Dr. Jørgen Thorball – Managing Partner, XO Ventures

I met Dr. Thorball at a Mini Seedcamp event in Gothenburg where he sat on a panel about boardmembership.  In the video interview below, he talks about his venture fund, XO Partners, why it’s different than other funds and business angels and how to challenge entrepreneurs in a constructive manner.

“Most entrepreneurs are literally on the brink of collapse both physically and emotionally and you as an investor need to be their safety net.”

-Dr. Jørgen Thorball

Thomas Frederiksen – Serial entrepreneur

I sat down with Thomas in his office in Østerbro and he shared his views on what it takes to run a successful startup, how to spot an entrepreneur and what his new venture, Preseed, is about.

“Becoming an entrepreneur is very much about personality.”

- Thomas Frederiksen

Jeff Snider – Principal at Next Stage (USA)

Jeff had a quick Skype chat with me from his office in Silicon Valley. Next time he’s in Denmark we’re doing a follow up video interview. (June 2009)

“There are huge challenges to being based in Denmark. I am a big believer in the Israeli model where you build an R&D competence in the home market but target the company at the US market.  Their model is based on the headquarters being in the US with an American CEO, VP Sales, VP Marketing and the R&D organisation being the subsidiary.”

-Jeff Snider 

Eric-Alan Rapp, Partner, Sunstone Capital

Alex Farcet (Q): Can you give me a short bio?  What’s your background and why did you end up in Denmark?

Eric-Alan Rapp (A): Have lived in Europe for a total of, what, 16 years all together now.
5 years in France off and on, back to the States and then DK since 97.
After 2 years background started in commercial banking.
After 2 years in France, started commercial banking in 80s in Chicago, then got my MBA in France 91 and started doing M&A work.

Christian Motzfeldt – Director, Vækstfonden

I cornered Christian Motzfeldt at the 2008 annual Vaekstfonden meeting and he kindly accepted that we schedule an interview.  I was later able to spend an hour with him talking about Danish entrepreneurial history, Vaekstfonden’s mission and what he looks for in an investment proposal. (May 2008)

Gorm Petersen – Danish Venture Capital Association

Gorm Petersen and I chatted over Skype about the role of the Danish Venture Capital Association.

Alex Farcet (Q):  What is the DVCA?

Gorm Petersen (A):  The Danish Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (DVCA) is a member association for a broad range of high technological investors in Denmark.  It was founded in 2000 and its goal is to strengthen its members’ businesses, networks and competences.
 

Jacob Bratting Pedersen – Investment Director, Northcap Partners

Networking on the move:  Jacob Bratting Pedersen and I met whilst riding our bikes home from a Connect Denmark event!  Jacob is highly  approachable and is close the Danish start up scene.  He and I spent some time chatting with on Skype in July 2008.

Thomas Mathiasen – Innovation Consultant

I met Thomas Mathiasen at a Connect Denmark event and I peppered him with questions about being an independent consultant.  He also agreed to do a Skype chat with me and we spoke about his role as an innovation consultant. (Sept. 2008)

John Heebøll – Associate Professor, DTU

I sat in on John Heebøll’s ‘Knowledgebased Entrepreneurship’ course at DTU and have since been a coach to the PhD and Masters students who take the course.  John is dedicated to improving conditions in Denmark for entrepreneurs.  This is the compendium of a Skype interview held over several different sessions.  (Oct. 2008)

Søren Jonas Bruun – CEO, 1st Corporate Technologies

I sat down with Søren Jonas Bruun at the 1st Corporate Technologies offices in downtown Copenhagen.   Søren is straightforward and uses creative analogies to get his point across.  A candid interview.  (September 2008)