Pontus Ottosson is taking over from Sara Wallin as chief executive of Chalmers Ventures, promoting him from his position as head of investments.
Pontus Ottosson, currently the head of investments at Chalmers Ventures, the investment and incubation arm of the Chalmers University of Technology, will become chief executive on January 1, 2024.
Ottosson takes over from Sara Wallin, who has become chief executive of the Chalmers University of Technology Foundation after having led Chalmers Ventures for three years.
Ottosson’s appointment comes as Chalmers Ventures looks to increase its investment capacity once again — it will now have SEK90m ($8.8m) at its disposal in 2024 — up from SEK70m in 2023 and SEK50m in 20222, and a threefold increase on the SEK30m invested annually during Chalmers Ventures’ first five years from 2016.
Chalmers Ventures has been given a central role in the university’s Vision for 2041, whose aim is to grow the institution to a world-class institution including through commercial activities. The university also plans to grow its foundation as part of these plans, an aspect that now comes within Wallin’s purview.
Ottosson has been head of investments at Chalmers Ventures since May 2017, during which time the portfolio value has increased from SEK155m to SEK488m. He previously served as chief executive of life sciences firm Aqilion (then known as PULS).
Ottoson says: “Chalmers Ventures is one of the leading tech investors and venture builders in the Nordics. It is of course an honour and a fantastically exciting challenge to lead the operations forward. We will continue to act as a leading player that starts up, invests in, and develops unique deeptech companies.”
Thierry Heles
Thierry Heles is the editor of Global University Venturing, host of the Beyond the Breakthrough interview podcast and responsible for the monthly GUV Gazette (sign up here for free).
