Ken Villum Klausen

Excited to announce that I’ll be speaking at the Nordic SEO Summit 2025 in Helsinki! 🇫🇮 I hope to see many of you! Ill be sharing insights from a 14 years long SEO career, transitioning from agency to inhouse SEO Lead in Nordea Here, anchoring SEO into company culture has been a key focus area to succed with and I hope that my insights and journey, can inspire you on your journey - regardless of your level. #SEO #SEOconference #SEOjourney #SEOinspiration #practicalSEOtips #shareSEOlove

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Copenhagen-based ZTLment secures €2.4 million to replace outdated banking infrastructures Copenhagen-based fintech ZTLment announced it has raised €2.4 million in total pre-seed funding from investors PreSeed Ventures, Upfin, Giant Ventures, and strong business angels. With the fresh capital, ZTLment aims to eliminate the need for outdated banking infrastructures once and for all and make it easy to make programmable and peer-to-peer payments. The Danish fintech has made waves as the first in Europe to pioneer compliant wallet infrastructure on decentralized rails for ordering- and booking platforms. Led by the three co-founders, Mads Stolberg-Mathieu, Harry Kearney, and Jason Spasovski, the company is the first in Europe to figure out how to do fiat money transfers on decentralized rails in end-to-end compliance with Europe’s open banking law. Founded in 2020, ZTLment’s innovative approach addresses the longstanding challenges faced by ordering and booking platforms, including automating fund flows, enhancing payment transparency, and maintaining regulatory adherence. It also addresses a broader shift in the market between finance- and product teams. “We are seeing a transition, where payment operations become so important for the platform user experience that it is carved out of the finance function and handed over to the product team,” explained Mads Stolberg-Mathieu, CEO, and co-founder of ZTLment. Commercially, the company makes this transition easy without its customers having to recruit expensive payment operations specialists that can easily cost €70k or more per year. The company does this by offering Compliant Wallet Infrastructure. Each platform customer is empowered with an unlimited number of wallets to streamline payments efficiently and transparently without the burden of navigating – or having to worry about – technical or regulatory complexities. With an upcoming product launch, customers can allocate a multicurrency wallet for every platform vendor, facilitate split payouts, and release funds in escrow based on data events – all without worrying about the underlying rails. “People outside of crypto do not care what ledgers you use, as long as it is fiat money and regulatory compliant. They do care about the functionality though,” said Stolberg-Mathieu. The potential of programmable payments, like ZTLment is bringing to market, has been widely recognized by global institutions like Citi, HSBC, JP Morgan, and even the Bank of International Settlements, which is often regarded as the central bank for central banks. “The ability to lock and unlock money between multiple parties based on data events will help create trust, transparency, and workflow efficiency in cross-border transactions. It also provides a foundation for letting AI agents decide when to release funds while setting limits on the amounts,” stated Richard Breiter, partner and co-founder of the PSVTech01 fund at PreSeed Ventures Source EU Startups #fintech

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From today's article in Berlingske: "If you're a founder or visionary, you must firmly believe in what you're doing. If everyone could see what you see, it wouldn't be so innovative." When we founded Mono Solutions in 2007, the B2B SaaS model faced a lot of skepticism. Back then, software was installed on servers – the cloud was barely a concept. Thanks to the visionary insight of my co-founder David Højelsen, we persevered. This belief is also the inspiration behind "Ugly Duckling Ventures" – supporting those 'ugly ducklings' destined to become beautiful swans. #startups #venture #vc #uglyducklingventures

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💡Kvarn X Pro - Premium services for individuals and institutions At Kvarn X Pro, we offer more than just premium access to essential market insights and tailored investment themes. With the best-aggregated liquidity in the Nordic markets and collaboration with leading market makers, we ensure that our clients have access to unparalleled trading opportunities. Benefits of Kvarn X Pro: 📈 Exclusive insights: Weekly reports that distill critical market trends and identify investment opportunities. 🤝 Expert wealth management: Personalized guidance from our experienced wealth managers to help you make informed decisions. 💼 Tailored investment portfolios: Efficient execution, monitoring, and analysis of multiple strategies simultaneously. Reach out to our wealth manager, Tuomas Maksimainen, and discover how our insights and services can guide you through the complexities of crypto investments. #KvarnXPro #CryptoInvestment #MarketInsights

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How Kreditz can help you unlock the full potential of your customer data for better decision-making. Our Customer Success Team Lead Alex Wahlberg is back to further elaborate on how we can ensure a fair and accurate assessment of your customers’ data. #lending #loanapplication #assessment #innovation #OpenBanking #PSD2 #PSD3 #CreditDecision #RiskDecision #LendingTech #FinTech

