GAIN Meets...

In this episode of GAIN Meets, we sit down with Bodil Sidén, General Partner at Kost Capital, whose career trajectory reflects a unique blend of high-stakes politics, hyper-growth tech, and venture capital. Bodil brings a sharp, mission-driven, and highly strategic perspective to the future of the European food system and the power of "storydoing."

Bodil shares her journey from the corridors of power in the Swedish Government—serving as a Press Secretary for key ministers like Ulf Kristersson and Tobias Billström—to the front lines of the tech revolution. Her pivotal years leading communications for Uber in the Nordics and her time as a Partner at blq invest shaped her reputation as a builder who isn't afraid of the "Valley of Death." Today, based in Copenhagen, she is championing the "nutrition transition," backing visionary entrepreneurs who are redefining how we eat.

We talk about:

• 🥗 The Nutrition Transition: Why Kost Capital is betting on tech and resilience to bring "better food to more people."
• 🏛️ From Politics to Pixels: How a background in political strategy and regulatory affairs prepared her for the fast-paced world of tech and VC.
• 🤝 Beckna Tech: The story behind her initiative to bridge the gap between tech companies and youth in marginalized areas to break the cycle of criminal networks.
• 🎨 The Creative Edge: Why a love for the arts and writing an (unpublished) novel provides a necessary balance to the world of term sheets and cap tables.

A high-energy, insightful conversation with a powerhouse leader who is blending commercial advocacy with social impact to shape the next generation of European industry.

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

In this episode of GAIN Meets, we sit down with Madeleine Almqvist, Portfolio Manager at Case Kapitalförvaltning, whose career spans investment banking, credit markets, asset management, and nearly a decade of leadership within Swedish equestrian sport. Madeleine brings a thoughtful, disciplined, and deeply human perspective to building a career in finance.

Madeleine shares her journey from studying Business & Economics at SSE, including an exchange at Queen’s University in Canada, to diving headfirst into the world of banking. Her early experiences at Nordea Markets, SEB Corporate Finance, and Handelsbanken Capital Markets shaped her understanding of financial markets, corporate strategy, and the value of strong analytical foundations. Today, as a portfolio manager, she combines that technical expertise with a long-term, people-centred approach to investing.

We talk about:
 
 📊 What she learned from the fast-paced world of corporate finance, and how it prepared her for asset management
 🧠 Why understanding a company’s story is just as important as analysing its numbers
 🐴 How 8+ years in youth leadership within the Swedish Equestrian Federation taught her teamwork, resilience, and decision-making
 🌍 Why diverse paths into finance matter, and why no one’s journey needs to look the same

Madeleine also opens up about navigating early career uncertainty, taking opportunities even when she didn’t feel “perfectly ready,” and building a career on curiosity, structure, and a willingness to do the hard work behind the scenes.

🎧 A reflective, motivating conversation with someone redefining what it looks like to grow into a leadership role in Sweden’s investment landscape.

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

In this episode of GAIN Meets, we sit down with Johanna Rahm Juhlin, Investment Professional at LRF Ventures and Acting Head of Finance & Business Development at LRF. With a career that spans corporate finance, venture investment, engineering, and even nearly 12 years as a riding instructor, Johanna brings a uniquely grounded and analytical perspective to the world of investing.

Johanna shares her journey from studying industrial engineering at KTH and business administration at Stockholm University, to stepping into corporate finance at SEB and Deloitte, and ultimately into the world of venture capital. Today, she works at the heart of Sweden’s agricultural ecosystem — investing in innovations that strengthen food systems, sustainability, and the future of farming.

We talk about:
  - Why agriculture is one of the most overlooked but vital areas for long-term investment

-  The shift from traditional finance to mission-driven investing
 - How her engineering and analytical background shaped her way of evaluating companies
 - What 11 years of teaching riding taught her about leadership and patience
 - The importance of understanding real-world impact — not just financial returns

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

In this episode, Emmy Sendow sits down with Ulrika Bergman, Chief Investment Officer at The Nobel Foundation, for a conversation about long-term investing, risk management, and the value of staying curious throughout your career.

Ulrika shares insights from over two decades in finance, from her early years at SEB managing global equities to leading one of Sweden’s most prestigious investment portfolios today. She discusses how thoughtful risk-taking and disciplined decision-making underpin sustainable performance, and why investing is as much about understanding people and behaviour as it is about numbers.

They also explore how to build resilience as an investor, the importance of perspective when markets shift, and why maintaining a learning mindset is key to success in a rapidly changing world.

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

In this episode of GAIN Meets…, GAIN Sweden Director Emmy Sendow sits down with Anna Fredrixon, co-founder and partner at Norrsken Launcher — a venture that works with world-class researchers and scientists to industrialise, commercialise, and scale innovations that can fundamentally transform the future for people and the planet.

With a career spanning leadership roles at Truecaller and Kry, where she served as Chief Human Resources Officer during periods of rapid international growth, Anna has spent years at the intersection of people, business, and impact. Today, through Norrsken Launcher, she’s helping to bridge the gap between groundbreaking science and scalable business models, connecting researchers with the capital, talent, and strategy needed to make real-world change.

Alongside her work at Launcher, Anna also sits on the boards of Renasens, SeaPattern, and Ung Företagsamhet, and is the founder of Ixon Invest. Her career reflects a deep commitment to building purpose-driven organisations and empowering teams to turn bold ideas into lasting impact.

