your company
in the spotlight
ORGANIZER
SUPPORTING PARTNER
What is the Nordic Cleantech Open?
What is the Nordic Cleantech Open?
It is THE competition for cleantech start-ups from the Nordic and Baltic regions.
Every year we identify the 25 best and most innovative seed-stage cleantech start-ups with the main objective of putting their innovations in the spotlight to support and accelerate their development and growth. The competition is free for all participants.
What do we mean by cleantech?
We are looking for technologies that
can reduce environmental impact directly or indirectly.
Technologies that directly mitigate or remove emissions, technologies that directly reduce resource use, products that provide a more sustainable alternative, products that help users reduce their environmental footprint, etc.
Enabling technologies, technologies that increase production efficiency, technologies that support adaptation to climate change, technologies that enhance our understanding of the climate, etc.
Who can apply?
Who can apply?
Anyone looking to turn his or her cleantech idea into a successful business
You have to own the rights to the idea with which you are entering the competition.
A start-up that has received less than EUR 1,000,000 in external private financing
The 1 MEUR is a guideline more than a deal breaker, because this competition focuses on “Early-stage ready to scale” companies. Some technologies require more than 1MEUR just to proof viability, some not, hence if you are still considered an early-stage company with above the recommended funding level and looking for further investments and industrial exposure, you are welcome to apply.
Grant funding, bank loans, revenues and money from friends and family should be excluded from that sum.
Your business needs to be based in one of the Nordic or Baltic countries.
(Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania)
Companies that have been selected Top 25 in previous editions are not eligible.
Evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria
Innovation
Business Idea, Business Model, Problem Solving Ability, Uniqueness and Environmental Benefits
Market potential
Accessibility, Size and Growth Dynamics
Team
Finances, Team Competences, Connections and Network
Timeline
Timeline
1. Application Phase
Applications will open on October 1st and close by December 1st. Get ready!
To receive a reminder when it opens again, please leave your contact:
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3. Feedback and Selection
February 2024
Individual feedback sent to all participants. Top25 startups selected and featured in our Top25 Report. They will be informed about next steps and invited to join the other selected startups and jury at the Nordic Camp in April, in southern Sweden.
2. Jury Evaluation
December 2023 & January 2024
The jury evaluates the solutions based on their level of innovation, market potential and team.
4. Events and Networking
April & May
Nordic Camp: Top25 invited to Smygehus Havsbad
Spring, March 2024
for pitching and meeting with
investors and industrials
Nordic Cleantech Open Finals & Cleantech Capital Day
Spring, March 2024
1. Application Phase
Applications will open in October 1st and will receive submissions until Dec 1st.
To receive a reminder when you can submit your case, please leave your contact:
2. Jury Evaluation
June & July 2022
The jury evaluates the solutions based on their level of innovation, market potential and team.
3. Feedback and Selection
August 2022
Individual feedback sent to all participants. Top25 startups selected and featured in our Top25 Report. They are also invited to pitch at the Trolleholm castle, in southern Sweden.
4. Events and Networking
September 20th and 21st 2022*
Nordic Camp: Top25 invited to Smygehus Havsbad
September 20th and 21st
for pitching and meeting with
investors and industrials
October 25th and 26th
Nordic Cleantech Open Finals & Cleantech Capital Day
Oslo, Norway
The Jury
The Jury
For the 11th round of the Nordic Cleantech Open, we are joined by a prominent set of jury members, all with extensive cleantech experience and knowledge. The jury members come from companies, such as Taaleri, Bring Ventures, Finindus, Almi Invest, Dow Chemicals, BASF, Encevo, Luxinnovation, SABIC Ventures, E.ON, Capricorn Ventures and many others interested to know your innovation!
ANETT BERGER SORLI
ANETT BERGER SORLI | BRING VENTURES
Anett joined Bring Ventures’ investment team in spring 2020. She has deep operational and financial experiences from earlier positions. Anett focuses primarily on existing holdings and new investments in the Nordic countries, companies within digitization and sustainability.
