First Fellow Partners

First Fellow Partners is a boutique private investment firm established by technology industry veterans Risto Siilasmaa and Kim Groop. The firm operates with a foundational philosophy centered on entrepreneurial values, building relationships based on mutual trust, maintaining unwavering integrity, and identifying ventures that address significant global challenges. Their investment approach prioritizes collaboration with determined technology entrepreneurs who demonstrate both vision and commitment to creating meaningful impact through innovation.

Led by Siilasmaa, former Chairman and CEO of Nokia and founder of cybersecurity leader F-Secure, the firm leverages decades of operational expertise in building and scaling technology companies. This hands-on experience informs their investment strategy, allowing them to provide portfolio companies with insights that extend far beyond mere capital injection. Their partnership model emphasizes active engagement with founders, offering strategic guidance, industry connections, and operational support throughout the growth journey.

The investment thesis at First Fellow Partners focuses primarily on technology-driven solutions addressing substantial market inefficiencies or emerging opportunities. They demonstrate particular interest in entrepreneurs who exhibit both technical excellence and a clear mission orientation—those building products and services that solve fundamental problems rather than incremental improvements. This mission-aligned approach ensures that portfolio companies share the firm's commitment to creating ventures with lasting significance and positive societal impact.

While maintaining a global perspective, First Fellow Partners brings particular expertise in European technology ecosystems, helping ambitious founders scale beyond regional boundaries. Their investment philosophy emphasizes patience and long-term thinking, recognizing that transformative companies require time to realize their full potential. This approach allows them to support entrepreneurs through various growth stages, from early development through significant scale, always maintaining focus on building sustainable businesses that deliver both financial returns and meaningful contributions to solving complex global challenges.