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Meet our Duty of Care communicator Ulrika Nilsson! Ulrika is carrying out Duty of Care calls with at-risk players at gambling companies who are connected to our full-service solution for Duty of Care calls – and she does it really, really well! 💬 Hi Ulrika! Who are you and what is your role here at Sustainable Interaction? I am almost an institution in the company, as we say in Sweden. I have worked with the negative consequences of gambling addiction and responsible gambling since 1999. I was part of the effort to initiate the national support line for gamblers and their relatives in Sweden, called 'Stödlinjen för spelare och anhöriga', and of course, one of the first to answer the calls. My current role involves making 'Duty of Care calls' to selected high-risk players for various gambling companies. 💬 What does a typical work day look like for you? A typical day involves preparing myself well before making calls to players. After I’ve made the calls, I make sure to take care of myself somehow. Sometimes, I take a walk or simply sit still, listening to the sounds from the woods or watching my hens running around. Other times, I just hug my dog. 💬 If you were to give 3 tips for a successful Duty of Care call, what would they be? ▶ Prepare well ▶ Listen carefully, be empathetic and clear in the conversation ▶ Make sure you have a good understanding of the gambling operator’s tools and processes #responsiblegambling #safergambling #playerprotection

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A great platform to unlock the potential in an e-com business 🚀 If you have any questions how it is to use Salesmanago from a customer perspective, dont hesitate to send a DM 🙌 #ehandel #salesmanago #CDP #ecom #personalisation #customerjourney

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Power of a community & the voice of an eco-system. 💪 This week, an important event took place in Oslo. NAST (Norwegian Alliance for Startups & Tech) was launched at Mesh Community with Anders Mjåset & Per Einar Dybvik. 👉 The goal is for Technology to be the 5th largest export industry in Norway by 2030. To reach this, the framework for businesses and governmental trust needs to be aligned with increased globalization and competition. Key success criterias; 💡 Tax - Competitive exit, option, wealth & employer tax as well as incentives for early stage investors. 💡 Talent - Attract talent with visa's and STEM education. 💡 Capital - LP mandates, allowing Government Pension Fund & Folketrygdfondet to allocate 3-5% into unlisted shares. 💡 Automated & effective policy instruments & the state as a buyer. It all starts with people and a good idea. Let us make sure the businesses of tomorrow have all the tools they need to succeed. 🚀 #nast #startups #Innovation #oxidaneventure

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It’s official. I’ll return to media! And not just to any media company. I’m coming home to Schibsted Media ✨ As a newly formed independent company, fully owned by Tinius Trust, Schibsted Media has a unique opportunity to shape its own long-term ambition & strategy and to tune its operating model to be an even stronger pure media player. And I get to support exactly that! 🚀 After a long summer break I will start as Senior Advisor to Siv, Schibsted Media’s CEO, and her management team. I was very determined to take a more strategic role after leaving Oda to support while I learn instead of diving straight into another operational leader role, and I was thrilled about getting this opportunity. There are several reasons for why this excites me so much. First of all, I love being in front of major formative shifts where I get to help outline long-term ambitions holistically while securing a fast and effective start towards it. Secondly, getting to work a mission that matters daily for people and colleagues who passionately care is really motivating. Finally, this places me right in the AI frontline, which speaks perfectly to the tech side of me. Alright. More about this later, but first I’ll take a break to save up some energy for what I imagine will be yet another fast paced and fun chapter making independent journalism my business ☀️ https://lnkd.in/d34svn9z

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🎙️Do VCs have moral obligations when investing in & nurturing startups? I'm thrilled to share the latest episode of "Startup to Scale Up Game Plan" where I sat down with Robin Egerot, Managing Partner at Goose Valley Ventures . Robin's extensive experience investing in companies like Klarna, Lunar Bank, and Receipt Hero makes this episode a must-listen! We explored: 🧭 The ethical considerations in venture capital & the Mensarius Oath 🤝 The crucial role of trust & loyalty between investors and founders 🧠 Goose Valley's proactive approach to supporting founders' mental health 🚀 Insights into the Nordic startup ecosystem & emerging technologies like AI Robin's wisdom and passion for fostering innovation shine through, offering invaluable advice for both budding VCs and startup enthusiasts. Watch the clip below and share your thoughts! ⬇️ You can also listen to the full episode via the links in the 1st comment #VentureCapital #MentalHealth #AI #NordicStartups

