Keystones

💡 What can we learn from Danish women about shaping our future? We gathered a good part of Denmark’s female investors, founders, and advisors in one room around one theme: "Women Shaping the Future". 👉 Very quickly, the conversation moved beyond gender — toward the systems, decisions, and mindsets that define how innovation actually grows. Here are five lessons that stood out — grounded in data, experience, and honest conversation: 1️⃣ Structure enables courage As Therese Kemp from Jon Palle Buhl attorneys put it: Clarity in ownership and structure gives freedom to act. Choosing the right entity early protects both business and personal finances. A shareholders’ agreement isn’t bureaucracy — it’s collaboration design. Even a prenup can secure continuity. → The clearer the structure, the bolder the choices. 2️⃣ The funding gap is visible — and measurable From Ana A.’s Even Founders data: Over €1.3 B was invested in women-led startups in the Nordics this year — a sharp rise from 2023. Yet the Series A crunch persists as growth capital narrows. Sweden leads in deal flow; Denmark in mixed teams — proof that ecosystem design matters? → The gap lies in access and timing, not ambition. 3️⃣ Networks outperform numbers Larissa van Sunder (Feeka, partner of ScaleUp Company | B Corp) reframed growth: Markets reward trust before traction. “It’s not about who you know, but how you show up.” Social capital built early creates resilience — in both sales and fundraising. → Sustainable growth begins with intentional connection. 4️⃣ Experimentation compounds success Serena Leka from EIT Community Supernovas: by your 50th experiment, success odds hit 92%. Deep-tech and impact founders thrive through iteration, not perfection. Feedback isn’t correction — it’s strategy. → Staying in the game beats getting it right early. 5️⃣ Ecosystems evolve when people do Across sessions, one theme stood out: the power of learning networks. Most angels now cite learning and community as key investment drivers. Structured mentorship triples funding success (MIT 2023). And Nordic collaboration — Sweden’s scale, Denmark’s diversity — fuels momentum. → The next wave of innovation will be powered by connection and patience. We are so grateful to all who shaped the conversation 💬 Sandra Viig Seitzberg, Camilla Frost, Therése Kemp, Birgitte Riddersholm, Serena Leka, Birgitte Riddersholm, Larissa van Sunder, Ana Andonovska and to the brilliant founders showing what innovation looks like when purpose meets persistence 💪 Acodyne (Jasmina Pless), Aisel Health (Augusta Klingsten Peytz), all.u.me (Dorte Caroline Knudsen, Anna Maria Kähler), Another Closet - Dele-tøj på abonnement (Tina Werborg), Axos (Isabella Buhl Christensen, Nanna Rye Huss), Finari.dk (Lisbeth Chawes), Paint'R (Sofie Winge-Petersen), Lapee (Gina Périer), Mensis (Kateřina Komárková) and QASE Tech (Elham Amiri)— 👏 👏 👏

⚡ Why co-founder relationships make — or break — startups⚡ "Most startups don’t fail because of the idea - They fail because the team doesn’t work" At Keystones, we’ve seen both sides: founders struggling to stay aligned, and investors watching promising ventures stall when trust and clarity fade. 💡So what actually makes co-founder relationships last — and how can you play a role in building stronger founder teams? That’s the focus of STEAR - Sonderborg Energy & Tech Startup’s upcoming event, The Impact of Co-founders – and why you should become one, on November 11 in Sønderborg. The event brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors to explore how complementary skills and mindsets shape successful startups — with real-world stories and practical guidance from people who’ve done it. We’re proud to contribute with Keystones board member Michael Hansen — (CEO at FST Growth) — who will speak on “First steps – is it really that complicated?”, sharing lessons from years of helping startups build founding teams and scale successfully. Michael will be joined by Tinus Byrgesen, Co-founder of GROUNDED CUPS, Marck Thorning from Puls Human Relations ApS and Morten Madsen, professor at Syddansk Universitet - University of Southern Denmark for what could be described as an essential discussion for both co-founders and investors. ✨ Expect inspiration, new connections, and insights that could shape your next co-founder journey. 📅 Event details 🔸 Date: November 11 🔸 Time: 16:00–18:00 (doors open 15:30, networking from 17:30) 🔸 Location: Alsion, Sønderborg 🔗 More info & sign-up_ Link in the comments 💬 Have you ever joined a startup as a co-founder — or thought about becoming one? What’s the biggest challenge you’ve seen in forming strong founder teams? Comment below 👇

