Interview with Stefan Krook

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

I am chair of the GoodCause Foundation (owner of GodEl and GodFond), Kivra (a digital mailbox), and Flower (a scale-up working as a power refinery, enabling more renewable energy and a better-balanced energy grid). 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 also CEO of two investment companies — one co-owned with Karl-Johan Persson and one co-owned by Karl-Johan Persson, FAM (the Wallenberg sphere’s wholly owned investment company), and me. We have additional holdings as well, but in practical terms the work mainly involves supporting our major holdings, Flower and Kivra.

You have started and managed several tech companies and social ventures. What is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work?

To be part of a journey where most people initially believe it will not succeed, or do not see the meaning of it, and then over time make the dream a reality. To create something new that generates real value for customers and society.

It starts with a small team united by a shared belief in the dream. These teams often include young people, and seeing them grow with the company and become experienced stars is enormously fulfilling. It is also great to work with experienced people, but watching newly graduated people simply “go for it,” work hard, learn, and become experienced stars is fantastic.

Where do you think the tech industry is headed in the next five to ten years?

I think the world needs a tech industry that innovates, creates solutions, and scales them to solve many of the world’s problems piece by piece. Because the world needs it, I also believe politicians, talent, customers, and investors will enable the industry to achieve this.

I believe the rockstar status of tech entrepreneurs will gradually shift from a focus on market capitalization 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 step-by-step approach where you understand customers’ and other stakeholders’ needs in the present as well. It is important to combine the ability to “sell the strawberries you have” with a roadmap toward something much larger.

Most of the time, and especially in the long term, I do not believe financial markets will allow companies to rely only on great dreams far into the future. Big dreams involve a lot of complexity, and that complexity should not be approached with a perfectly detailed plan, but with many incremental steps in the right direction along an uncharted path.

In what ways do you still feel connected to SSE?

Since I first started at SSE, I have maintained connections not only with the friends I made there, but also with the School itself. I have returned for numerous seminars and events, both as a participant and as a contributor.

In the past year especially, I was introduced to the vision of creating a Center for Wellbeing, Welfare and Happiness. I have been fortunate enough to help by introducing several donors who contributed sufficient funding to make it possible. Thanks to them, and thanks to SSE for allowing me to participate.

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

The School looks similar from the outside, with the main building and the large oak doors. Inside, the building is still filled with smart, ambitious students and great teachers. In that sense, it feels the same.

But looking closer, the walls are now filled with art, and the corridors include many more international students and faculty members. The educational mission is FREE — Reflective, Empathetic, Entrepreneurial and Responsible. What a fresh new direction.

I have very happy memories from my time as a student, but I believe the School has not stagnated by remaining constant. Instead, it is trailblazing in a fantastic and much-needed way.

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

Dare to go your own way. Follow your passion — do not fall into the trap of doing what you think others expect or consider “right.”

Try to choose who you work for, especially who you report to. And when or if you have the opportunity to build a team, aim to hire people who are better than you are.