In this conversation, Anna shares her journey from marketing and HR leadership to impact entrepreneurship, what she’s learned from building teams in some of Sweden’s fastest-growing tech companies, and how science-backed innovation can drive a more sustainable and inclusive future.

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

In this episode of GAIN Meets…, GAIN Sweden Director Emmy Sendow sits down with Helen Groth, co-founder and portfolio manager at Gaia Microcap, a newly launched equity fund investing in Nordic microcap companies with strong potential to go from good to great. With a clear focus on active management and deep analysis, Gaia Microcap identifies profitable, high-quality companies that are leaders in their niches, often under-analysed but rich in long-term growth opportunities.

Before founding Gaia Microcap, Helen spent over seven years at Lannebo Fonder, where she managed the funds Lannebo Teknik and Lannebo Teknik Småbolag, which she also founded in 2019. Her experience spans both the tech and microcap segments, with a strong foundation in equity research from her earlier years at Carnegie Investment Bank, where she covered the banking sector and participated in several IPOs across industries.

Holding both a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Finance from the Stockholm School of Economics, Helen combines rigorous analytical skill with an entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine passion for growth investing. With Gaia’s recent partnership with Case Kapitalförvaltning, Helen and her co-founder Matilda are now poised to take their active management approach even further,  with the same portfolio, philosophy, and vision, but stronger support for long-term impact and expansion.

In this conversation, Helen shares her journey from equity research to fund management, what inspired her to launch Gaia Microcap, and why she believes the most exciting opportunities lie in small, well-run companies ready to scale. Listen to this episode if you’re curious about the Nordic investment landscape, fascinated by microcaps, or inspired by investors who combine strategy, curiosity, and conviction to fuel the next generation of growth.

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

In this episode of GAIN Meets…, GAIN Sweden Director Emmy Sendow sits down with Ruth Brännvall, a pioneering force in social impact investing who has dedicated her career to creating positive change through thoughtful investments. Since transitioning from a business director role at a global telecoms company in London to full-time social investing in 2007, Ruth has worked with private investors, foundations, and government organisations to build impact funds and support hundreds of individual investments.

Ruth is also an influential contributor to the development of national and international standards on social responsibility, sustainability, and impact investing. She holds a PhD in Industrial Economics & Management from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), with a thesis on scaling social ventures and inclusive innovation, an MBA from Warwick Business School, and a degree in journalism. Based in Stockholm, she continues to drive social change on a global scale.

In this conversation, Ruth shares her journey from corporate leadership to impact investing, her insights on scaling social ventures, and why aligning capital with positive societal impact is essential for shaping a more sustainable future. Listen to this episode if you’re an aspiring investor, passionate about social impact, or curious about how investments can drive meaningful global change.

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

In this episode of GAIN Meets…, GAIN Sweden Director Emmy Sendow sits down with Hannah, co-founder and partner at Ampli Ventures, where she focuses on investments in SaaS companies ready to scale. A powerhouse in the tech startup and SaaS ecosystem, Hannah brings a proven track record across the Nordics and the US.

As former Chief Commercial Officer at Soundtrack Your Brand, VP of Sales at iZettle, and Sales Director at Meltwater, Hannah has played a key role in shaping the success of leading tech companies. She also serves as a dedicated board member at Insurely, Videoly, and Finch. With a BA (Hons) in International Marketing from the University of Greenwich and further studies at Lund University, she combines deep commercial expertise with a commitment to driving innovation.

In this conversation, Hannah shares her journey from building and leading high-performing sales organisations to becoming an investor, her perspective on scaling SaaS businesses, and why supporting ambitious founders is essential for shaping the future of tech. Listen to this episode if you’re an aspiring investor, a founder in the SaaS space, or simply curious about how great ideas grow into successful global companies.

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on Linkedin or Instagram.

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

In this episode of GAIN Meets…, GAIN Sweden Director Emmy Sendow sits down with Linda Murray Wennberg, GreenTech investment manager at Almi Invest GreenTech, a national fund dedicated to supporting companies with significant climate and environmental impact.

With over 20 years of leadership experience, Linda has successfully scaled technology startups, secured venture capital, and led strategic transformations for companies navigating competitive markets. Today, she combines her passion for innovation and sustainability by investing in solutions driving the green transition — across sectors like energy, mobility, circularity, and food systems.

In this conversation, Linda shares her journey from C-level leadership roles to climate tech investing, how she supports entrepreneurs through operational and strategic challenges, and why inclusion is essential for both startups and investors.  Listen to this episode if you are an aspiring investor, an entrepreneur in climate tech, or simply curious about how business can drive environmental change.

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

In this episode of GAIN Meets…, GAIN Sweden Director Emmy Sendow sits down with Sophia Nabil Gustafsson, an award-winning young leader and incoming CEMS Master’s student at the Stockholm School of Economics.

Recognised for her entrepreneurial spirit and values-driven leadership, Sophia has already built a remarkable career across venture capital, investment banking, startups, and social impact. Her contributions have earned national recognition - including a spot on Nova’s list of Sweden’s top 111 talents and the prestigious Anders Wall scholarship for her commitment to combining business with positive change.

In this episode, Sophia shares her journey so far: what she’s learned from working in fast-paced, high-stakes environments, how she approaches leadership, and why staying grounded in purpose has shaped her career choices. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about your next move, this conversation is full of energy, clarity, and insight.

For more information on our programmes, events and resources visit gainsweden.org. You can also find us on LinkedIn or Instagram.