Driven by a passion for fishing
Norolan’s roots run deep in fishing tradition: The company was founded in 2019 by Jyrki Kasanen, a passionate fisherman and jewelry craftsman, who was frustrated with the lack of authentic, high-quality fishing gear on the market.
“As a fisherman, I knew what a highly effective lure should be like, and as a jewelry maker, I knew how to make it. With pride, I can say that Norolan represents my values of traditional craftsmanship and pure Finnish authenticity.” This philosophy drives Norolan’s mission to create gear that anglers can trust and use for years, moving away from disposable culture and mass-produced goods. The company emphasizes sustainability, using lead-free materials and inspiring customers to adopt mindful, long-lasting choices.
Securing Funding with FiBAN: mentorship, agreement templates and resources
Norolan’s funding round, led by FiBAN angel investor Juha Miettinen, was the company’s first and brought together a syndicate of investors, including Ilari Kallio, Ville Keto, and Mikko Keto. Despite being a first-time fundraiser, Norolan successfully navigated the process with FiBAN’s support.
“We led the negotiations ourselves, together with one lead angel investor. The entire process took approximately four months from start to closing the round,” says Kasanen.
FiBAN’s templates and resources played a crucial role in streamlining the process. “The FiBAN agreement templates were a great help, and during our second funding round, it has been incredibly valuable that we used FiBAN’s templates from the start. The same templates have also been utilized by new shareholders, including even venture capital funders,” Kasanen adds.
The involvement of FiBAN angels brought more than just funding to the table. Their collective expertise and mentorship provided Norolan with strategic insights and a network of contacts that are already helping the company scale effectively.
“The FiBAN investors were instrumental during this journey, providing not just resources and templates but also a community of like-minded investors who genuinely care about the success of innovative businesses. Their support during our funding rounds has been invaluable,” Kasanen reflects.
The funds will be used to accelerate Norolan’s growth, enabling the company to enhance its production capabilities and expand its reach in the fishing gear market, both in Finland and internationally.
For Norolan, this funding round represents more than just financial backing—it’s a validation of their mission and a stepping stone to scaling their operations and making a lasting impact in the fishing industry.“We’re proud to be part of the FiBAN network and look forward to building an even brighter future together,” founder Jyrki Kasanen coincides.
About Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN
- FiBAN is a non-profit association of over 600 angel investors.
- One of Europe’s largest and most active angel networks.
- FiBAN facilitates funding for unlisted growth companies and provides training for angel investors.
- FiBAN members have collectively funded nearly 2,000 startups with half a billion euros over the past 15 years. More investment data.
