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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Olav brings over three decades of experience from investment banking to Sarsia. His previous career spans financial institutions including First Securities, Swedbank, SpareBank 1 Markets, and Obligo Investment Management. Currently serving as a consultant, he leverages his understanding of financial regulatory frameworks to provide strategic and operational guidance. At Sarsia, he oversees regulatory compliance and governance matters, ensuring adherence to the complex regulatory landscape governing Sarsia's fund management activities.
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.
