Episode #12: From Activism to Venture Capital – Driving Sustainability with Gustav Stenbeck

In this episode

Meet Gustav Stenbeck, a former Head of Sustainability at Strawberry, the largest Nordic hotel chain, and ex-CEO of Mestro, a SaaS platform for energy efficiency in real estate. Now a venture capitalist, Gustav shares his remarkable journey and insights on leveraging investment to drive meaningful environmental change. He discusses his philosophy of balancing profit with purpose and the complex challenges and opportunities in the sustainability sector today.

Learn about: 

• The evolution of the sustainability profession over the past decade and its integration into business strategies.
• How impact investing can drive both financial returns and positive environmental outcomes.
• The potential of tech solutions, including AI, to optimize energy efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of buildings.
• The importance of transparency and accountability in public procurement to combat corruption and enhance public trust.
• Gustav’s unique investment approach, balancing impact with profitability and scalability.

About Alison Taylor

Gustav Stenbeck is a venture capitalist who started his career as an environmental activist. As the former Head of Sustainability at Strawberry and CEO of Mestro, Gustav has extensive experience in integrating sustainability into business models. His investment philosophy is driven by a desire to support companies that can both make money and contribute positively to the world. Gustav’s bold approach is built on the belief that true innovation should have the power to change the world for both the better and the worse, ensuring that the impact is significant and far-reaching.