Thomas Panton’s Post

🌟 Reflections on Oslo Innovation Week 🌟 What an amazing three days in Oslo! 😍 Although I was only able to attend the first half of the Innovation Week, I walked away energized from all the insights, learnings and thought-provoking discussions. A few key takeaways stood out: 💡 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your vision is key. As they say, you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with, so make sure those are the people that support you to reach new heights. 💥 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦. It’s about taking risks, thinking big, and having the courage to pursue opportunities that don’t yet exist. Founders need to be able to imagine a bold future and then create a credible roadmap on how to get there. 🎯𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. Securing funding isn’t just about the pitch; it’s about building strong relationships, understanding what investors are looking for, and demonstrating the right momentum. Whether it's finding the right venture capital fit or leveraging your early-stage investors for introductions, strategy and timing are everything. One of the highlights of the week was the panel discussion I had with Viktoria Hensler, Anna Munthe-Kaas and Lars Johan Bjørkevoll about building an optimal environment for impact startups in the Nordics. It reminded me that we’re all part of something bigger than ourselves, and that while it’s the collective effort that will continue to push sustainable innovation forward in Nordics and beyond, we all need to act as individuals as well. Finally, a huge shoutout to the incredible people I got to meet in all the many events. It’s clear that the future of the Nordic startup ecosystem is bright, bold, and full of opportunities. Here’s to taking more risks, dreaming bigger, and doing everything we can to build a future we can all be proud of! 🚀 #OsloInnovationWeek #StartupEcosystem #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #NordicInnovation #RiskTaking #GrowthMindset

Climbing the summit-less peak 🏔️ In the world of startups, the climb is eternal, and the peak is a mirage. Each summit conquered reveals a higher one, obscured by the clouds of uncertainty and the fog of competition. This relentless ascent is not for the faint-hearted. It demands resilience, adaptability, and an insatiable thirst for challenges. As someone who’s becoming a seasoned explorer in this terrain, you witness firsthand the grit and determination required to navigate the steep slopes of innovation and the treacherous paths of market dynamics. It’s a journey where the thrill of the climb is interspersed with moments of sheer exhilaration and bouts of daunting setbacks. The beauty of this journey, however, lies in its unpredictability. Every twist and turn brings new lessons, each setback a hidden opportunity. It’s a journey that molds you, not just as a founder, but as a relentless pursuer of the extraordinary. ⭐️ To my fellow climbers in the startup world, remember that the mountain we climb has no peak. It’s an infinite ascent where every step forward is a victory in itself. Embrace the journey, cherish the moments, and keep climbing, for the greatest rewards lie not in reaching the summit, but in the climb itself. 🫡 #founderstories #startuplife #phoenix #founderjourney

🌟 Excited to announce some of our amazing speakers for the #EthicalAssembly2024! 🌟 ✨ Francesco Rocca from Impact Hub Lisbon: Impact Hub is the largest network of social entrepreneurs globally present in more than 110 cities and with over 16,000 members. The Lisbon Hub has a clear focus on Impact Entrepreneurship, #CircularEconomy, Sustainability and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and its mission is to accelerate the transition to a new economy where people and planet thrive. Over the past 7 years, Francesco has provided strategic leadership, overseen the expansion of physical spaces and managed relationships with the local community and stakeholders globally. ✨ Marina Schmidt 🍎🍏 from Red to Green: Marina Schmidt is an acclaimed climate educator and founder of the impact media outlet R2G Media, an in-depth content studio specializing in #Agriculture and food sustainability. Her flagship podcast, Red To Green, is ranked in the top 5% globally and has a loyal listenership in over 160 countries. It is obligatory onboarding material for new hires at several VCs and startups and is deemed 'excellent' by MIT. ✨ Alice Segre from maze impact: Alice represents MAZE, an #ImpactInvestment firm that offers a toolbox to everyone committed to delivering positive social and environmental outcomes. With close to 30M successfully invested to date, MAZE distinguishes itself as a leading early-stage funding program for impact-driven startups. Join us and learn how MAZE is supporting new teams dedicated to making a positive difference in the world through innovative solutions and sustainable practices. Grab a ticket and roll up your sleeves! We’ve got work to do #climateaction. 🚀🌍 #SustainableFuture #Innovation #CommunityBuilding #Inspiration #ImpactHub #RedToGreen #MazeX

