Embracer founder Lars Wingefors buys stake in Swedish ticketing firm Tickster

What's the deal? Embracer founder Lars Wingefors has acquired a minority stake in TicksterDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a Swedish ticketing and event-systems provider, through his vehicle Lars Wingefors ABDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. The deal value was not disclosed, though Wingefors called it "a significant sum" (translated from Swedish). Founders Jon Serrander and Niklas Stake remain majority owners.

What's the endgame? Wingefors enters as a long-term shareholder in what he says is his largest minority position in an unlisted company. Tickster operates in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, works with the Roskilde festival, and next year becomes the new ticketing provider for clubs in the Allsvenskan and Superettan under a deal with Svensk ElitfotbollDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.

Why now? Tickster's ownership recently shifted. In December, listed experiences group Moment GroupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → sold its 18.7% stake for 62.5 million kronor to the founders' company XNSE Experience Enabling Services AB, valuing Tickster at 334 million kronor. Now the founders are bringing in a new co-owner.

By the numbers: Tickster reported 2025 revenue of 122.9 million kronor, up from 106 million in 2024. Profit fell to 13.2 million kronor from 21.7 million the year before.

What's the backstory? Tickster began with the Arvika festival in Värmland, Wingefors's home region. He said proximity mattered to the decision: "We become a better owner because Tickster is in Värmland than if it had been Tickster from Skåne." He added that Värmland is not his top investment criterion, but not one he dismisses either.

The signal: The move extends Wingefors's reach beyond gaming, where Lars Wingefors AB holds stakes in Embracer and its spin-offs Asmodee GroupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Coffee Stain GroupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. His portfolio already spans property firm Bröderna WingeforsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and aviation group W Aviation ABDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, pointing to a diversifying, regionally rooted investment strategy.

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