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Fredrik Winther
CEO Katapult Group/ Managing Partner at 2M2D
Fredrik Winther is the CEO of Katapult Group, an early-stage impact investment and accelerator vehicle that focuses on highly scalable impact tech startups. Under his leadership, Katapult manages approximately 150 million NOK across seven funds and has supported around 90 companies in 32 countries since its inception in 2017. The organization has also launched eight flagship accelerator programs and three corporate accelerators.1
Winther is a graduate of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and has a background as an investor, having previously invested in various startups, including Otovo. He is also involved with the Katapult Foundation, which encompasses initiatives like Katapult Future Fest and the Nordic Investment Network.25
In addition to his role at Katapult, Winther serves as a managing partner and chair at 2M2D.no and holds board positions in other organizations such as Polyteknisk.45 His professional network includes over 7,000 followers on LinkedIn, where he actively shares insights related to impact investing and startup development.3
Highlights
What constitutes great founders? Is the data about to change?
This is the billion-dollar question for any early-stage investors. At the same time, surprisingly little is understood and researched. In essence, it is about humans understanding humans, and will never be fully unlocked, although some data-based models work better. Lately, exponentially more data has been generated, and better models are created monthly. Like the one pictured below from Endeavour, and shared by Rubén D. in The VC Corner.
Adding to the complexity, a growing media hype on tech founders accelerates biased perceptions and strengthens the effect of mistaking what is most visible as representative facts. The data clearly shows that the most visible stereotypes are not predictors of success. I.e the Defiance Capitals analysis of 2000 unicorn founders almost 70% have "underdog founders", not represented in the popular image, and as many as 17% have a female founder in 2023. Up from close to zero a decade ago. As reported by Mike Butcher ✍️ and TechCrunch on this study, many are in the category of "ambitious rebels" motivated by a greater cause. The all-white, male, Ivy League archetype is less normal with only 11% in the 2023 numbers.
When looking for impact, the founder's intentionality and motivation are important. At Katapults and NorthStar Impact Analytics toolset, we have identified "impact intentionality signals" used to indicate the impact motivation. Indicating impact determination and intentionality as a proxy for both success as well as less risk of pivoting into the wrong side of the future. What you should look for are determined and highly motivated founders, with dedication to impact.
One could add to this what David Epstein lays out in his latest book on "Why Generalists Triuphf in a Specialist World" that great founders are also generalists thriving in focused environments of specialists. By nature, they come with a multitude of backgrounds and personality types (Recommended interview and podcast with Nicolai Tangen here: https://lnkd.in/dkZbPWrq)
In short, technology changes, market changes, business models change - and founders remain.
Eva De Mol Ph.D Janneke Niessen Dr. Andre Retterath Alexander Fred-Ojala Fredrik Thomassen Johan Attby Tharald Nustad Espen Skorstad Trond Riiber Knudsen Christian Rangen Per A Marum Fredrik Thomassen Martin Falch Håkon Haugli
Scaling climate hardware startups is critical - with existential urgency - to tackle climate goals.
Currently, there is a significant need for more shared models, language, and understandings among founders, industry leaders, and investors backing hardware tech.
Luckily great community efforts and collaborative partnerships are pooling resources to push new insights. This week marked the launch of an insightful Playbook initiative by our friends at Norrsken VC, Speedinvest, Planet A Ventures with data from Net Zero Insights.
Climate tech has generated healthy global competition between regions on support mechanisms and policies It's attracting top tech and purpose-driven talents. Additionally, iteration cycles are being fueled and accelerated by recent software development. Together, these elements are pushing promising potential and tailwinds for investments into hardware.
Thanks for this collaborative effort!
Florian Schabus Jessica Burley Funda Sezgi Christian zu Jeddeloh Andrea Canepa
Katapult Future Fest Katapult Foundation Katapult Ocean Tharald Nustad Jonas Skattum Svegaarden Kristin Aamodt Claes Mikko Nilsen Andy Lurling Martijn Balder Climate50 NorthStar IA Tomas Kemtys Christian Rangen Johan Attby Eva De Mol Ph.D
