Caroline Walerud

Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a nonprofit organization that delivers an objectives-based program for massively scalable, seed-stage, science- and technology-based companies. The nine-month program employs an objectives-based mentoring process to enhance the performance of technical founders who learn from the insights of experienced entrepreneurs, with the goal of maximizing equity-value creation. Founded by Professor Ajay Agrawal in 2012 at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, the program has expanded and now has 11 sites across six countries: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Halifax, Paris, Madison, Seattle, Estonia, Berlin, and Melbourne. The program combines 5 elements to help companies transition from science projects to scalable and financeable companies: - An emphasis on objective-setting, helping companies focus on what’s most important to their business - Focused mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs who have founded, led, and sold significant tech companies - Technical advice from world-leading scientists, engineers, and economists - Hands-on support from top business students, who embed within the company to provide business support - Opportunities to raise capital, including angels and VCs from Europe and North America The successful commercialization of cutting-edge science and technology achieved through the program has led to the creation of over CAD $35 billion in equity value.

AirForestrys groundbreaking technology makes it possible to thin out the forests in a completely new way, namely from the air with high-capacity drones. Through our innovative thinning, we contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from forestry work while increasing the forests ability to sequester carbon.

Not currently investing. Walerud Ventures joins pre-seed and seed stage companies as investors, advisors and part-time employees. Our focus sectors are high tech, deep tech, and impact tech. IN THE TRENCHES We join at the very early stages, often from just an idea and a couple of people. We spend a day a week with you to help set up the early team, strategy and sales. We'll join you in packing boxes, (wo)man the booth at trade shows, and as CxO as necessary. Since we work so closely with our startups we only take on a few at a time. Therefore, we make sure to select projects that make our hearts sing. LONG & CURRENT EXPERIENCE Of the 18 companies we have been heavily involved in, four have become world class successes (Klarna, Tobii, Lensway, Bluetail) and another ten had good and profitable exits or are growing nicely. We've also coached hundreds of startups and work very hard to make our startups successful. Our annual return on investment since 2002 exceeds 60%. PAYING IT FORWARD Walerud Ventures is dedicated to building Sweden and its startup and tech ecosystem. We work closely with incubators around the country, the Royal Academy of Sciences (IVA), Prince Daniel's Fellowship, and Geek Girl Meetup. We also work on policy with the Swedish government: Jane is part of the The Swedish Government Innovation Council chaired by the Prime Minister, and Caroline is part of Entreprenörskapsutredningen reporting to the Interior Minister. Read more on our website www.walerud.com