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{{short description|Swedish billionaire entrepreneur (born 1966)}} {{short description|Swedish entrepreneur (born 1966)}}
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{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Niklas Zennström | name = Niklas Zennström
| image = Niklas Zennström with Loic Le Meur emoting in the background.jpg | image = Niklas Zennstrom TC 2016.jpg
| caption = Zennström with Loic Le Meur in the background | caption = Zennström in 2016
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'''Niklas Zennström''' ({{IPA-sv|ˈnɪ̌kːlas ˈsɛ̂nːstrœm|lang|Sv-Niklas_Zennström.ogg}}; born 16 February 1966) is a Swedish entrepreneur and technology investor. Zennström is also the co-founder of the charity organization Zennström Philanthropies. '''Niklas Zennström''' ({{IPA|sv|ˈnɪ̌kːlas ˈsɛ̂nːstrœm|lang|Sv-Niklas_Zennström.ogg}}; born 16 February 1966<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/web-whiz-seeks-next-big-thing-hx3wg87bzvc |title=Web whiz seeks Next Big Thing |date=6 June 2010 |work=The Sunday Times}}</ref>) is a Swedish entrepreneur and technology investor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tech entrepreneur Niklas Zennström: 'Let's break the Silicon Valley monopoly' |url=https://www.ft.com/content/104bc361-050a-43be-bc67-e8cf72d79734 |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=www.ft.com}}</ref> He is co-founder of the charity organization Zennström Philanthropies.


==Education== ==Education==
Zennström has dual degrees in ] (]) and ] (]) from ].<ref>{{cite web |title=On donations: Niklas Zennström |url=https://www.uu.se/en/support/views-on-donations/niklas-zennstrom/ |publisher=Uppsala University |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref> He spent his final year of schooling at the ], US.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} Zennström attended high school at ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Daniel |date=6 October 2015 |title=Klarna- och Skype-grundarna återvänder till gymnasiet |trans-title=The Klarna and Skype founders return to high school |url=https://www.di.se/digital/klarna--och-skype-grundarna-atervander-till-gymnasiet/ |work=Dagens industri |language=sv}}</ref> He has dual degrees in ] (]) and ] (]) from ].<ref>{{cite web |title=On donations: Niklas Zennström |url=https://www.uu.se/en/support/views-on-donations/niklas-zennstrom/ |publisher=Uppsala University |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref> He spent his final year of schooling at the ], US.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nikklas Zennstrom - Biography - ICC-2007|url=https://icc2007.ieee-icc.org/sp-zennstrom.html |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=www.ieee-icc.org}}</ref>


==Career== ==Career==
'''Niklas Zennström''', a prominent figure in the tech industry, began his professional journey in 1991 at Tele2, a European telecom operator. He held several business development positions, including overseeing the launch and management of get2net, a European Internet Service Provider, and serving as the CEO of the everyday.com portal. Zennström started his professional career in 1991 at the European telecom operator ]. He went on to serve in various business development roles including launching and being responsible for the European Internet Service Provider business get2net and as CEO of the everyday.com portal.


Zennström co-founded ],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kazaa |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/Kazaa}}</ref> a ] along with Janus Friis<ref>{{Cite web |last=Friis |first=Janus |title=Janus Friis |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/Janus_Friis}}</ref> in 2000. KaZaA quickly gained popularity as a peer-to-peer file-sharing application and became the most downloaded Internet software by 2003, with Zennström at the helm as CEO. However, KaZaA faced legal challenges from the music and motion picture industry and was eventually sold to Sharman Networks. In 2000, Zennström and ] co-founded ], a ] application. In 2003, with Zennström serving as CEO, the program became the world's most downloaded Internet software. After facing lawsuits filed by members of the United States' music and motion picture industry, Kazaa was sold to ].


Following the KaZaA venture, Zennström established Joltid, a software company focused on developing and marketing peer-to-peer solutions and traffic optimization technologies. Additionally, he co-founded Altnet, another peer-to-peer network. Zennström then founded and served as CEO at Joltid, a software company meant to develop and market ] solutions and traffic optimization technologies. He also co-founded Altnet, another peer-to-peer network.