BOEL RYDENÅ-SWARTLING
BOEL RYDENÅ-SWARTLING | ANGEL INVESTOR
Boel has a master of International Business from Gothenburg School of Economics and has studied psychology at Stockholm University. She has a professional background as marketing manager from Procter & Gamble and Microsoft Nordic and as General Manger for Viacom Television for the Nordic region. She has initiated and project led Sweden Sustaintech Venture Day and has served on a number of boards including the government advisory board for the digital economy, Ung Företagsamhet, IT-builder, and Propel Capital IV and V. She is a co-founder of the EV Charging Equipment company Charge Amps and has invested in a number of sustainability oriented companies.
DANIEL RASMUSSEN
DANIEL RASMUSSEN | BASF VENTURE CAPITAL
Joined BASF Venture Capital in 2021. Prior experience from investment banking and tech-focused growth equity in the Nordics. Focused on digitalization and sustainability.
DANIELA ARRUDA COSTA
DANIELA ARRUDA COSTA | CAPRICORN PARTNERS
Investment Professional with a strong academic background in Life Sciences combined with a PhD in Agricultural Microbiology and a Master in Biotechnology.
As an investment associate at Capricorn Partners, I further developed my analytical skills assessing the scientific, technical, business and financial aspects of Sustainable Chemistry investment deals. I gained a sound understanding in the Venture Capital world, by digging dip into data, intellectual property, market & innovation trends and working with other VC professionals, corporates and founders.
Experienced researcher within Brazilians’ Institutions and Belgian-Brazilian start-up, with a solid interdisciplinary knowledge in biotechnology, molecular biology, bioinformatics and microbiology. 10+ years of scientific experience in acting, analyzing and understanding R&D challenges and opportunities.
FREDRIKA SVANHOLM
FREDRIKA SVANHOLM | VERDANE
Fredrika Svanholm is a member of the investment team at Verdane, where her focus includes the Energy Transition and Resource-Efficiency space. Verdane is the preferred growth partner to tech-enabled businesses across Northern Europe, with a flexible mandate including direct growth investments, secondary investments, and portfolio acquisitions. Verdane has made a commitment to Sustainable Growth as one of the firm’s core guiding investment principles and recently raised a EUR300m impact fund named Idun, which invests in technology-enabled companies that contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Fredrika received her MSc in Finance from Stockholm School of Economics.
GËZIM KISERI
GËZIM KISERI | INVEST IN SKANE
Investment Promotion & Business Development
Cleantech & Advanced Materials
Responsibilities:
• Advise international investors and companies about investment opportunities in Skåne
• Support international companies with establishment in Skåne
• Develop partnerships between international companies and Skåne cleantech companies
• Responsible for business areas Advanced Materials and Cleantech
• Develop and execute sales and marketing activities globally
• Identification of opportunities for international companies: Company set-ups, establishment of new R&D sites, VC investments, M&As, strategic alliances and collaborations, tech sourcing/scouting
• Business and market development services for regional technology startups
• Development and utilization of a strong local and international network of decision makers within national and regional government; national, regional and municipal organizations; universities; industry; VC firms; R&D centers; tech-transfer offices
• Development of a strong local network of service providers such as lawyers, accountants, banks, consultancy firms
Invest in Skåne is the official regional promotion agency facilitating inward investment to Sweden’s southernmost region Skåne as well as promoting internationalization of the regional industry. We provide professional advice and services to companies considering Skåne for future investment and/or expansion. We also assist Swedish companies to find international partners.
GUDBRAND RØDSRUD
GUDBRAND RØDSRUD | BORREGAARD
Over more than 130 years in operation, Borregaard has developed into one of the world’s most advanced biorefineries. By using natural, sustainable raw materials, Borregaard produces advanced and environmentally friendly biochemicals that can replace oil-based products. Borregaard is now actively looking for investment opportunities to leverage the biorefining this biorefining competence. In particular we are looking for companies/technologies for conversion of biobased raw materials to chemicals and materials.
Gudbrand Rødsrud is a polymer chemist and has been with Borregaard since 1995. In his current position as Technology Director Business Development he has a special responsibility for innovation management and funding. Specialties: business development, R&D funding, R&D management, plastics processing, surface chemistry, polymer chemistry, paint, lignins, bio-energy, biorefining, ESG.
