The Norwegian startup ecosystem has experienced rapid growth in recent years, especially in early-stage investments. Cecilie Skjong, an investment manager at Skyfall Ventures, shared her journey in the Nordic tech scene, highlighting how Norway's market has become a magnet for both local and international investors. “Over the past decade, there’s been a real boom in early-stage investments here in Norway,” she noted, pointing to an increase in funding and support structures for tech startups.

At Skyfall Ventures, the investment focus centers on founders and their teams more than anything else. Cecilie emphasized, “When you’re investing at the pre-seed or seed stage, it’s almost all about the team and their vision.” Early-stage investments come with many unknowns, and for Skyfall Ventures, the founders’ commitment and passion are paramount. This focus on team dynamics reflects Norway’s unique, people-first investment culture.

Skyfall Ventures embraces a generalist investment strategy, supporting companies across various sectors, from e-commerce to climate tech. “Our common denominator is software or software-enabled hardware,” Cecilie explained. This approach allows them to back a diverse range of startups, fueling innovation across different fields within the Norwegian startup ecosystem. By not limiting themselves to one niche, they provide crucial support to companies that might otherwise struggle to gain traction.

Norway’s small population size encourages startups to think internationally from the start. Cecilie highlighted that Skyfall encourages founders to scale globally early on, given the limited local market. “Companies that embrace a global mindset early are seeing the most success,” she shared, underscoring Norway’s competitive advantage. By targeting international markets, Norwegian startups can accelerate growth, making the region a global leader in tech innovation.

Despite Norway's reputation as a progressive country, female-led startups still receive less funding than their male counterparts. Cecilie discussed how Skyfall is committed to supporting female founders, noting recent investments in companies led by talented female CEOs and engineers. “We’re not investing in them because they’re female founders, but because they’re exceptional,” she emphasized. Skyfall’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity is a vital part of its mission to create a more balanced Norwegian startup ecosystem.

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Find Cecilie on:

LinkedIn: Cecilie Skjong

Skyfall Ventures website: skyfall.vc

Find Ben on:

LinkedIn: Ben Costantini

Twitter/X: @bencostantini

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