Zennström's most notable achievement is the founding of '''Skype Technologies''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Skype Technologies |url=https://skype.com}}</ref> a telecommunications company that revolutionized communication. Under his leadership as CEO, Skype experienced tremendous growth and success. In 2005, '''eBay'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=eBay |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/EBay}}</ref> acquired Skype for €2.1 billion ($2.6 billion), with the potential for additional bonuses amounting to €1.2 billion. Zennström continued to lead Skype until September 2007. Zennström is best known for founding ], a ] company. In October 2005, Skype was acquired by ] for €2.1&nbsp;billion ($2.6&nbsp;billion) with the potential to earn further performance-based bonuses up to €1.2bn. Zennström was CEO of Skype from its inception until September 2007. He went on to launch ] in 2007, an online video distribution service.


In 2009, Zennström was part of the investment consortium that bought back ] from eBay and re-joined the Skype board. In May 2011, Skype was purchased by ] for $8.5&nbsp;billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=8500000000|start_year=2011}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}). It is reported that Zennström and Friis made approximately $1bn between them from the sale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malik |first=Om |date=9 May 2011 |title=Why Microsoft Is Buying Skype for $8.5 Billion |url=https://gigaom.com/2011/05/09/why-microsoft-is-buying-skype-for-8-billion/ |access-date=31 May 2018 |website=gigaom.com |archive-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606012008/https://gigaom.com/2011/05/09/why-microsoft-is-buying-skype-for-8-billion/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Zennström launched Joost,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joost |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/Joost}}</ref> an online video distribution service in 2007. However, Joost did not achieve the same level of success as Skype.


In November 2014, Zennström was inducted into SUP46's Swedish Startup Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://swedishstartupspace.com/2014/12/01/niklas-zennstrom-inducted-sup46s-swedish-startup-hall-fame-startup-hub-celebrated-first-year/|title=Niklas Zennström inducted into SUP46's Swedish Startup Hall of Fame as the startup hub celebrated its first year – Swedish Startup Space|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024109/http://swedishstartupspace.com/2014/12/01/niklas-zennstrom-inducted-sup46s-swedish-startup-hall-fame-startup-hub-celebrated-first-year/|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>
Zennström was part of the consortium that repurchased Skype Technologies from eBay 2009, and he rejoined the Skype board. In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion, a deal that proved highly lucrative for Zennström and Friis, who reportedly made approximately $1 billion from the sale.


Zennström is founder and former president of the European Tech Alliance (EUTA), a group of tech companies located around in Europe. The EUTA focuses on promoting Europe's tech industry.
Zennström's contributions to the tech industry extend beyond his entrepreneurial ventures. He was inducted into SUP46's Swedish Startup Hall of Fame in November 2014, recognizing his significant impact on the startup ecosystem. Additionally, Zennström founded and served as the former president of the European Tech Alliance (EUTA), an organization dedicated to promoting Europe's tech industry.


Currently, Zennström leads '''Atomico''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atomico |url=https://atomico.com/}}</ref> a venture capital firm based in London. Atomico focuses on investing in tech companies worldwide, and Zennström has played a pivotal role in funding over 200 companies across four continents. Some notable investments include Supercell,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Supercell, video game company |url=https://supercell.com/en/games/}}</ref> Rovio,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rovio Entertainment |url=https://www.rovio.com/}}</ref> Last.fm,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Last.fm |url=https://Last.fm}}</ref> Klarna,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Klarna |url=https://www.klarna.com/}}</ref> and Skype. Currently, Zennström runs ], a London-based venture capital firm which primarily invests in tech companies. Through ] he has invested in over 200 companies on four continents, including ], ], ], ], and ].{{cn|date=March 2023}}


== Philanthropy == == Philanthropy ==
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==Honors and awards== ==Honors and awards==
Zennström was recognized by Time Magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People in 2006, and has received numerous other awards for innovation and entrepreneurship.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Gosling |first1=James |title=The Skype Guys |url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1975813_1976769_1977403,00.html |access-date=20 July 2020 |magazine=Time |date=8 May 2006}}</ref> Zennström was recognized by Time Magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People in 2006, and has received numerous other awards for innovation and entrepreneurship.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Gosling |first1=James |title=The Skype Guys |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1975813_1976769_1977403,00.html |access-date=20 July 2020 |magazine=Time |date=8 May 2006}}</ref>