HANS MAENHOUT
HANS MAENHOUT | FININDUS
Hans has been working as an investment director for Finindus since 2013. With a passion for technology and entrepreneurs, he is actively scouting for interesting investment opportunities in the key focus areas of Finindus and is assuming active board member roles post investment in Finindus’ portfolio companies. Through his network within ArcelorMittal he connects relevant technology companies with the right people within the world’s largest steel group.
Prior to joining Finindus, Hans was a CEO of a green-field start-up himself, and this after spending part of his career within the financial services (KBC Group) and the oil and gas industry (Texaco).
Hans holds a master degree in chemical engineering and has completed a number of executive education programs in M&A (Insead), corporate finance (EHSAL), international management (Vlerick), coaching, corporate law and risk management.
HEIKKI KOPONEN
HEIKKI KOPONEN | FORTUM
Heikki Koponen represents the Corporate Venturing arm of Fortum. Heikki is focused on scouting and evaluating startups in the energy and circular economy spaces. Heikki is an industrial engineer by training, and before joining Fortum worked as director of Business Development at a Power-to-Gas technology startup.
IIRO TIILIKAINEN
IIRO TIILIKAINEN | TAALERI
Iiro Tiilikainen joined Taaleri from Metso Outotec GmbH, where he was last responsible for the sales and maintenance services of the WtE plants. He has extensive experience in the energy industry and related technologies, markets and projects with deep expertise, especially in the areas of renewable energy. Prior to the above he worked for companies like ABB in Finland and in the UK in the fields of Energy Efficiency, consulting and maintenance sales as well as for steel industry in Finland.
Mr. Tiilikainen holds a Bachelor’s degree in energy from Helsinki University of Technology.
IRIS JENSEN
IRIS JENSEN | BAYWA R.E. ENERGY VENTURES
Iris has a diverse experience from the energy and environmental sectors combined with enthusiasm for listening to audiobooks while swimming.
JANEY MEHKS
JANEY MEHKS | INVEST STOCKHOLM
Janey Mehks is an experienced Business Development Manager at Invest Stockholm. Invest Stockholm is the official investment promotion agency of the Stockholm. As Head of Cleantech, Janey helps corporates and investors worldwide to find the innovators in the Stockholm region. She also supports foreign companies in their establishment process when entering the Stockholm market. Janey holds a master degree in economics from the University of Cologne.
JENNY HÄLLEN HEDBERG
JENNY HÄLLEN HEDBERG | LUXINNOVATION
Jenny Hällen Hedberg is the Head of International Business development at Luxinnovation in Luxembourg. Luxinnovation is an innovation agency working on behalf of the Ministry of economy and other stakeholders in Luxembourg. The international business development team identifies companies that can play a part in the diversification of the economy of Luxembourg, informs about the possibilities in Luxembourg as a gateway to the European continent, and tries to make them invest in the country. The companies should be in new tech, with a digital and sustainable angle.
Jenny has a long and extensive background in external relations and business development in universities, and as a marketing and sales manager in companies. She has worked and lived in Sweden, Norway, Hong Kong, Singapore and Luxembourg. Jenny has a bachelor degree from Lund University in Political science and East and Southeast Asian studies.
JENS BUSSE
JENS BUSSE | EVONIK VENTURE CAPITAL GmbH
Jens Busse has been Investment Manager at Evonik Venture Capital GmbH since 2015.
Jens has over 18 years of experience in the chemical industry with experience in process technology, membrane technology, hydrogen processing, process simulation, energy management, venture capital and portfolio management. He serves as a Supervisory Board member for a number of Evonik Venture Capital’s portfolio.
Previously, he was Head of the Development Line “Energy Generation” and Growth Area “Upstream Solutions” at Creavis, the strategic research department at Evonik Industries AG. He focused on the energetic use of biomass, the use of waste heat, membrane technology and regenerative hydrogen production.
Prior to starting his career working within the process technology department of Degussa in 2001, Jens studied mechanical engineering and process technology at the Ruhr University Bochum, where he earned his PhD in 2001 in the field of process synthesis.
JOEL GÖRSCH
JOEL GÖRSCH | BUSINESS REGION GOTHENBURG
Joel Görsch is responsible at Business Region Göteborg, for the regional investment promotion activities in the Automotive and Cleantech sectors since 2011. Prior to that he developed the first regional investment promotion activity in the field of Cleantech in Gothenburg region. He was also part of the first, Swedish national Cleantech investment promotion team (2008-2011). Joel holds an MSc in Environmental Science from University of Gothenburg.