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Entrepreneurs Investing in Entrepreneurs – That’s What Drives Us at Marktlink At 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸, we’ve always been passionate about entrepreneurship. For years, entrepreneurs who we’ve supported in selling their businesses have asked us if we knew of investment opportunities. And indeed, we did. In 75% of SME transactions, the buyers are private equity firms that partner with entrepreneurs to drive further growth and create value. The historical returns of private equity demonstrate their success in this regard. But why are most private equity funds primarily backed by institutional investors? Wouldn't the investment circle be more powerful if these funds were fueled by fellow entrepreneurs? With that vision in mind, we took action—and it’s paying off. To date, 1,500 entrepreneurs have committed more than €1.5 billion in capital, funds dedicated to helping other SMEs grow. Speaking of growth, our team of over 35 professionals at Marktlink Capital is actively working to drive further expansion. Interested in investing in SMEs? Learn more at Marktlink Capital - https://lnkd.in/ePcf4KnY #rewardingentrepreneuship #growth

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IPOX Breaking News: As Klarna lines up for its IPO, happy to note that the IPOX Nordic Equity Capital Markets (ECM) Strategy set a fresh multi-year high, fully recovering the post-Covid losses / For more Info: write to me on [email protected] / ipox.com #klarna #spotify #dsv #orsted #hemnet #bonex #skorskogen #novonordisk

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📢 Klarna at the Swedish Riksdag! 📢 We will continue to emphasize the issue of over-indebtedness in Sweden until it is resolved. We are pleased that policymakers are recognizing this and taking action, but we believe that more can be done, and more swiftly. As the leading provider of responsible credit, we attended the Civil Committee’s open meeting on over-indebtedness to be part of the solution. We support regulation for a fair and transparent credit market. The urgency is clear: Debt-related applications to the Swedish debt enforcement agency surged by 45% in 2022, highlighting a worsening crisis of over-indebtedness among consumers. This trend has intensified in 2023, with total debt now reaching SEK 119.1 billion. At Klarna, we have consistently spoken out against harmful credit practices that plunge consumers deeper into debt, advocating for better regulations and enhancing our own product offerings to be more consumer-friendly. Key Reforms We Support: ✅ Lower the rate cap to 20% ✅ Transparent information on the cost of credit  ✅ Eliminate unnecessary fees  ✅ Ensure proportionality and tech neutrality in credit assessments  ✅ Establish a national debt registry  We are encouraged by the Committee's focus on this pressing issue and are eager to see impactful policy changes. Klarna remains committed to advancing these crucial reforms to create a fairer and more transparent credit market in Sweden. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dgU2DKis

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🔥 ANNOUNCEMENT: Pluto launches commission-free investing app in Denmark! 🇩🇰 After 3 years of intense work building a modern investment platform, including infrastructure from the ground up, we are proud to announce that we are finally LIVE on both Android and iOS!! 💥 This launch follows a 2-year regulatory process and a major funding round earlier this year, where we raised €2.4m from an incredible group of investors, including Y Combinator and the unicorn founders behind Pleo, Synthesia, Zendesk, Sitecore, as well as Magnetic VC. 🦄 In the coming quarters, the team and I will prove to consumers that we can deliver a better, cheaper, and more modern experience that can help everyone grow their savings more efficiently. In 2024, cash deposits in Danish banks once again reached record levels, exceeding DKK 1100 billion. Some of our competitors’ profit margins are exceeding 60%!!! We are here to bring lasting change and it starts today, with you. We are about to reach our 1,000th user, who will receive a cash bonus of 5,000 DKK when funding their account with at least 100 DKK  — will it be you? Link to download app in comments. 👇 To Pluto and beyond. 🪐 Y Combinator, Magnetic Capital , Nordic Makers , Pluto.markets (YC W22) Value at risk when investing. #Stocks #VentureCapital #Finance #FinTech #Investing

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Kudos to central banks ? 😵‍💫 Thats the headline in a new blogpost by Jesper Rangvid. According to Jesper, Inflation has been successfully reduced, and we have managed to avoid a recession—an outcome far better than many, including myself, had anticipated. Jesper is nearly ready to commend central banks for their efforts. However, when comparing this inflationary period to the 1970s, it is important to remember that inflation surged a second time back then, and as the figure shows, we are now at the same point in the inflation cycle where this occurred. While he believes the most likely outcome is that we will avoid another inflation spike and that history won't necessarily repeat itself, he emphasize two key risks to the inflation outlook in this analysis. First, monetary policy could become overly loose. Markets anticipate a 50-basis-point cut this year and a further 100-125 basis points next year, and Fed governors expect about the same, as revealed by their “dot plots” (6th of October). This comes against the backdrop of a strong underlying economy, as noted earlier. In fact, the strength of the current US economy argues against further interest rate cuts, yet they are still likely to happen. There is a risk that future rate cuts could be too aggressive, potentially reigniting inflation. While this is not my base case, he still expect a soft landing—it is a risk we cannot ignore entirely. The second risk is political: the upcoming U.S. election. Without delving too deeply into politics, it is fair to say that Trump’s policies, if he wins, could be inflationary. A more politicized Fed (i.e., one that adopts an even more expansionary monetary policy), tariffs, quotas, import levies, and so forth, as well as highly expansionary fiscal policies, all point toward rising inflation. While this would not happen immediately, it is a risk we cannot fully dismiss.

