A deep blue oceanic expanse with two boats in the water and land in the distance.

Innovation Ventures
Searching for the next world-changing idea

Innovation Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Inter IKEA Group. We make strategic investments in innovative companies and build strategic partnerships and collaborations with corporations and academia. Read on to find out more about how we work!

A living area with a person and a dog on a sofa. The person is lying down, reading, with their legs up the wall behind the sofa.

Our story

Inter IKEA is the franchisor in the IKEA system - responsible for the product design and development, supply chains and retail concept. As a corporate venture unit, Innovation Ventures aims to support the organisation by identifying and accelerating innovation and supporting early-stage companies to scale and commercialise. We are driven by the IKEA vision and values; to act on challenges and explore opportunities and to create a home furnishing business that is better for both the planet and the many people.

Learn more about Inter IKEA

Our four transformation areas

Innovation Ventures' investments and partnerships are aimed at addressing key challenges and opportunities across our value chain. To this end, we look for opportunities across four transformation areas. Our ultimate goal is to make IKEA more sustainable, affordable and accessible to the many people.

A hand holds a fillet of plant-based salmon, which looks like real salmon. Below are a few springs of rosemary.

Transformation area 1
Next generation of sustainable materials, food and processes

More sustainable feedstocks, new materials with novel properties, alternative food ingredients and better processes associated with production.

A person inspects a standing lamp and other items of furniture left on a pavement outside a brick building.

Transformation area 2
Transform into a circular value chain

Improving efficiency and reducing waste in every step of our value chains and extending the life of the products by recycling capabilities and circular systems together with partners.

An IKEA co-worker wearing a yellow shirt talks with customers inside an IKEA store.

Transformation area 3
Reform the customer experience

From how our customers see and interact with our products in the store and online, through to the packaging and assembling, to a better product experience and lifetime.

A family with two children around a dining table, having meatballs, mashed potatoes and a salad while talking and smiling.

Transformation area 4
Improve life at home

Inspire and support our customers to live more healthy and sustainable lives. From reducing energy consumption to saving water, improving air quality, minimising waste and living more healthily.

Our investment portfolio

Our current investment portfolio is made up of innovative companies active in areas that we want to explore further. Together we aim to accelerate new ideas that are good for our planet and the many people.

A worker leans over the side of a boat in the calm sea. He is pulling seaweed out of the water and into the boat. There is another boat and clouds in the background.

Nordic SeafarmNordic SeaFarm grows seaweed right from the heart of the ocean. With a focus on sustainability, they cultivate varieties like sugar kelp and sea lettuce to help create a more circular economy. From drying to freezing, they process these natural treasures into products that support everything from food to biomaterials.

An overhead shot of an almost circular lake in a crater. The blue water is rimmed with yellow and orange earth.

ColorifixBy harnessing colours directly from nature, Colorifix uses engineered microorganisms to create more sustainable dyes through fermentation. This innovative process eliminates harmful chemicals and drastically reduces water usage, making it better for both people and the planet.

A small heap of bio-based cellulose fibre on a light wooden surface.

TreeToTextileTreeToTextile is on a mission to change the textile industry. Using innovative technology, they create a bio-based cellulose fibre made from natural raw materials to help reduce the textile industry's environmental impact.

An extreme close-up on a green leaf.

SeprifySeprify is turning cellulose, the world’s most abundant biopolymer, into smart, more sustainable materials. By creating plant-based ingredients for industries like cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals, they help reduce waste and support the circular economy.

An office space with pre-loved table and chairs, trolley and a wall clock.

NorNormNorNorm offers a smart, circular subscription service for office furniture, making it easy for businesses to create flexible, sustainable workspaces. Their model allows customers to access high-quality, pre-loved furniture without the commitment of ownership.

A hand holding a phone with the Nyris app takes a photo of a black desk lamp.

NyrisNyris makes searching easier with smart AI technology that lets you find products just by looking at pictures or using keywords. Whether it’s for spare parts or online shopping, their visual search tools help businesses save time and reduce mistakes.

Two large piles of plastic waste in front of a clear, blue sky.

NiloNilo is on a mission to turn the world’s rubbish into resources – starting with plastic. Their smart technology and circular thinking help people collect, reuse, and benefit from waste. Rooted in Kiwi and Māori values, Nilo aims to build a cleaner, fairer future with fewer landfills and more purpose.

A fillet of New School Foods plant-based salmon, uncooked, placed on a white surface.

New School FoodsNew School Foods is a Toronto-based company that creates plant-based seafood alternatives, replicating traditional seafood’s taste, texture, and cooking experience. They have developed proprietary technologies to produce whole-cut products at scale.

A black and white image of a bathroom showing a vanity unit, the edge of a bathtub and a shower in focus.

Flow Loop (exit)Founded in 2016, Flow Loop set out to tackle the growing gap between water demand and supply. Their innovative recirculating shower system retrofits existing setups, reducing water use by 80% and energy by 70%. A smart, sustainable solution that helps conserve natural resources while making everyday life more efficient.

How we invest

Early stage – from seed stage

First ticket size – €1-5m

Geographic scope – global

Shareholding – minority, up to 20%

Engagement – active shareholder

What we are looking for

Strategic alignment – addresses IKEA strategic needs, potential to be utilised by IKEA

Sustainability – potential to address sustainability challenges for IKEA, and beyond

Scalability – potential to scale globally

Low cost – potential to reach a cost point affordable to the many people

Innovation – new or improved technologies and solutions

Impact – potential to have significant impact on the IKEA business

Meet the team

A head and shoulder portrait of Innovation Ventures Leader, Andrew Mcintosh. — Andrew Mcintosh
Innovation Ventures Leader

A head and shoulder portrait of Innovation Ventures Leader, Craig Kelly. — Craig Kelly
Innovation Ventures Leader

A head and shoulder portrait of Innovation Ventures Leader, Linda Wilkens. — Linda Wilkens
Innovation Ventures Leader

A head and shoulder portrait of Innovation Ventures Leader, Linn Clabburn — Linn Clabburn
Innovation Ventures Leader

A head and shoulder portrait of Innovation Ventures Leader, Raffaele Giovinazzi. — Raffaele Giovinazzi
Innovation Ventures Leader

A head and shoulder portrait of Innovation Ventures Manager, Robert Carleke. — Robert Carleke
Innovation Ventures Manager