JOOST WAETERLOOS
JOOST WAETERLOOS | DOW
Joost is member of the Scouting & Exploration Network in Dow’s Ventures and Business Development group. In this role, Joost is leading the European scouting efforts involving the researching and evaluation of technologies and opportunities that complement Dow’s robust Research & Development pipeline and contribute to the company’s long-term success.
His career with Dow started in 1998. He has been active in R&D, technical service, sales and commercial functions in the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific regions. He joined V&BD in 2006 with a primary focus on exploration project analysis and technology scouting. Since 2009 he is leading the corporate technology scouting activities in Europe. He earned two engineering master degrees and a Ph.D. in Applied Science from the University of Leuven. He has published over 50 journal and conference papers and authored a book chapter.
JÖRGEN BODIN
JÖRGEN BODIN | ALMI INVEST
Jörgen is Investment Manager at Almi Invest GreenTech, a fund focusing on investments in start-ups with potential to significantly reduce green house gas emissions.
He has previously worked in various positions in the energy industry, e.g. been the managing director for a biogas and vehicle fuel gas business in Scandinavia and during 10 years been the Director of Technology & Innovation in Renewables for E.ON globally. Jörgen holds a M.Sc. in Mechancial Engineering and a M.Sc. in Economics.
JOWITA SEWERSKA
JOWITA SEWERSKA | EUROPEAN CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY FUND
Jowita Sewerska is an investment professional involved in multiple transactions and investment projects. At ECBF she is mainly focused on FoodTech and Industrial Biotech areas, following exciting innovations and trends within these verticals. Jowita has a solid financial background, experienced in financial modelling and valuations, due diligence, deal structuring, investment documentation, negotiations, stakeholder management (representation in supervisory Boards). Moreover she has been engaged in deals from the perspective of equity and mezzanine, as well as debt holders. Her background includes degrees in Computer Science and Econometrics as well as in Quantitative Finance. Jowita is also a CFA charterholder.
JUSSI TEIJONSALO
JUSSI TEIJONSALO | GRID
Jussi is the managing director of Grid.vc – the first investor in superb teams disrupting the energy industry. Jussi has an extensive background in energy related deal advisory, as well as a CEO, CFO and strategy director in energy sector companies including Gasum Oy and GreenEnergy Finland Oy.
KAJSA JOHANSSON
KAJSA JOHANSSON | ETF PARTNERS
Kajsa is an Investment Associate at the Environmental Technologies Fund – A sustainability focused VC based in London investing across Europe. Prior to ETF, Kajsa was with Investec, working in their Financial Institutions team. She holds an MA in Management from University of St Andrews.
LAURITS BACH SØRENSEN
LAURITS BACH SØRENSEN | NORDIC ALPHA PARTNERS
Laurits Bach Sørensen brings +20 years of experience in spearheading personal startup’s, venture/growth businesses, corporate turnarounds & spinouts, private equity fund establishment, growth investments and operational investment value creation, incl. fronting multiple successful exits. Using NAPs self-developed strategic growth toolbox, Laurits as a Value Creation Partner, develops, implements and executes growth strategies, methodically tailored to generate controlled hypergrowth and accelerated value creation in portfolio companies.
Nordic Alpha Partners invest in innovative European hardtech companies, operating in the sweet spot of the industrial, digital and green transformation, is the driving force to achieve global economic sustainability.
MADELEINE GILBORNE
MADELEINE GILBORNE | ALFA LAVAL
Madeleine is Head of Clean Technologies and Vice President of the Energy Division including responsibility for Public affairs, investment and acquisitions as well as business development of applications such as Energy storage, Hydrogen, Power-to-X and Carbon Capture and Storage. Madeleine has been with Alfa Laval since 2014 and has had several positions related to strategy and business development.
