About Bornholm's Business Fund

From Swedish houses to growth on Bornholm

Since 1972, the Bornholm Business Fund has helped to turn ideas into businesses, create jobs and strengthen the development of Bornholm’s business community. Behind the fund lies a rather special story, which begins with the Swedish wooden houses that were built in Rønne and Nexø following the Russian bombardments at the end of the Second World War.

When the foundation was established, it was with an initial capital of 10 million kroner. Eight million kroner was contributed by the state, while the five Bornholm financial institutions at the time contributed a total of two million kroner. The funds from the state predominantly came from the sale of 300 Swedish wooden houses built in Rønne and Nexø following the Russian bombardment of the two towns in 1945. The houses were a gift that Sweden had donated for the reconstruction of Bornholm after the war.

In the early 1990s the foundation's funds were almost fully lent out, at the same time as Bornholm was in the middle of a serious business crisis where it was difficult for companies to secure financing for new projects. Therefore, the government decided in 1993 as part of the so-called Bornholmer package to contribute an additional 50 million kroner to Bornholms Erhvervsfond.

The capital increase consisted of 40 million Danish kroner from the government, whilst Danske Bank and Nordea contributed a total of 10 million Danish kroner. In the spring of 2007, Sydbank made a contribution of DKK 2 million. This capital continues to form the basis for Bornholm Business Fund’s work in investing in the development of Bornholm-based businesses.

You can delve further into the foundation's history and its significance for business development on Bornholm here: Bornholm Business Fund's 50th anniversary publication