🎤 Speaker Highlight 🚀 Ana A. — “A new era for female founders” What does the funding journey really look like for female founders in the Nordics? On Monday, at WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE, Ana Andonovska from Even Founders, will unpack the data — and the reality — behind who funds women after the first angel rounds, and where the biggest gaps still remain. And her advice to anyone thinking about entering this world? ☠️ “Don’t become an entrepreneur nor an investor! 😄 …and if that doesn’t scare you, then absolutely do!” Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply curious — join Ana and other briliant women for an afternoon of inspiration and connection with us at Keystones WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE 📅 November 3 | 15:00–19:00 📍 Microsoft, Kanalvej 7, Lyngby (CPH) 🔗 Sign-up info in comments

🎤 Speaker Highlight 🌱 Larissa van Sunder — “What if growth isn’t just a numbers game?” "We invest in companies. We invest in technology. We invest in innovation — because we believe in their potential..." But as Larissa van Sunder, founder of Feeka, reminds us, "we too often forget to invest in something even more powerful: our relationships" ☝ On Monday, at WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE, Larissa will explore how investing in social capital transforms the way we build and scale — and why long-term success depends on more than just numbers. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply curious — Join Larissa and other brilliant women on Monday, November 3rd for an inspiring afternoon filled with courage, learning, and connection together with Keystones. WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTUTRE 📅 November 3 | 15:00–19:00 📍 Microsoft, Kanalvej 7, Lyngby (CPH) 🔗 Sign-up info in comments

🎤 Speaker Highlight 🌟 Therese Kemp - “Getting your financial toolbox in order.” 🧰 At WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE, Therese Kemp from Jon Palle Buhl will share her hands-on insights on how founders and investors can build trust, structure, and sustainability into their collaborations from day one. Every successful partnership needs more than just vision — it needs the right agreements and alignment behind it. Join Keystones, Therese and other brilliant women on Monday, November 3rd for an inspiring afternoon filled with courage, learning, and connection — where women take the stage in Denmark’s startup and investment ecosystem. WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE 📅 November 3 | 15:00–19:00 📍 Microsoft, Kanalvej 7, Lyngby (CPH) 🔗 Sign-up info in the comments

🎤 Speaker Highlight: 🌟Serena Leka: "You don’t have to be fully ready — just brave enough to show up" What if investing isn’t just about finance — but about curiosity, connection, and purpose? At WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE on November 3rd in Copenhagen, Serena Leka from EIT Community Supernovas will share how women across Europe are redefining what it means to build and invest in the future: 💫 Creating communities that build confidence and access for female founders & investors. 💫 Seeing investing as a learning journey — a way to grow careers and knowledge while making an impact. 💫 Starting simple — with an idea, a trusted team, and the courage to step forward. ☝ Serena’s reminder to all of us: “You don’t have to be fully ready, just present.” Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply curious — join Keystones for an afternoon of inspiration and connection. WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE 📅 November 3 | 15:00–19:00 📍 Microsoft, Kanalvej 7, Lyngby (CPH) 🔗 Sign-up info in comments