MARKUS BERGLUND
MARKUS BERGLUND | INNO ENERGY
Markus joined InnoEnergy in 2017 and is based in the Stockholm office. Besides looking into new investment opportunities, Markus is primarily managing a part of InnoEnergy´s Nordic portfolio of equity investments; Ferroamp, Graphmatech and CaCharge to mention a few. Markus is an ex-entrepreneur who started his career in product design and manufacturing, working for multinationals in the automotive and telecom industries with taking new products to the market and industrializing their supply. Connecting the dots also from assessing uncountable and working with 25+ energy ventures on a variety of trajectories since 2011, he has developed a preference towards investing in deep tech ventures, also in hardware, before accelerating revenues and market traction make the investment opportunities obvious. Markus holds a MSc in Finance from Stockholm School of Economics and a Mechanical Engineering degree from KTH, Royal Institute of Technology.
MARTIN LERSCH
MARTIN LERSCH | BORREGAARD
Over more than 130 years in operation, Borregaard has developed into one of the world’s most advanced biorefineries. By using natural, sustainable raw materials, Borregaard produces advanced and environmentally friendly biochemicals that can replace oil-based products. Borregaard is now actively looking for investment opportunities to leverage the biorefining this biorefining competence. In particular we are looking for companies/technologies for conversion of biobased raw materials to chemicals and materials.
Martin Lersch holds a PhD in organometallic chemistry. He has worked in Borregaard since 2006 and is currently CTO Business Development. Specialties: business development, techno economic assessments, R&D management, biorefining, bioethanol, biobased chemicals, biovanillin, lignin performance chemicals, biomass pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, pilot, demo, scale-up, literature and patent searches, technical due diligence, IP management.
MAYA CHAUDHARI
MAYA CHAUDHARI | SKF
Maya Chaudhari is Cleantech Director at SKF, where her focus is on identifying technologies and companies that can have a notable environmental impact for SKF’s customers. SKF is a leading global supplier of Reliable Rotation, and its products and services are applied to machinery everywhere across 40 industries. SKF has put Sustainability at the core of its business, identified Cleantech as a strategic focus area, and is committed to providing customers with solutions that reduces environmental impact and energy consumption, and increases participation in the circular economy.
Maya has extensive international experience, having lived and worked in Sweden, USA and India. She is currently a mentor to start-ups founded by associates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA through MIT Venture Mentoring Services, and is a Charter Member of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), Boston Chapter, USA. Maya received her B.E. from Delhi University, MBA from Mumbai University and Sloan Masters in Leadership & Strategy from London Business School.
METIN ZERMAN
METIN ZERMAN | ENERGY 360º
Metin is an MBA-trained Engineer, who started his career within the automotive industry. During the last nine years he specialized in evaluating and supporting high-tech start-ups across multiple industries. For three years now he is an investment manager with Energie 360° AG and its Smart Energy Innovationsfonds AG, which invests strategically in early-stage start-ups within the CleanTech and sustainability sector with an emphasis on decarbonization and decentralization.
MICHAEL CLAES
MICHAEL CLAES | SABIC VENTURES
Michael Claes is Senior Technology Manager at SABIC Ventures where he leads SABIC’s global efforts in identifying and acquiring access to unproven technologies utilizing a variety of tools including Venture Investment, Licensing, Joint Development Arrangements, etc.
He is focusing on advanced materials, functional polymers & composites, alternative feedstock, and process, resources & energy efficiency technologies.
He got a PhD in polymer chemistry from University of Liege (Belgium) and fulfilled business education at Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Executive Management. Before joining SABIC Ventures, he acted as Chief Technology Officer and Head of Business Development within start-ups providing solutions for various industries (Automotive, E&E, semicon, Energy) based on specialty compounds.
MICHELLE NG
MICHELLE NG | NAMIER CAPITAL
Michelle is keenly passionate about the commercialisation of tech innovations for good. She has a diverse set of experiences spanning genetics, neuroscience, quantum materials, and is interested in all things disruptive tech. She holds a MSc in Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from the University of Cambridge. Prior to joining Namier Capital, Michelle has worked with the Institute of Deep Tech Entrepreneurship at Imperial College London, the Cambridge Capital Group, and led strategy and operations in several deep tech start-ups in both the UK and Canada.
MIKAEL HANNUS
MIKAEL HANNUS | STORA ENSO
Mikael is responsible for technology and investments in the biorefinery area within Stora Enso. The Biorefinery team exploits opportunities in new non-food based biomaterials and chemicals. With a long experience in a variety of biomass conversions and bioenergy as well as sales and purchasing of products and inputs to the forest products sector Mikael is eager to analyze and learn and support the business development of new cleantech cases.
