SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 -- Pod Venture Partners has announced that it is the new principal owner of Transmode. The venture capital firm says it now has a 42 percent participating interest in the Swedish optical equipment firm.
Pod Venture Partners is a Nordic private equity firm founded in 2000 and based in Stockholm.
"Transmode is one of the most interesting technology companies in Europe right now. Since the company started in 2000, it has grown to become Sweden's second-largest provider of telecom equipment. Despite the recession, it is one of the most profitable companies in the sector and, although 2009 will be something of an off year for the sector as a whole, Transmode's profitability remains good. It was therefore an obvious decision for us to increase our ownership when the opportunity presented itself," says Tom Nyman, partner at Pod Venture Partners and member of Transmode's board of directors.
Other shareholders in Transmode include Amadeus Capital Partners, HarbourVest, and European Equity Partners. Pod Ventures gained its new position when a combination of private and institutional investors decided to sell parts of their holdings in the company.
"We welcome Pod's decision to increase its ownership. Pod has been with us since 2003, and their long-term and active ownership has in many ways helped to give Transmode a stable foundation for the future," says Kent Sander, chairman of the Transmode’s board of directors.
"Transmode is more than pure high tech company as it also has a strong industrial focus. The operational setup is focused and lean, and the solutions being developed are cost-efficient from all perspectives,” concluded Nyman. “All in all, this makes it easy for the customer to increase capacity, all while allowing scope for good margins. The company is active at the heart of a very exciting market segment, where there is an ever-increasing need for network traffic capacity, and I look forward to developments in the years ahead. We at Pod can help to ensure the company's success by remaining long-term and active owners, owners who consistently pursue the issue of maintaining a business approach."