What Early-Stage VCs Look for in Nordic B2B Founders w/ Rune Hven-Jensen

Feb 18, 10:00 – 11:00 AM (UTC)

Stockholm

Rune Hven-Jensen, General Partner at Ugly Duckling Ventures, joins Startup Grind to share firsthand insights into how early-stage VCs evaluate Nordic B2B founders.

Virtual event
Fireside Chat

About this event

Nordics have built a strong reputation for world-class startups. 

But when it comes to raising capital, what truly separates companies that get funded from those that don’t?

In this fireside chat, Rune Hven-Jensen, General Partner at Ugly Duckling Ventures, joins Startup Grind to share firsthand insights into how early-stage VCs evaluate Nordic B2B founders.

We’ll explore:

  • What early-stage VCs really look for at pre-seed and seed
  • How traction, MRR, and momentum are evaluated in Nordic B2B
  • Founder and team qualities that stand out early
  • What makes a round lead- or co-lead–ready
  • How founders earn follow-on capital and long-term support
  • Common mistakes founders make when pitching early

Whether you're a first-time founder, an operator preparing to fundraise, or scaling a B2B subscription company, this session offers practical, unfiltered insights straight from the investor’s perspective.

The session will be moderated by Naimul Abd – Regional Director Nordics at Startup Grind, CEO at Connect East, SweBAN, Nutty Ventures, and BRIM, and Nordics lead for Founder Institute and Founders Live.

Check out what happened

Speaker

  • Rune Hven-Jensen

    Ugly Duckling Ventures

    Co-Founder & General Partner

Organizers

  • Naimul Abd

    Startup Grind

    Regional Director Nordics Startup Grind

  • Peggie K. Ovesen

    Startup Grind Stockholm

    Partnerships Lead

Global sponsor

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Carta

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