MINNA KORPI
MINNA KORPI | NASDAQ
Minna Korpi is Director in Global Listing Services at Nasdaq Helsinki. She is working in the Nasdaq Nordic IPO team and also as a Relationship Manager for listed companies in Finland. She has been enthusiastically involved in several Nasdaq’s projects in developing the capital markets and facilitating the listing of growth companies as well as driving the sales of Nasdaq ESG offerings. Minna has been working with Nasdaq Helsinki since 2007 both within the IPO team and Corporate Solutions sales.
NEIL WILLIAMS
NEIL WILLIAMS | TILIX
Neil has a PhD from the Department of Computing & Electrical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. He has 30+ years of commercial experience in technology and innovation. He is a manager and maker with expertise in energy, cleantech, and mobility. For corporate clients, Neil is a management consultant, enterprise architect and project manager. He has 5+ years of experience as an angel investor and coach to start-ups and scale-ups.
NICK KENDALL
NICK KENDALL | BP VENTURES
Driven and ambitious professional with a passion for low carbon technologies and businesses. I am excited by the value that corporate venture investments can bring in our transition to a low carbon future.
Experience in Advanced Mobility and electrification, and strong engineering and analytical foundations from 8 years varied and international experience as an drilling engineer in the oil & gas industry. Further experience as an offshore Well Site Leader on a deepwater drillship in Angola.
NICOLAS MILERIOUX
NICOLAS MILERIOUX | ENCEVO
Nicolas leads the Venture Capital efforts at Encevo. As such, he is responsible of scouting and selecting innovative solutions for our business units across the entire Encevo Group as well as, when relevant, conduct a number of hand-picked equity in early stage companies on the European market and preferably at Series A stage.
The Encevo Group serves clients in Luxembourg, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is present all along the energy value chain, from production, storage, supply, transport to trading, distribution and services. Encevo actively helps shaping the transition to a sustainable energy sector by embracing technology, deploying innovative solutions and partnering up with local communities.
NINA HEIR
NINA HEIR | KATAPULT
Nina Heir is Partner and COO of Katapult VC, and the CEO of Katapult’s climate vertical. Nina is on a mission to use the investment to drive innovation that solves the world’s greatest challenges. Nina has extensive experience in both venture capital and the impact investment space. She is a member of the Leaders for Climate Action community, the FightBack Community, and The Global Women in VC community. She is passionate about using tech for good, and she is a true expert in how to fast-track companies that are building a better future for people and the planet.
PÅL ROMBERG
PÅL ROMBERG | BORREGAARD
Over more than 130 years in operation, Borregaard has developed into one of the world’s most advanced biorefineries. By using natural, sustainable raw materials, Borregaard produces advanced and environmentally friendly biochemicals that can replace oil-based products. Borregaard is now actively looking for investment opportunities to leverage the biorefining this biorefining competence. In particular we are looking for companies/technologies for conversion of biobased raw materials to chemicals and materials.
Pål Romberg holds an MBA and has been with Borregaard since 1995. His current position is Director Acquisitions and New investments. He has a vast international, commercial and strategic experience. Specialties: market know how, building business relationships and creativity.
Pål Romberg holds an MBA and has been with Borregaard since 1995. His current position is Director Acquisitions and New investments. He has a vast international, commercial and strategic experience. Specialties: market know how, building business relationships and creativity.
PER ANELL
PER ANELL | INDUSTRIFONDEN
Per believes it’s important to focus on maximizing possibilities rather than minimizing risks. Over the years he’s spent working with early-stage investments, he’s learned not to wait for problems to show up. His advice is to make sure you always have a backup plan ready to go. Per gravitates towards investments with a highly technical nature, including the Internet of Things and other emerging technology. But the most important thing for him is finding an idea he can relate to, be it solving the future energy demand or making people happier.
Per joined Industrifonden in 2014. He started his career as an IP consultant, moved into robotics and automation and then later joined startups Proximion Fiber Optics and Mamea Imaging where he held different senior positions. Since entering the venture capital industry in 2008 he has gained years of experience from board management. Recent experience from exit processes includes Movimento, sold to Delphi Automotive, and Fält Communications, sold to Telia. Per holds a Master of Science in Engineering from Lund University.
