Background in science, experience from industry

Sarsia strenght lies in our differences; people with diverse backgrounds, knowledge and experience giving different perspectives.

We are academics, engineers, optimists and realists. Our people consist of professionals with backgrounds from academia (at doctorate level) and industry (board and senior management level), from a diverse array of fields including economics, biology, physics, oceanography, technology, pharmacology and therapeutics. Our experience spans technology transfer to environmental protection. No matter who you meet, you will discover that experience, patience, curiosity and realism are fundamental to our operations.

  • Portrait of Sveinung Hole

    Sveinung Hole

    MBA

    Managing Partner

    Sveinung brings experience from business development, corporate finance as well as investment management. Sveinung has managed large turn-around processes, negotiated trade sales and been lead investor/board member in IPOs. He has extensive leadership-, board- and chair experience from VC-funds, listed companies, private companies and foundations. Sveinung has also held public engagements like heading “HelseOmsorg21-rådet” and been on the board of “Helse Bergen HF”. Prior to (re-)joining Sarsia Sveinung headed the largest research funding foundations of Norway.

  • Portrait of Marit Wick

    Marit Wick

    Partner and CFO

    Marit Wick has 20 years experience from financial and administrative management, as well as strategic-, organizational- and M&A management experience from private and publicly traded industrial companies within the off-shore industry, food industry, real estate and life science sector.

  • Portrait of Øivind Enger

    Øivind Enger

    Ph.D in microbiology

    Partner, Life Science

    Øivind has over 13 years of research experience in molecular biology and fish disease, and 5 years in commercialising research based projects in biology, aqua culture, medicine and biotechnology. He has several years of managerial and board experience from position with Sarsia Innovation AS.

  • Portrait of Jon Trygve Berg

    Jon Trygve Berg

    Siv. Ing., MBA, CEFA

    Partner Technology, Energy and Sustainability

    Jon bring 14 years of VC experience in technology companies. Jon sits on the board of Heimdall Power, WindSim, ISN-GreenPowerHub, Trisense, Xsens and SeaSmart. Jon is a mechanical engineer and authorised financial analyst (CEFA). He has experience as CEO from early stage start ups like GexCon and PE&C and CTO from VC backed AI/Speech technology start up NST.

  • Portrait of Farzad Abdi-Dezfuli

    Farzad Abdi-Dezfuli

    PhD (Pharmacology)

    Partner Life Sciences

    Farzad’s background is in preclinical and clinical research with drug development experience from US based global pharma in the US and Norway. He has 17 years of experience in commercializing medical/biotech projects from the Sarsia investment system. Farzad received his doctorate in pharmacology from the University of Edinburgh Medical School, UK and postdoctoral training from Haukeland University Hospital Bergen, Norway.

  • Portrait of Hilde Holdhus

    Hilde Holdhus

    MSc Physical Oceanography, AFA/CEFA

    Partner Technology, Energy and Sustainability

    Hilde Holdhus boasts a diverse career spanning technology innovation, energy transition, strategic development, and environmental sustainability. With beginnings in weather forecasting and climate education, she advanced into leadership in startups and scaleups, blending science, innovation, and business skills. She serves on several of Sarsia portfolio company boards, applying financial and sustainable development expertise. Her academic qualifications include ocean physics, business development, and financial analysis (AFA/CEFA).

  • Portrait of Jon-Kåre Hansen

    Jon-Kåre Hansen

    Dr.Ing. Applied Physics

    Partner Technology, Energy and Sustainability

    Jon-Kåre has 20 years of experience within research and development from the industry, including instrumentation, telecom, banking and education software. Always an engineer at heart, but with substantial management experience from SaaS and scale-ups, in international markets. Research background in theoretical and applied physics, and holds a Dr.Ing. from NTNU, Trondheim.

  • Portrait of Henrik Solberg-Johansen

    Henrik Solberg-Johansen

    MBA

    Partner Technology, Energy and Sustainability

    Henrik has 30 years experience with commercialization, financing, financial restructuring, mergers & acquisitions. The last years before joining Sarsia, he worked with commercialising results from research, and from his positions as CFO of NORCE and TTS and as partner with EY, he has led professional teams in Norway and European and Asian countries. He has a deep understanding of corporate management, financial management and control, corporate legal requirements, and transactions.

  • Portrait of Erlend Skagseth

    Erlend Skagseth

    MBA

    Senior Partner

    Erlend brings 20 years of experience from R&D based IPR, project- and business development from Christian Michelsen Research, Forinnova and Sarsia Innovation. Has managed several turnaround processes and negotiated a large number of international contracts, licenses and trade exits. Broad board experience.

  • Portrait of Maija Slaidiņa

    Maija Slaidiņa

    Ph.D (Life and Health Sciences), MBA

    Investment Manager, Life Science

    Maija has over 15 years of research experience from US, France, Sweden and Germany. She is expert in technology transfer and innovation management. She brings technical, analytical and development knowledge and capacity to the team. Prior to joining Sarsia, Maija served as an assistant director of a medical incubator and managed the relevant deal flow from research environments.

Advisors

  • Portrait of Hans Hekland

    Hans Hekland

    Associate advisor

    Hans Hekland has 30 years of international business development and corporate finance experience from both industry and venture capital, including a number of financial transactions such as stock exchange listings and M&As.

Read more about our work

  • Approach

    Reliability is at the core of what we do

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  • Life Sciences

    We invest in a healthier future

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  • Technology, Energy and Sustainability

    We are conscious of our responsibility

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