An IGC Europe holding
Tobii is a world leader in hardware and software solutions for eye tracking – a technology that empowers a computer to know exactly where a person is looking.

In addition to the three co-founders, the company is owned by Investor, which invested in Tobii in March 2007 through its European venture capital arm Investor Growth Capital Europe (IGC Europe). IGC Europe has two of its tech-team members serving on Tobii’s board: Anders Ösund, Vice President as director, and Karl Swartling, Co-Head and Managing Director as deputy director.

IGC Europe, based in Stockholm, is part of the international Investor Growth Capital organization, which also has units in the U.S. (New York) and Asia (Hong Kong and Beijing). IGC is focused on VC investments in the IT/technology and healthcare sectors.

The investment in Tobii is representative of the IGC portfolio – investments in growth-oriented companies ranging from startups to companies on the verge of entering an expansion stage to establish themselves in the market or launch new products – like Tobii.

“We are very excited about our investment in Tobii Technology. Eye tracking is an enabling technology with appealing niche markets and huge long-term growth potential. Tobii is an international leader in the field and we look forward to supporting the company as it develops its current markets and introduces its world-class products in new segments,” says Anders Ösund

Wide range of potential applications
Eye tracking technology offers a multitude of opportunities, ranging from enhanced control interfaces to brand new ways of understanding human behavior. For example, eye tracking-based communication devices from Tobii are widely used by disabled people as a primary way to communicate. Within the market research industry, Tobii’s products provide objective insights into consumer attention and effectiveness of print advertising, TV commercials, product packaging, and online marketing. Off-the-shelf or customized eye tracking components are also offered for integration into large industry applications.

“The goal is to develop the technology for a mass market. Today, the technology is in its infancy but we expect to have a product ready in a year or two that can also be used to control ordinary PCs, where users can use their eyes, instead of a mouse, to steer the cursor,” says John Elvesjö co-founder and Executive Vice President of Tobii.

A note on the list
The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA program recognizes technology companies that have achieved the fastest rates of annual revenue growth in EMEA during the past five years. Average five-year revenue growth for all companies is 1,443 percent, the highest since the awards began. The software sector continues to dominate the ranking, making up 200 of the 500 companies.

Among country performance trends, the U.K. has the most ranked companies (81 of the 500), followed by France with 68, Netherlands with 61 and Sweden – Tobii’s home base – with 50. The 2007 winners are classic growth companies, basing their business on their own unique technologies. The majority of them are self-starters, who set up their businesses entirely through their own efforts and resources.

Information updated 2007-12-03 12:18:23