In 2006, he was voted Entrepreneur of the Year in the European Business Leaders Awards (EBLA).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/18041779|title=CNBC Europe Names the Top European Business Leaders for 2006|first=CNBC|last=Europe|website=] |date=10 April 2007}}</ref> In 2006, he was voted Entrepreneur of the Year in the European Business Leaders Awards (EBLA).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2007/04/10/cnbc-europe-names-the-top-european-business-leaders-for-2006.html|title=CNBC Europe Names the Top European Business Leaders for 2006|first=CNBC|last=Europe|website=] |date=10 April 2007}}</ref>


In October 2009, the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, awarded Zennström the KTH Great Prize "for his outstanding entrepreneurial and technological skills".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kth.se/en/om/fame/kths-stora-pris/2009-ars-pristagare-niklas-zennstrom-1.45727 |title=KTH &#124; the KTH Great Prize 2009 awarded to Niklas Zennström |access-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011050439/http://www.kth.se/en/om/fame/kths-stora-pris/2009-ars-pristagare-niklas-zennstrom-1.45727 |archive-date=11 October 2012 }}</ref> In October 2009, the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, awarded Zennström the KTH Great Prize "for his outstanding entrepreneurial and technological skills".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kth.se/en/om/fame/kths-stora-pris/2009-ars-pristagare-niklas-zennstrom-1.45727 |title=KTH &#124; the KTH Great Prize 2009 awarded to Niklas Zennström |access-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011050439/http://www.kth.se/en/om/fame/kths-stora-pris/2009-ars-pristagare-niklas-zennstrom-1.45727 |archive-date=11 October 2012 }}</ref>
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==Personal life== ==Personal life==
Zennström is married to Catherine Zennström. He is a keen yachtsman and has built and raced yachts in the ] .<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fretter |first1=Helen |title=Ràn VII: On board the Stealth Bomber of the Fast 40+ class |url=https://www.yachtingworld.com/extraordinary-boats/ran-vii-on-board-stealth-bomber-fast-40-plus-123243 |access-date=20 July 2020 |publisher=Yachting World |date=17 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Korotaeva |first1=Maria |title=Ran VII, the electric racing yacht from Skype billionaire Niklas Zennstrom |url=https://www.charterworld.com/news/ran-vii-electric-racing-yacht-skype-billionaire-niklas-zennstrom |access-date=20 July 2020 |publisher=Charter World |date=9 May 2018}}</ref> Zennström is married to Catherine Zennström. He is a keen yachtsman and has built and raced yachts in the ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fretter |first1=Helen |title=Ràn VII: On board the Stealth Bomber of the Fast 40+ class |url=https://www.yachtingworld.com/extraordinary-boats/ran-vii-on-board-stealth-bomber-fast-40-plus-123243 |access-date=20 July 2020 |publisher=Yachting World |date=17 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Korotaeva |first1=Maria |title=Ran VII, the electric racing yacht from Skype billionaire Niklas Zennstrom |url=https://www.charterworld.com/news/ran-vii-electric-racing-yacht-skype-billionaire-niklas-zennstrom |access-date=20 July 2020 |publisher=Charter World |date=9 May 2018}}</ref>


== References == == References ==

Latest revision as of 09:05, 17 November 2024

Swedish entrepreneur (born 1966)
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Niklas Zennström
Zennström in 2016
Born (1966-02-16) 16 February 1966 (age 58)
Järfälla, Sweden
EducationUppsala University (BSc, MSc)
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur and investor
SpouseCatherine Zennström

Niklas Zennström (Swedish: [ˈnɪ̌kːlas ˈsɛ̂nːstrœm] ; born 16 February 1966) is a Swedish entrepreneur and technology investor. He is co-founder of the charity organization Zennström Philanthropies.

Education

Zennström attended high school at Katedralskolan, Uppsala. He has dual degrees in Business Administration (BSc) and Engineering Physics (MSc) from Uppsala University. He spent his final year of schooling at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, US.

Career

Zennström started his professional career in 1991 at the European telecom operator Tele2. He went on to serve in various business development roles including launching and being responsible for the European Internet Service Provider business get2net and as CEO of the everyday.com portal.