PETER VANLAEKE
PETER VANLAEKE | SOLVAY
Peter is investment manager at Solvay Ventures the venture capital arm of the Solvay Group, a global leader in specialty chemicals and advanced materials. Established in 2004, with offices in Brussels, Paris, San Francisco, New York and Shanghai, Solvay Ventures has over $100m assets under management. Managing a portfolio of funds and direct investments to support the Group’s innovation efforts. In addition to providing capital to start-up companies, Solvay Ventures leverages Solvay capabilities and network to generate business synergies and partnerships between the start-ups and Solvay’s BUs and Innovation Platforms. Prior to joining Solvay, Peter worked at a startup company active in the field of photovoltaics. Peter has obtained an MBA from Vlerick Business School and holds both an engineering degree and a PhD in Physics from IMEC.
RAAMU MONEYAM
RAAMU MONEYAM | BAYWA R.E. ENERGY VENTURES
Raamu has years of project experience in the energy and marine ecosystems, and he is passionate about supporting startups getting off the ground.
RICHARD RIGGS
RICHARD RIGGS | SAUDI ARAMCO ENERGY VENTURES
Richard Riggs is an investment professional at Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), the corporate venturing subsidiary of Aramco, the Saudi Arabian national oil company. SAEV invests broadly across the industrial energy value chain, with a current emphasis on digital and sustainability technologies. Prior to joining SAEV Richard has been with BASF Venture Capital and various technical positions within BASF’s research centre. Richard’s Masters and Doctorate degrees are in chemistry from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.
ROALD BREKKHUS
ROALD BREKKHUS | EVINY VENTURES
Investment Manager at Eviny Ventures. Serial entrepreneur with multiple exits from software, SaaS and tech-industry. 15+ years investing experience.
SUSANNE GLØERSEN
SUSANNE GLØERSEN | SEB
Susanne Gløersen is Head of Climate and Sustainable Finance in SEB Norway.
She has extensive experience from sustainability and the financial sector, having worked with this for ten years.
Previous work experience includes sustainability strategist in Formuesforvaltning, Nordeas Nordic team for sustainable investments, her own consultancy SustanableInsight and Carnegie.
Susanne has also co-founded Norsif (Norwegian Association for Sustainable and Responsible investments). She has a big passion for venture and the need to scale sustainable tech solutions to accelerate the green shift, and currently she sits on he board of the sustainable e-mobility company HAYK and ClevAir which delivers solutions to improve energy efficiency in real estate. She is also a mentor to the Katapult accelerators, Antler and Climate-KIC.
Susanne has a Master in Economics and Business Administration from Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) where she focused on sustainability, studies from Monterey School of International Studies in the US and a bachelor in Economics and Business Administration from BI Norwegian School of Business.
THOMAS JANSSEUNE
THOMAS JANSSEUNE | UMICORE
Thomas is senior vice-president responsible for new business incubation, digitalization and venture capital at Umicore, a global materials technology company active in non-ferrous metals recycling, catalysis and rechargeable batteries. Previously he has been general manager of a factory in Canada and in Taiwan. He holds a PhD in chemical engineering and has done postgraduate studies in finance and business management.
TIM WOODCOCK
TIM WOODCOCK | EQUINOR
Tim Woodcock is a Senior Investment Manager at Equinor Ventures. Equinor Ventures are a strategic, corporate venture capital fund of 750 MUSD, investing from seed to growth stages across global geographies. Tim has worked in the energy transition sector since 2010 in startups and large enterprises across the value chain in renewables, storage, and commodities markets.
TOMAS KEMTYS
TOMAS KEMTYS | CONTRARIAN VENTURES
Tomas Kemtys is a General Partner at Contrarian Ventures. He is involved in all the various things related to running the fund and is also sitting on multiple Boards of Contrarian Ventures portfolio companies.
Before Contrarian Ventures he was an investment banker with Centerview Partners, a leading independent New York and London based advisory firm. Tomas has executed multiple billion-dollar transactions in various industries across the UK, Israel, Jordan, South Africa and the USA.
Other experience includes various positions in BNP Paribas, Société Générale and British Petroleum. His alma maters are: ESADE Business School, University of California San Diego and University of Glasgow.
