Kärt Siilats has been elected Chair of SmartCap’s Supervisory Board. She brings more than 20 years of investment experience across illiquid asset classes, including both fund investments and direct investments.
“Kärt combines strong international investment experience with a practical understanding of early-stage companies. Her expertise will help SmartCap continue supporting the growth of ambitious and innovative Estonian companies,” said Ursel Velve, Chairman of the Management Board of the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency and representative of SmartCap’s shareholder.
Priit Põldoja, member of the SmartCap’s Supervisory Board, said Siilats brings broad investment experience and a valuable strategic perspective. “Kärt has a broad view of the capital markets. She combines international transaction experience, a strong understanding of fund investing, and a clear sense of the support companies need at different stages of growth,” said Põldoja.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Chair of SmartCap’s Supervisory Board. SmartCap plays an important role in the development of Estonia’s entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem, and I look forward to contributing to its next phase of growth,” said Kärt Siilats.
Kärt Siilats has worked at Citigroup in London across both investment banking and corporate banking, and has led private equity and venture capital fund investments at Barclays Wealth. At the European Investment Fund, she contributed to the implementation of the €100 million Baltic Innovation Fund. Siilats is a co-founder and partner at mojo.capital. Through its fund Mojo Digital One, investments have been made in 30 European venture capital funds, including Seedcamp and Atomico, as well as in 12 companies, including Wise, Veriff and Tink. She has also been active as a mentor, advisor and trainer to early-stage companies and, through GoBeyond Capital, which she co-founded, has made angel investments and helped venture capital funds identify emerging talent and founders.
SmartCap is a subsidiary of the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency and a small fund manager licensed by the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority. It manages the SmartCap Venture Capital Fund, the SmartCap Green Fund and the Defence Fund. The SmartCap Green Fund is financed by the European Union through the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility.