About us

About us

About us

A dedicated team

We bring extensive experience in building and scaling early-stage companies. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, company building, investment, and strategy, we help businesses grow and succeed.

Cristina combines over ten years in startup finance with extensive CFO and board experience across technology startups and scale-ups. She has served on 15+ company boards and holds an MSc from NTNU. As CEO and Investment Director, she leads CoFounder’s operations and serves on the investment committee.

Cristina Santos

Partner and CEO

cristina@cofounder.no

Bjørnar has over 30 years in M&A and corporate finance and a PhD in Industrial Economics and Technology Management from NTNU. He built a consultancy to a successful exit and contributed to over 100 completed M&A transactions. At CoFounder, he leads investments for Såkorn 1 Midt as Investment Director and serves on the investment committee.

Bjørnar Reitan

Partner

bjornar@cofounder.no

Morten has over 20 years of experience building and scaling technology companies, including CEO and CFO roles. He holds an MSc in Industrial Economics and Technology Management from NTNU and has raised over USD 50 million in grants and equity. At CoFounder, he serves as Chairman and a member of the investment committee. 

Morten Frøseth

Partner and Chairman

morten@cofounder.no

Margrethe has six years in strategy and finance consulting and an MSc from NTNU. She has advised growth companies on commercialization and growth strategy. At CoFounder, she manages Trykktanken, leads investment processes and serves as CEO of portfolio company Wrapsave.

Margrethe Skjelstad

Manager

margrethe@cofounder.no

Halvor has over ten years of experience building technology companies and an MSc from NTNU. He co-founded and scaled a technology company across 20 countries, taking it from startup to a successful exit. At CoFounder, he leads investment processes and works hands-on with portfolio companies and new ventures.

Halvor Wold

Venture Builder

halvor@cofounder.no

Morten has over five years as CEO of early-stage companies and an MSc from NTNU. He brings experience in startup finance and management. At CoFounder, he contributes to investment processes and is responsible for AI and financial management. He also serves as CEO of portfolio company CatchREG.

Morten Skaland

Investment Controller

mortens@cofounder.no

Jan has over 30 years of experience developing, financing and leading technology companies and holds an MSc from NTNU. He has been involved in over 20 startups and spin-offs, co-founding ventures originating from NTNU, SINTEF, Statoil and Telenor. At CoFounder, he advises portfolio companies on strategy, financing and international growth, and serves as CEO of Alumatiq.

Jan Biti

Co-founder and Portfolio Advisor

jan@cofounder.no

Maja works part-time at CoFounder while completing an MSc in Industrial Economics and Technology Management at NTNU, specializing in AI and strategy. At CoFounder, Maja analyzes investment opportunities and develops the company’s brand and digital presence.

Maja Guldberg

Business Developer

maja@cofounder.no

Rune has over 30 years building technology companies and an MBA from NHH. As a founder, CEO and investor, he has taken companies from early development to exit. At CoFounder, he advises founders and portfolio companies on strategy, pricing and sales.

Rune Bjerne

Senior Advisor

rune@cofounder.no

Our journey so far

CoFounder was started in 2010 by a group of experienced entrepreneurs. Since then, the company has built strong expertise in early-stage company building and has become a leading player in seed investments. A lot has changed over the past 15 years, but one thing has stayed the same: our passion for creating real value through hard work and investing in the solutions of tomorrow.

Our journey so far

Our journey so far

CoFounder was started in 2010 by a group of experienced entrepreneurs. Since then, the company has built strong expertise in early-stage company building and has become a leading player in seed investments. A lot has changed over the past 15 years, but one thing has stayed the same: our passion for creating real value through hard work and investing in the solutions of tomorrow.

A lot has changed over the past 15 years, but one thing remains the same: our passion for creating real value through hard work and investing in the solutions of tomorrow.

2010

2010

CoFounder is established

CoFounder is established

Cofounder is founded by Jan Biti, Morten Frøseth and Rune Bjerke to provide management resources and capital for building and scaling early stage tech companies.

2010

2010

Partnering with SINTEF and NTNU

Partnering with SINTEF and NTNU

Cofounder partners with NTNU TTO and SINTEF to commercialize game-changing technologies for various industries.

2010

2010

First investment

First investment

We make our first investment, marking the beginning of our journey in supporting and scaling technology-driven ventures.

2015

2015

CoFounder as founder of new tech companies

CoFounder as founder of new tech companies

We expand our focus by by identifying high-potential opportunties. We start founding our own tech companies, such as OptoScale.

2019

2019

75 MNOK raised from KLP

75 MNOK raised from KLP

CoFounder launches the first seed fund in partnership with KLP. The goal is to invest in early stage tech companies in Norway.

2019

2019

Driven by industrial needs, we create new companies

Driven by industrial needs, we create new companies

We identify real industrial challenges and build companies that develop innovative solutions to meet those needs and open up new opportunities across industries.

2021

2021

KLP Trykktanken is launched

KLP Trykktanken is launched

Alongside the fund, we launch Trykktanken, an accelerator program for startups that allows us to explore investment opportunities across Norway.

2024

2024

200 MNOK raised for the Såkorn 1 Midt fund

200 MNOK raised for the Såkorn 1 Midt fund

We closed Såkorn 1 Midt with 200 million NOK in capital, dedicated to pre-seed and seed investments in Central Norway.

2024

2024

Moved to Nordre Gate

Moved to Nordre Gate

This move marked a significant strengthening of our team and allowed for new local opportunities, enhancing our presence and collaboration.

2024

2024

220 MNOK raised for the Venture fund

220 MNOK raised for the Venture fund

The launch of a new fund with KLP marks the beginning of three more years of collaboration through KLP Trykktanken and several new investment opportunities.

A dedicated team of entrepeneurs

CoFounder was started in 2010 by a group of experienced entrepreneurs. Since then, the company has built strong expertise in early-stage company building and has become a leading player in seed investments. A lot has changed over the past 15 years, but one thing has stayed the same: our passion for creating real value through hard work and investing in the solutions of tomorrow.