Interview with Stefan Krook

Can you describe your current role(s)? What are you predominantly focused on?

I am chairman of the GoodCause foundation (owner of GodEl and GodFond), Kivra (digital mailbox) and Flower (a scale-up working as power refinery, enabling more renewable energy and a better-balanced energy grid). It is in these roles I spend most of my time, working closely as a sounding board for the CEOs in their efforts to build stronger and better companies. I am CEO of two investment companies (one co-owned with Karl-Johan Persson and one were Karl-Johan and I co-own with FAM [which is the fully owned investment company in the Wallenberg sphere]), where we have other holdings too but in practical terms the work there is mainly to help the major holdings which are Flower and Kivra…

You have started and managed a few tech companies and social ventures – what is the most exciting/rewarding part of your work?

To be part of a journey where initially most people believe it will not fly, or do not see the meaning of it, and then over time making the dream a reality. To create something new that creates real value to customers and society. Starting with a small team who unite in the dream and ‘believe together’. Typically, you have some young persons in such teams and to see them grow with the company and become experienced stars is also enormously fulfilling. It is great to work with experienced people too  but to see the newly graduated ‘just do it’, work hard, learn, and become experienced stars - that is fantastic.

Where do you think the tech industry is headed in the next 5-10 years?

I think the world needs a tech industry that innovates, creates solutions and scales them and thereby piece by piece solves many of the problems of the world. The world needs it and therefore I also think the politicians, the talent, the customers and the capital will enable the industry to accomplish it. I believe the rockstar status of tech entrepreneurs will gradually shift from focus on market cap to the societal impact they create.

As a successful entrepreneur, what do you see as the most important aspects to consider in terms of creativity and innovation?

Combining big dreams with a stepwise approach where you understand customers’ and other stakeholders’ demands also in the present. To combine the ability to ‘sell the strawberries you have’ with the roadmap towards something much larger. Most of the time, and in the long term, I do not believe financial markets will allow you to only have great dreams many years from now. Big dreams entail a lot of complexity that must not be approached with a ‘perfect detailed plan’ but with many incremental steps in the right direction on an unchartered path.

In what ways do you still feel connected to SSE?
During most of my years since I started, I have had connections not only to my friends that I made but also to the school and I have been back at numerous seminars and similar events both as a participant and as a contributor. In the last year in particular, since I was introduced to the dream to create a Center for Wellbeing, Welfare and Happiness, and I have been fortunate enough to be able to help by introducing some of the greatest donors that have now contributed sufficient funding to make it possible. Thanks to them and thanks to SSE for letting me participate!

Do you recognize the SSE you studied at with the SSE you visit today?

The school looks similar from the outside with the main building and the big oak port, and on the inside the building is filled with smart, ambitious students and great teachers. So far, it looks the same. But at a closer look: the walls inside are filled with art and in the corridors, you see much more international students and faculty and the educational mission is FREE. Reflective, Empathetic, Entrepreneurial and Responsible. What a fresh new direction! I have happy memories from my time as a student, but I believe the school has not stagnated by remaining constant but is rather trailblazing in a fantastic and needed way!

What is the best career advice you have received/what career advice would you give to current SSE students that are interested in becoming entrepreneurs?

Dare to go your own way. Follow your passion – do not fall into the trap of doing what you believe others think is ‘right’.

Try to choose who you work for (especially who you report to) and when/if you get the luxury to grow a team, then aim to only employ people that are better than you are.