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Slim wallet after the summer 😅? Turns out if you have tools, clothes, an extra room or even a car, you can rent them out via various marketplace platforms and generate some extra money. We would know, as we’re pretty big fans of #carsharing 😉 and the added income it can generate. Especially in Norway 🇳🇴. Norwegian economic expert and influencer Marie Olaussen shared some of her best financial advice on TV 2 to save up this fall (especially after a summer where a weak kroner has decrease spending power 📉) And guess what… carsharing is one of the easiest and most practical way of generating some added money in the bank 👉 like Jon-Vidar Berg who earns extra by renting out his car through our app which finances several holidays each year 🤩. So become a super-saver and carshare this fall: we promise not only is it good for your wallet, but it’s also better for the planet : a win-win situation! ps: check more about how to save up in Norway here ⤵️

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Why Founders Choose init 6 as A True Partner in Their Journey I get a lot of questions about why our portfolio founders accepted our funding offer and made us their first institutional investor on their cap table. Why founders believed init 6 could be their partner in growing the company together through both hard and good times. Is it because we offered the founders a crazy amount of money at insane high valuation? Absolutely NO ❌ Is it because I'm really good at convincing founders to join the init 6 family? Maybe 🤔 😁 BUT, I think the real answer is that the founders see the value we bring to the table for them. At init 6, we believe in more than just providing capital; we are dedicated to being a partner who is deeply invested in the success of our founders. Here’s how we add value: 1️⃣ Proven Track Record: Achmad Zaky and Nugroho Herucahyono have extensive experience in building Bukalapak from the ground up to unicorn status. This experience brings invaluable knowledge and insights to help founders navigate the challenges of scaling a startup. 💡 2️⃣ A Co-Founder Mindset: We don’t just see ourselves as investors; we see ourselves as co-founders. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and commit our time, energy, and heart to grow the company together. 💪 3️⃣ Leverage Our Network: We believe in the power of synergy. We leverage our robust network to create meaningful connections, not just among our portfolio companies, but also with key industry players, ensuring founders have the right partners to scale. 🤝 At init 6, we’re more than just investors; we’re your partners in creating lasting impact. If you're a visionary founder looking for a lifelong partner to grow your company, we're here to listen to your vision and help take your company to the next level. Let’s build something extraordinary together. 🚀

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Swedish VC node.vc closes a first fund at €71 million #Node.vc, a Swedish entrepreneur-led #VC firm, has closed its first fund at €71 million. Founded by managing partner John Elvesjö, co-founder of eye-tracking company Tobii (which went public in 2015), Node.vc embodies the "entrepreneurs backing entrepreneurs" philosophy that's gaining traction across Europe. Node.vc plans to deploy this fund into startups across the Nordics and Baltics, focusing on areas where the region has traditionally excelled. While sector-agnostic, the firm is particularly interested in the future of entertainment(highlighted by their investment in gaming studio Roro), the future of work (with portfolio companies like Lemonadoand Starhive), and platform technologies including fintech, IoT, cloud infrastructure, and machine intelligence. What sets Node.vc apart is its deep entrepreneurial roots—not just within its investment team but also among its limited partners. The fund's LPs include 70 founders who bring a wealth of experience and insights to the table. Additionally, institutional investors like Saminvest, Sweden's fund-of-funds, and the life and pension arm of Nordic bank Nordea have backed the fund, a significant endorsement for a first-time fund of this size. With an average initial investment of €1.3 million and the capacity to invest up to €10 million in a single company, Node.vc aims to back around seven startups each year. The firm has assembled a robust team of entrepreneurs and operators, including several former members of Nordic VC firm Brightly Ventures, to provide hands-on support to their portfolio companies. Node.vc is optimistic about the region's potential, noting that recent shifts in the tech industry have made talent more accessible than ever. According to Elvesjö, the Nordics are "extremely well positioned to harvest" the opportunities presented by emerging technologies like AI, which are set to disrupt industries globally. The article on TechCrunch in the first comment.

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