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From Nordic Innovation to Silicon Valley w/ Moa Persdotter (Vinnova)
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Silicon Valley continues to attract an extraordinary concentration of technology, talent, venture capital, customers, and global ambition.
For Nordic startups and scaleups, engaging with this ecosystem can open significant opportunities, but meaningful international expansion requires far more than a temporary presence or a series of investor meetings.
Founders need to understand how the market operates, build trusted local relationships, validate demand, communicate their ambition, and determine whether the US is genuinely the right next step for their company.
There is also a broader ecosystem opportunity. The knowledge, networks, and insights developed in Silicon Valley can strengthen not only individual companies, but also Sweden’s and the Nordic region’s ability to build globally competitive businesses.
Join us for an exclusive Fireside Chat with Moa Persdotter, Head of Startup Ecosystem Relations at Vinnova’s outpost at Nordic Innovation House Silicon Valley.
Based in Palo Alto, Moa represents Vinnova and Sweden in one of the world’s most influential innovation ecosystems. Her work focuses on startup and ecosystem relations, connecting Swedish innovators with relevant networks, programs, investors, customers, and intermediaries in Silicon Valley. Nordic Innovation House Silicon Valley supports Nordic companies through community, local networks, workspace, events, and market-entry programs. Its role is to help Nordic startups explore product-market fit, build international relationships, meet customers and investors, and prepare for global expansion.
In this fireside chat, we will explore:
What should founders validate before committing significant time and capital to international expansion?
When is a startup genuinely ready to explore the US market?
How can Nordic startups build meaningful relationships with US investors, customers, and partners?
How should Nordic companies communicate their ambition and competitive advantage in the US?
What common mistakes do international founders make when entering Silicon Valley?
What role can Vinnova and Nordic Innovation House play in helping companies navigate global opportunities?
How can knowledge and relationships developed in Silicon Valley flow back into Sweden’s innovation ecosystem?
What can Nordic founders learn from the ambition, speed, and scale of Silicon Valley?
What should the Nordics preserve from their own innovation culture while adopting a more global mindset?
How can stronger bridges between Nordic and international ecosystems create lasting value?
This conversation will examine international expansion not only as a company-building challenge, but also as an ecosystem-building opportunity. We will discuss how trusted intermediaries can help founders understand local expectations, identify the right opportunities, and build relationships that extend beyond a single program or visit.
Who should attend: Startup and scaleup founders exploring the US market, investors, accelerators, incubators, innovation agencies, corporate innovation leaders, university and research commercialization teams, policymakers, public-sector representatives, and ecosystem builders working to connect Nordic innovation with global opportunities.
The session will be moderated by Naimul Abd, Regional Director Nordics at Startup Grind, CEO of Connect Öst, CEO and Co-Founder of SweBAN, Founder of Nutty Ventures, and Nordic lead for Founder Institute and Founders Live.
Agenda
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Speaker
Moa Persdotter - Vinnova (Head of Startup Ecosystem Relations (Nordic Innovation House - Silicon Valley))
Moa Persdotter is Head of Startup Ecosystem Relations at Vinnova’s outpost at Nordic Innovation House Silicon Valley, where she represents Sweden in one of the world’s most influential technology and investment ecosystems. Based in Palo Alto, she builds relationships between Swedish innovators and international investors, companies, programs, and ecosystem intermediaries. Through her work, Moa…
Moderator
Naimul Abd - Connect Öst & SweBAN - Swedish Business Angel Networks (CEO)
Naimul Abd is a Nordic startup ecosystem builder working across early-stage venture development, funding, and growth. He is CEO of Connect Öst (https://www.linkedin.com/company/connectsverigeregionost/), one of the region’s most active platforms connecting startups with investors, mentors, and strategic partners. He is also CEO and Co-Founder of
Hosted By
Naimul Abd, Regional Director Nordics Startup Grind
Naimul Abd is a leading Nordic Ecosystem Builder and coaches more than 500 entrepreneurs per year. A finalist in Nordic Startup Awards 2023, he is Regional Director Nordics for global startup ecosystems including Founder Institute, Startup Grind, and Founders Live. He has headed several EU funded acceleration programs, transformed advisory services, events, and partnerships at a government funded social impact organization, and moderated leading startup events like Stockholm Entrepreneurs Day, Nordic Startup Festival, and Nordic Pitch Battle. Naimul is also a serial entrepreneur and an angel investor with a portfolio of impact startups. He has previously worked in the corporate sector as a strategic marketing & insights consultant for more than 20 multinational brands including Nestlé, Coca Cola, Honda, Tetra Pak. He has also tripled the topline of a fashion retailer as their marketing head and held leadership positions at advertising and research agencies. Naimul holds M.Sc. in Marketing and M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship from Sweden and, in his free time, he makes music and loves to write. His favorite quote? “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” by Peter Drucker.
Peggie K. Ovesen, Partnerships Lead
I’m passionate about the startup journey and driven to build solutions that are good for both people and the planet. With a background in tech and business, I’ve led product development in deeptech startups across fashion, fitness, and entertainment.
My experience spans from marketing and sales at the multinational brand Nestlé to launching MVPs for early-stage startups — giving me a well-rounded perspective on building purposeful, scalable solutions.
I believe in the power of collaboration and in creating products where innovation and impact grow through shared purpose.
Outside of work, I’m a wine enthusiast , enjoys playing tennis, meditation, hiking, and weightlifting. I am always embracing new challenges that fuel personal and professional growth. Message to all- “alone we go fast, but together we go far.”
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Global Partner
Carta (http://www.carta.com/launch?utm_campaign=20240423-nam-general-smb-startup_grind_partnership&utm_medium=social&utm_source=startup_grind)Carta helps people manage equity, build businesses, and invest in the companies of tomorrow. Carta Launch is the only free cap table product, helping new founders get started. The company is trusted by more than 40,000 companies, over 7,000 funds and SPVs, and over two million equity holders to manage cap tables, compensation, valuations, liquidity, and more. For more information, visit carta.com.
Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.
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Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-stockholm-presents-from-nordic-innovation-to-silicon-valley-w-moa-persdotter-vinnova/.
