Our Founding Team
Founded by operators with deep expertise across business strategy, technology innovation, and product development. We have lived the journey from startup to scale -- and we bring that experience to every partnership.
Cecilia Hjertzell
Business Strategy, Climate Innovation, Sustainability, Branding & Investment Readiness
Co-Founder at Holocen Tech -- Bringing 25+ years of experience in business development, innovation, go-to-market strategy, international expansion, branding, and sustainable business transformation to help founders secure EU funding and scale impactful ventures.
Board Member & Advisor -- Serving on multiple boards and advising companies on strategy, growth, sustainability, brand positioning, and transformation.
Founder at Ofcoursable AB -- Engaged as senior business advisor and fractional CMO, CSO, and COO across a broad range of sectors.
Founder at Scandinavian Marketplace -- Providing TPL and business support services to Scandinavian companies expanding into the US market.
Previous Roles -- CEO Sjostrand Coffee, Brand Director Telia Company, Nordic Marketing Director Bosch Siemens Home, COO Soderhavet Design Agency.
Education -- Master in Business Administration (Stockholm University), Bachelor in Literature (Stockholm University), Certified Board Member (StyrelseAkademien), and trained Climate Reality Leader.
Co-Founder at Holocen Tech -- Helping organisations build stronger, more scalable and technology-enabled operations through EU-funded programmes and over 19 years of driving digital transformation across sales, supply chain, marketing, communications, finance and IT.
Founder at Auki -- Providing advisory, training, and guidance to help organisations and people turn digital ambitions into scalable, secure, data-driven solutions.
Head of E-commerce and Digital Transformation -- Led a multi-regional team responsible for IT and e-com in a fast-paced international start-up environment. Led digital transformation initiatives.
Nordic Digital Transformation at Weleda -- Managing sustainable digital development including security, architecture, culture and more.
Previous Roles -- Microsoft, Telia, Arla, Optilon.
Engagements -- Women4Cyber Sweden, DPP Swedish Standardisation Committee and Global Security Work Group.
Education -- Stockholm University (Data- and Systems Science), Berghs School of Communication, People Cert ITIL4 Foundation Certificate in Service Management.
Nicklas Lemon
Product Strategy & AI Expert, Sustainability & Resilient Business, Customer Experience, Innovation Tech and Ecosystems
Co-Founder at Holocen Tech -- Bringing 25+ years of experience in leadership, management consulting, and innovation to help deep-tech founders secure EIC Accelerator funding.
Strategic Product Owner, AI Expert & Senior Advisor at Exponential Roadmap Initiative -- Developing next generation exponential climate performance platforms, guiding companies on exponential climate action strategies aligned with 1.5 degree pathways.
Strategy, Data and Transformation Expert at Prosperous Planet (2025) -- Leading data-driven sustainability transformation initiatives for global organizations, with focus on Net Zero Roadmaps, EU Taxonomy Minimum Safeguards, and Physical Climate Risks.
Co-Head of Sustainability Management Consulting at AFRY (2022-2024) -- Led global sustainability consulting practice with 70+ consultants across 6 countries, responsible for business development, delivery, and team leadership.
CPO at Green Assets Wallet (2023-2021) -- Chief Product Officer leading fintech impact startup in blockchain-based sustainability solutions.
Senior Management Consultant at Influence AB (2021-2019) -- Business affairs, policy and service design consulting.
Head of Service Design Business Unit at ITCH (2019-2018) -- Led service design practice combining business strategy with customer experience.
Financial Services Leadership -- SEB (2006-2011): Center of Excellence Lead and Chief Spara & Placera; KPMG (2012-2011): Senior Management Consultant; Reuters London, Geneva, Norden (1996-2006): Multiple senior roles including Global Head Treasury Product Strategy and Head of Reuters Consulting Nordic.
Education -- Lund University: PhD (initiated) International Finance, Master's degree International Finance, Bachelor's degree Business and Administration. National Military Education: Team leader, Artillery.
Our Collective Strengths
360 Innovation Coverage
We cover every critical dimension: business strategy (Cecilia), technical excellence (Elin), and product-market fit (Nicklas). Complete, integrated support across all areas EIC assessors evaluate.
Insider Perspective
Nicklas's experience evaluating innovation proposals at VINNOVA gives us unique insight into what assessors look for. We know how applications are reviewed, what red flags to avoid, and how to frame your story for maximum impact.
Data-Driven Methodology
Our proprietary analysis of 6,932 EIC applications and deep-dive research into 90 winning companies means every recommendation is backed by data-driven patterns from successful applications.
Climate & Impact Focus
With Cecilia as an Al Gore Climate Reality Leader and Nicklas advising on exponential climate action, we deeply understand the impact narrative that resonates with EIC's mission to address global challenges.
Operator Mindset
We are operators with hands-on startup experience. Elin founded and scaled KiT, Cecilia leads strategy at T.Loop, and Nicklas built products at Green Assets Wallet. We have lived the startup journey and know what actually works.
Diverse Perspectives
Our gender-balanced team brings different lived experiences and problem-solving approaches. This diversity strengthens our ability to identify blind spots and craft applications that resonate with diverse evaluator panels.