill a significant gap in the Nordic Private Equity market. The team is focusing on smaller companies with turnovers between SEK 20-200 million that are near or already cash-flow positive.
"We have identified a part of the market with smaller companies that are misunderstood and that have gone wrong on the stock exchange and perhaps should not really be listed," Gustaf Karling explained. Their strategy involves acting as a catalyst, working closely with management and owners to support companies in overcoming challenging situations.
In June 2024, Dcap PE made its inaugural investment in Westpay, a First North-listed payment service company. With a SEK 9 million investment for a 20% stake, Dahlgren Capital became Westpay's main owner.
Looking ahead, Gustaf Karling revealed plans to invest in at least one or two more companies before the end of the year, with the possibility of opening their own fund to allow broader participation.
The team has identified about twenty promising listed companies that have lost 80-90% of their market value but retain significant potential. This aligns with the broader market trend, where many of the approximately 750 companies listed on First North, Nordic Growth Market, and Spotlight have experienced negative performance after failing to meet high expectations.
