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December 5 @ 9:00 am - 10:30 am PST
FreeCrossing Borders: Minna Technologies’ Acquisition by Mastercard
Engage with Joakim Sjöblom, an accomplished entrepreneur with a diverse, international journey. He launched his startup in Sweden, achieving 300,000 downloads—an impressive 3% adoption rate among the Swedish population—with his B2B2C application before expanding to the US market.
He will share pivotal moments, including navigating corporate venture capital with Visa and selling his company, Minna Technologies, to Mastercard. Joakim’s journey includes a spontaneous pitch at a tech event that led to a crucial partnership with Swedbank, which became the first enterprise customer. This endorsement opened doors to banks in Denmark, Finland, Belgium, and the UK.
Joakim will emphasize the importance of being “heads up” to seize transformative opportunities while managing the “heads down” work needed to build and scale a startup. He will provide practical advice on becoming fundable, acquiring first customers, and leveraging mentorship and networking for growth. His experiences demonstrate that engaging with networks can yield dividends throughout one’s career.
Despite challenges, including COVID-19’s impact on innovation budgets, Joakim made the bold decision to move to Charlotte, North Carolina. This pivot allowed him to penetrate the US market, resulting in significant contracts and ultimately selling to Mastercard.
Bring your questions and connect with a community of like-minded founders ready to learn and grow together!
Opening Remarks @ 9:00am PT
Join us for opening remarks with Dina Fattom, Member Success Manager at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.
Keynote Speaker @ 9:10am PT
Joakim Sjöblom is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in building and scaling innovative companies. As the founder and CEO of Minna Technologies, he has played a pivotal role in transforming subscription management within the fintech sector. Under his leadership, Minna partnered with leading retail banks across Europe, facilitating seamless digital experiences for millions of consumers. Joakim’s vision culminated in the successful acquisition of Minna by Mastercard, marking a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.
Throughout his career, Joakim has founded three companies and raised over $30 million in venture funding. His accomplishments have earned him nominations for several prestigious awards, including Young Innovation Leader of the Year by Arthur D. Little and a scholarship from Carl XVI Gustaf’s Foundation for Young Leadership. A recognized thought leader, Joakim frequently shares insights on future digital banking trends, particularly regarding consumer behavior and the digital expectations of the millennial generation.
Currently, Joakim is exploring new ventures in stealth mode while leveraging his expertise to innovate in the defense industry.
Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:00am PT
Complimentary Ticket:
Are you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership.
About Founders Network:
Founded in 2011, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here
Confidentiality Policy
All information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors, members, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity, Humility, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
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