Today, 4 months after having returned from our circumnavigation, I am delighted to announce the founding of BluKap, a venture capital firm targeting early-stage investments in outstanding entrepreneurs and impact startups of the Blue Economy. With co-founders, Patricio Jutard, Henry Gazay and Jean-Francois Trecco - three of us being circumnavigators - we share a deep passion for the Ocean and a track record spanning from creating unicorns, exiting ventures to Fortune 500 firms, developing fast growth strategies and scaling companies at the global level. Our group also boasts over a decade of business angel and panelists expertise within the international network of the Blue Economy. Together we want to unlock the Ocean's potential by investing with a global mandate along four verticals: Blue Nutrition, Blue Technology & Data, Blue Transportation and Blue Biotechnology. The Ocean is a fascinating place. It covers 71% of the Planet and harbors 95% of all living organisms, playing a vital role for our planet. It also absorbs over 90% of excess planetary heat and produces half of atmosphere oxygen. As a standalone economy - the Blue Economy – it is worth an estimated 2.5 trillion USD annually, ranking seventh largest in the world.  The Blue Economy has historically been characterized by sluggish technological innovation, and a disregard for the environmental consequences of its activities. It is time for a change – driven by visionary entrepreneurs, a burgeoning global venture capital sector, strategic alliances, and a favorable regulatory environment, the Blue Economy is undergoing a transformative shift - and BluKap is riding this wave. BluKap is incorporated in the US with local hubs in Buenos Aires, Miami, Paris & Stockholm. Follow our journey at www.blukap.vc or reach out for more information on this new adventure! #blueeconomy #oceaneconomy #oceantech #venturecapital #innovation #sustainability

How can #startups and #consulting come together to drive innovation and growth? 🤔 Just a few days ago, I had the chance to join this engaging event at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) with Alessio Boceda and Giulia D'Amato (Co-founders of Startup Geeks), Gabriele Montelisciani (Co-Founder & CEO of Zerynth), Angelo Sergio Zamboni (Co-founder & Co-CEO of Jobtech), Edmondo Sparano (Chief Digital Officer at Digital Magics), and Matteo Romano, Partner at BCG. The conversation touched upon different aspects of startups and consulting, discussing topics like tackling tricky markets and staying (or trying to stay) ahead of industry trends, while also being well aware of common failure points such as having a great idea but lacking sufficient market potential. One thing that I believe really stood out was the role of big consulting firms in supporting startups through every stage of their journey, from early stages to market strategy development and beyond. Overall, it has been interesting to witness the potential for collaboration between startups and consulting firms, not just to work together but also to make a difference in today's and tomorrow's business landscape.

Grateful for the enriching experience at START Summit 2024 in St. Gallen, I'm excited to share some pivotal insights from this year's theme, "Dare to Evolve". The event was a melting pot of inspiration, igniting innovative ideas, sparking personal epiphanies, and fostering invaluable exchanges. Here are some key takeaways that resonated deeply with me: Thank you Judith Dada for your thought-provoking insights: • Embrace intellectual honesty: "I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it yet, but let’s do it together now." • Pursue disciplines that teach critical thinking, questioning established knowledge, and forging new understanding. • Align your passion with your profession to render discussions about work-life balance obsolete. Recognize the privilege in choosing your path, particularly if you've had the opportunity to pursue higher education. • Leadership isn't confined to managerial roles; worthiness transcends titles. During the candid #CavalryVentures breakfast, discussions challenged my biases and offered a glimpse into a future where gender roles in childcare are redefined. Gratitude to Björn W. Schäfer, Jesse Jeng, and Michael Cassau for shedding light on this evolving landscape. Insights from stage sessions were equally enlightening: • Advocate for increased government support for innovation and startups in Europe. • Maybe humans are not qualified to manage their own or the planet’s well-being. Is AI? • Surround yourself with quality team members; good people attract good people. • While capital is abundant, founding a successful company requires diligence and vision. • Founders should prioritize product development over fundraising, regardless of funding raised. • Invest into startups - not only as a company but also as a private person - to connect to the inspiring startup world and learn from founders and investors. Thank you Martin Grosse for your expertise shared about social media and good luck for #koenigsklasse. START Summit 2024 was a testament to the power of evolution, both personal and professional. I'm deeply grateful for the inspiring individuals I had the privilege to engage with and eagerly anticipate our collective journey of daring to evolve together. #STARTSummit #DareToEvolve #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Reflections

