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From founder and operator to investor
Tune in to hear node.vc Partner, Mårten Skogö, in this episode of Walk in the Park with Ekaterina Yurchenko. You will get to hear more about his journey—from building a company from the ground up to over 1,000 employees, achieving profitability before seeking investment, and the lessons learned in choosing the right investors. Now, as a VC partner, Mårten shares how we leverage deep operational experience to support exceptional entrepreneurs on their long-term journeys.
Operators as Investors: A Walk in the Park with Mårten Skogö
How do experienced operators become successful investors, and what can tech founders learn from their journey? In this episode of Walk in the Park, walk with Mårten Skogö, co-founder of Tobii and partner at node.vc to explore his path from building a global tech company to leading an early-stage VC. With deep operational experience, Mårten shares how Nordic tech investors can provide more than capital, offering hands-on support to help startups scale successfully.
Key Takeaways from the Podcast
🚀 A Story of Persistence
Mårten and his co-founders started Tobii as students with no track record, no significant funding, and a tough investment climate. Through perseverance and strategic decision-making, they built a company that now has over 1,000 employees worldwide.
💡 Achieving Profitability Before Seeking Early-Stage VC Funding
Instead of relying on tech startup funding from the outset, Mårten and his team focused on customers, refining their business model, and achieving profitability before bringing in outside investors. This approach laid the foundation for sustainable growth.
🌍 Choosing the Right Nordic Tech Investors
Not all investors are created equal. Mårten shares how selecting long-term partners who align with a company’s vision is crucial—and why venture capital isn’t the right path for every startup. He also highlights how operators as investors bring unique value beyond capital.
💰 From Founder to Early-Stage VC Investor
After scaling Tobii, Mårten took a step back to consider his next chapter. Now, as a partner at node.vc, he is using his extensive operational experience to support exceptional entrepreneurs on their long-term journeys, demonstrating how former operators make some of the best Nordic tech investors.
🎙️ A Personal and Candid Conversation
This episode is packed with honest reflections on leadership, vision, team dynamics, and the transition from entrepreneur to investor. Whether you’re a founder navigating tech startup funding or an investor looking for deeper insights, this discussion is full of invaluable lessons.