5 Tips til at få succes med Business Angel syndikater 💯 At tiltrække investering fra business angels kan være afgørende for både startups og scaleups. Men hvordan sikrer man sig den bedste mulighed for at nå helt i mål? Hos Keystones har vi erfaret, at investeringer med en gruppe på 5 til 10 business angels ofte er nøglen til succes. Disse grupper af business angels kalder vi syndikater. Her er lidt om, hvorfor syndikater virker – og 5 tips til, hvordan du selv kan bygge et effektivt syndikat 🌪️ Det at samle en række business angels i syndikater er vigtige fordi: 💰 Øget kapitaladgang: Flere ”skuldre” bærer investeringen, det kan stadig gå godt, selvom nogle springer fra, og der er større chance for, at nogle går med i næste runde. 🤹 Kompetencer: Større chance for at få de ønskede kompetencer ombord sammen med investeringen. 🎒 Erfaringsdeling: Flere "øjne" på virksomheden i forhandlingsfasen, og man kan trække på et større netværk. 🛠️ Arbejdsmængde: Business angels kan dele arbejdet omkring investeringen, så det ikke ”hænger på” en enkelt lead investor. Dette gælder både før, under og efter investeringen. 📉 Risikospredning: Mindre risiko for den enkelte investor og mindre risiko for, at en enkelt business angel er for dominerende. Hos Keystones tror vi på, at samarbejde omkring investeringer skaber de bedste resultater. Vores syndikater af business angels har gentagne gange bevist, at fælles investeringer fører til succesfulde kapitalrunder 🔥 Har du erfaring med at deltage i eller måske endda lede et syndikat? Del dine tanker og erfaringer i kommentarerne!

💡 How do we help Nordic startups and scaleups raise capital from the Keystones angel investor network? We’ve summarized the Keystones Process in 6 simple steps — from your first pitch to closing the investment round. 🚀 👉 Ready to start your own Keystones Process? (Application link in the comments)

NEW INVESTMENT! 💪 💼 From sedentary office behaviour to healthy movement 🏋♀️ — new investment in OfficeFit! At Keystones, we’re proud to announce a new investment in OfficeFit – a Danish health-tech company helping organisations create active and healthy workplaces. OfficeFit has developed the platform GetUpp, which helps employees integrate movement into their workday. The results speak for themselves: ✅ Better wellbeing and energy ✅ Fewer sick days ✅ A stronger workplace culture Following strong traction and revenue growth, OfficeFit is now gearing up for international expansion — aiming to quadruple turnover within the coming year. The investment round was led by Brian Østergaard, bringing together experienced business angels from both Keystones and our close partner network Danish Business Angels - DanBAN. Together, the syndicate supports the company’s next phase of growth. 💬 “The investment from experienced business angels enables us to accelerate our growth strategy significantly and bring our health solutions to many more companies internationally.” — Kristian Bjerg, Founder & CEO, OfficeFit 💬 “OfficeFit is addressing a strong and growing market with both solid business potential and a meaningful mission. That’s why I brought together a syndicate across networks – together we can lift the company to the next level” — Brian Østergaard, Lead Investor & Keystones Member This case exemplifies what we believe in at Keystones: 🚀 Passionate founders 🤝 Syndication in groups with investors who dare to take lead 😇 Cooperation with external investors and other good angel networks 🌍 Ambitious goals for growth and international expansion Full story? Link in the comments

Cyber Angel Academy - Session 1: Dybdegående indsigt i cybersikkerheds investeringer 15:00-18:00 Adresse: Matrikel 1, Højbro Plads 10, 1200 København Denne begivenhed vil fremhæve de kritiske trin, der sikrer succes med at investere i cybersikkerhed, fra grundig due diligence til at navigere i finansieringsrejsen. Uanset om du er en investor, der søger muligheder i den hurtigt voksende cybersikkerhedssektor eller ønsker at sikre indsigt fra erfarne investorer, vil denne begivenhed give praktisk vejledning, ekspertperspektiver og eksempler fra den virkelige verden, der hjælper dig med at træffe informerede beslutninger. Tilmelding: https://lnkd.in/dNWhnsTh Dagsorden: 15:00: Ankomst og networking 15:30: Velkomst ved The Link og Keystones 15:35: Investering i cybersikkerhed, Geeta Schmidt, Seed Capital (og tidligere medstifter af Humio) 16:00: Forståelse af en cybersikkerhedsstartups rejse, Andreas Frederik Wehowsky, grundlægger af Muninn 16:30: Pitching af cybersikkerhedsstartups 17:00: Networking 17:30: Afslutning af eventet