TUOMAS OKSANEN
TUOMAS OKSANEN | GRID.VC
Experienced Financial Director with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Business Development, Fintech, Digitalization, Sales Management and Corporate Finance. Strong finance professional with a Master’s degree focused in Management Accounting, Finance and Economics from Aalto University.
ULF BOJÖ
ULF BOJÖ | NEFCO
Mr Bojö is Vice President at the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation, Nefco, an international financial institution created by the five Nordic countries. His responsibilities cover deal sourcing, execution and portfolio management. Nefco finances Nordic SMEs aiming at global expansion of new technologies with significant potential to create positive climate or other environmental impacts on international markets, relevant to the Nordic countries. Mr Bojö has previously worked as Sweden’s Representative in EBRD’s Supervisory Board for the venture capital fund Norum, Programme Manager for Sweden’s cooperation with the World Bank within district heating and Consul at Sweden’s Consulate General in Saint Petersburg.
VALERY PRUNIER
VALERY PRUNIER | EDF
Valery started his career at EDF, focusing mostly on R&D related to generation (nuclear and fossil) and distribution. As his interests evolved towards international collaboration and leverage, he became one of the founders of NUGENIA, an integrated framework for Nuclear R&D. Valery spent eight years working in the USA. Most recently he undertook the post of Innovation Director for North America serving the whole EDF Group. Valery is now back in Paris with the same position for Europe and the Middle East. Apart from many other assignments he also tried to move the lines by being active in politics, as mayor of a French village for six years. Valery is a graduate of ESPCI Paris cum laude.
VANESSA ZACCARI
VANESSA ZACCARI | CONTARINI
Since 2004 Vanessa Zaccari has been Sales Area Manager in hydraulic components sectors, widely used in waste industry, sustainable farming and wind energy.
Operating especially in Northern Europe, Latin America, South Africa and Israel. In 2019 she co-founded Ada Capital Group, a private equity and venture capital fund, for which she mainly deals with the scouting of innovative start-ups.
VIDAR KRISTOFFER STRAT
VIDAR KRISTOFFER SRAT | AGDER ENERGI VENTURE
Vidar is Investment Manager in Agder Energi Invest and contributes in most company operations with focus on screening and analysing new investments in addition to being board member in three portfolio companies. He has a background from Investment Banking in First Securities and ABG Sundal Collier where he worked as an equity analyst for 6,5 years. His sector experience includes equity strategy, shipping and rig, but his main focus was on the seafood sector.
WOUTER VAN DE PUTTE
WOUTER VAN DE PUTTE | CAPRICORN PARTNERS
As an Investment Associate at Capricorn Partners, Wouter has a particular interest in agricultural, resource and chemical technologies, including data-based insights & advanced algorithms to support molecule discovery and process performance & efficiency. He is currently involved in the Capricorn Sustainable Chemistry Fund.
Wouter holds a MSc in bioscience engineering (KULeuven) and an MBA from Flanders Business School (KULeuven). He has corporate experience in the environmental remediation industry as well as the agro-biotechnology sector where he held roles in product engineering & project management.
Why should you participate?
Why should you participate?
Join us for free and pitch in our events with investors and industrials
- Nordic Camp at Smygehus Havsbad – For selected Top25 companies
- Nordic Cleantech Open Top10 Finals
2 days of a very relaxed and social agenda, an opportunity
to have enough time to present your company and make new connections.
to have enough time to present your company and make new connections.
Gain global visibility among investors and industrial actors from all around the world
Our past Final events had ~200 participants from all over the world!
All applicants get valuable feedback from our expert jury: they will assess your innovation, market potential and ability to execute
To your mailbox, an opportunity to hear what your potential investors or customers really think so you can improve!
All Top25 companies get a full description in our widely distributed Top25 Report
All applicants are added to the Cleantech Scandinavia platform, where industry and investors regularly search for innovations and investment opportunities
Your data will be accessible for all our members in our platform and it’s also a great way for us to have you in the loop to invite to other ongoing opportunities.
Get Inspired!
Get Inspired!
Learn more about the TOP 25 companies!
Check out who has been selected TOP 25 on the 11th edition – 2022
Did you know…
…that the TOP 25 selected companies get a spotlight place in our yearly report, accessed by hundreds of investors?
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