Annual return exceeded 18%, increasing investment assets by €122 million.
In 2024, the University of Helsinki saw an 18.14% return on its investments, based almost exclusively on a return of 24.98% on listed equities. After an increase of €122 million, the University's investment assets totalled €789 million at the end of the year. From the beginning of 2019, the combined return has been 104.6%, making up roughly half of the University's investment assets.
"Our investments have performed well in the past six years, which helps the University carry its responsibilities even better. Having said that, for the University, a quarter spans 25 years, which means that the success of our investment activities must be assessed in the long term," says Chief Financial Officer Marjo Berglund.
Increased investments in growth businesses originating at the University
As Finland's largest university spinout endowment investor, the University of Helsinki invested a total of €1.3 million in 14 University-based growth businesses. At the end of the year, the University held shares amounting to €34.6 million in 33 growth businesses originating at the University. The businesses raised a total of €181 million in funding over the course of the year.
"Since 2019, we have been focusing particularly on growth businesses stemming from the University. The positive effects of this determined effort are now evident both in our investments and more broadly at the University. According to our new five-year investment plan, we will further accelerate this trend," Deputy Chief Investment Marko Berg adds.