In 2000, Zennström and Janus Friis co-founded Kazaa, a peer-to-peer file sharing application. In 2003, with Zennström serving as CEO, the program became the world's most downloaded Internet software. After facing lawsuits filed by members of the United States' music and motion picture industry, Kazaa was sold to Sharman Networks.

Zennström then founded and served as CEO at Joltid, a software company meant to develop and market peer-to-peer solutions and traffic optimization technologies. He also co-founded Altnet, another peer-to-peer network.

Zennström is best known for founding Skype Technologies, a telecommunications company. In October 2005, Skype was acquired by eBay for €2.1 billion ($2.6 billion) with the potential to earn further performance-based bonuses up to €1.2bn. Zennström was CEO of Skype from its inception until September 2007. He went on to launch Joost in 2007, an online video distribution service.

In 2009, Zennström was part of the investment consortium that bought back Skype Technologies from eBay and re-joined the Skype board. In May 2011, Skype was purchased by Microsoft for $8.5 billion (~$11.4 billion in 2023). It is reported that Zennström and Friis made approximately $1bn between them from the sale.

In November 2014, Zennström was inducted into SUP46's Swedish Startup Hall of Fame.

Zennström is founder and former president of the European Tech Alliance (EUTA), a group of tech companies located around in Europe. The EUTA focuses on promoting Europe's tech industry.

Currently, Zennström runs Atomico, a London-based venture capital firm which primarily invests in tech companies. Through Atomico he has invested in over 200 companies on four continents, including Supercell, Rovio, Last.fm, Klarna, and Skype.

Philanthropy

With his wife Catherine, Zennström founded Zennström Philanthropies which funds and donates to causes like tackling climate change and social entrepreneurship.

Honors and awards

Zennström was recognized by Time Magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People in 2006, and has received numerous other awards for innovation and entrepreneurship.

In 2006, he was voted Entrepreneur of the Year in the European Business Leaders Awards (EBLA).

In October 2009, the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, awarded Zennström the KTH Great Prize "for his outstanding entrepreneurial and technological skills".

In September 2011, Zennström received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Oxford University's Oxford Internet Institute.

In February 2013, Zennström was awarded H. M. The King's Medal of 12th size with a bright blue ribbon for significant contributions to Swedish industry and society.

In October 2013, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, IVA, awarded Zennström the gold medal for his "highly successful entrepreneurial achievements, creative innovation, high technical competence and outstanding leadership".

Personal life

Zennström is married to Catherine Zennström. He is a keen yachtsman and has built and raced yachts in the TP 52.

References

  1. "Web whiz seeks Next Big Thing". The Sunday Times. 6 June 2010.
  2. "Tech entrepreneur Niklas Zennström: 'Let's break the Silicon Valley monopoly'". www.ft.com. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  3. Goldberg, Daniel (6 October 2015). "Klarna- och Skype-grundarna återvänder till gymnasiet" [The Klarna and Skype founders return to high school]. Dagens industri (in Swedish).
  4. "On donations: Niklas Zennström". Uppsala University. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  5. "Nikklas Zennstrom - Biography - ICC-2007". www.ieee-icc.org. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  6. Malik, Om (9 May 2011). "Why Microsoft Is Buying Skype for $8.5 Billion". gigaom.com. Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  7. "Niklas Zennström inducted into SUP46's Swedish Startup Hall of Fame as the startup hub celebrated its first year – Swedish Startup Space". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  8. O'Hear, Steve (28 September 2018). "The Zennström manifesto". TechCrunch. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  9. Gosling, James (8 May 2006). "The Skype Guys". Time. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  10. Europe, CNBC (10 April 2007). "CNBC Europe Names the Top European Business Leaders for 2006". CNBC.
  11. "KTH | the KTH Great Prize 2009 awarded to Niklas Zennström". Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  12. "Internet Entrepreneur Niklas Zennström Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oxford Internet Institute – Oxford Internet Institute". Archived from the original on 11 July 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  13. "Kungen delade ut medaljer – se film här – Sveriges Kungahus". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 19 July 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  14. "Sidan kunde inte hittas". Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  15. Fretter, Helen (17 September 2019). "Ràn VII: On board the Stealth Bomber of the Fast 40+ class". Yachting World. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  16. Korotaeva, Maria (9 May 2018). "Ran VII, the electric racing yacht from Skype billionaire Niklas Zennstrom". Charter World. Retrieved 20 July 2020.

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