Meet us next week! 👋 We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Sveriges Innovationsriksdagen, where we will be hosting a breakout session on May 14th from 13.00 to 14.15. Innovationsriksdagen is the main gathering for incubators and science parks across Sweden, organized by SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks. Described as "Sweden's foremost meeting place for actors working to promote, strengthen, and develop innovation and business," it's where the magic of collaboration happens! ✨ Session Spotlight: "From Sweden to the World: Attracting Capital to Climate Tech & Sustain Tech Startups!" 🌍 Sweden stands tall as a global pioneer in sustainable and climate technologies, and early-stage investments play a vital role in propelling startups to monumental success. Join the moderator, our Head of Partnerships Maria Lindholm, as she directs the discussion around strategies to effectively showcase Swedish startups, making them more attractive to investors worldwide. Moreover, she'll explore our collective role in guiding these companies through the intricate web of international investment processes. 🎤 Panelists: Klementina Österberg, CEO, GU Ventures Tobias Mård, Co-founder, Omocom Christopher Engman, Co-founder, Megadeals Alfredo Jollon, Investor and dCEO, LEVELS Martina Hegestig, Business Operations Manager, LEAD (Business Incubator), Leadership Committee, Swedish Climate Startup Map Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of the conversation shaping the future of sustainable innovation! Mark your calendars and see you there! #foreverforward #esg #sustainability #innovation #investment #swedentech #climatetech #susteintech

If you're in #Lisbon next week 24th July. check below and join me for Startup Grind Lisbon. Love the #IsaacNewton Inspiration #mentoring #investing #angelinvest #founders #VC #innovation #entrepreneurship

Spring is here, and InnovateNordics is just around the corner!🌱 SACCNY, together with EY is calling on all Nordic companies with a focus on sustainability and innovation to apply for InnovateNordics, our Acceleration Program and Investor Summit.   Spearheaded by SACCNY’s carefully selected professionals and facilitated by industry experts in the U.S., the InnovateNordics program provides invaluable insights and expert advice through a series of carefully selected workshops. Additionally, participants gain access to SACCNY’s unparalleled network of Nordic and global corporations, mentors, and investors.   Companies accepted into the program will participate in the InnovateNordics pitch competition in Stockholm and New York. There, they will compete for the prestigious SACCNY&EY InnovateNordics Award, which includes a one-year membership and access to SACCNY’s premium workspace, Gateway, at 900 3rd Avenue, New York.   Worried about cost? Our valued partner, EY, will sponsor the program fee for all accepted companies (excluding accommodation and travel expenses)!🌎🌎🌎   Apply by June 10th through for a chance to be an InnovateNordics Company: https://lnkd.in/du4Frf62 #Accelerationprogram #Startups #Nordics #Innovation

Today, 4 months after having completed the globe circumnavigation, I am delighted to announce the founding of BluKap, a venture capital firm targeting investments in outstanding entrepreneurs and impact startups of the Blue Economy. With co-founders, Patricio Jutard, Klas Johansen and Jean-Francois Trecco, three of us being circumnavigators, we share a deep passion for the Ocean and a track record spanning from creating unicorns, exiting ventures to Fortune 500 firms, developing fast growth strategies and scaling companies at the global level. Our group also boasts over a decade of business angel and panelists expertise within the international network of the Blue Economy. Together we want to unlock the Ocean's potential by investing with a global mandate along four verticals: Blue Nutrition, Blue Technology & Data, Blue Transportation and Blue Biotechnology. The Ocean is a fascinating place. It covers 71% of the Planet and harbors 95% of all living organisms, playing a vital role for our planet. It also absorbs over 90% of excess planetary heat and produces half of atmosphere oxygen. As a standalone economy - the Blue Economy – it is worth an estimated 2.5 trillion USD annually, ranking seventh largest in the world. The Blue Economy has historically been characterized by sluggish technological innovation and a disregard for the environmental consequences of its activities. It is time for a change – Driven by visionary entrepreneurs, a burgeoning global venture capital sector, strategic alliances, and a favorable regulatory environment, the Blue Economy is undergoing a transformative shift - and BluKap is riding this wave. BluKap is incorporated in the US with local hubs in Buenos Aires, Miami, Paris & Stockholm. Follow our journey at www.blukap.vc or reach out for more information on this new adventure! #blueeconomy #oceaneconomy #oceantech #venturecapital #innovation #sustainability