When Mikael Johnsson first stepped into venture capital, it was meant to be a three-year stint to “see how things worked” before launching his own company. Twenty-five years later, he’s a General Partner of a firm he co-founded, as committed as ever to helping European companies achieve their full potential.
I came in thinking I’d learn the ropes and then build my own thing. Here I am, 25 years later—still on the investor side, and still learning.
Joining the industry during the whirlwind of the dot-com boom, Mikael has experienced multiple market cycles—the thrill of tech innovation and growth, and the sobering reality of corrections. Mikael has built his philosophy around the fact that every successful investment starts with a solid foundation. He’s deeply involved in helping founders optimise for the right things at the right time, knowing from experience that scaling requires both foresight and patience. His track record includes standout Nordic B2B companies, and his hands-on approach has made him a trusted ally, advisor, and mentor to several founders. He currently serves on the board of 5 companies and is Chairman at Funnel.
Great companies don’t just happen—they’re built on a series of smart decisions by people with vision, grit, and a relentless drive to solve real problems. We support those founders every step of the way.
Mikael and Oxx’s co-founder, Richard, are convinced that world-class software companies for professional users can be built and run in Europe, not just the US. Mikael’s curiosity and tenacity have become hallmarks of his role in leading this charge. Known for being quite competitive and “just damn stubborn,” Mikael believes this quality has served him well over the years, helping him weather market shifts, work through complex deals, and stay deeply invested in the journeys of the founders he supports.
Once you catch the bug for building, it’s hard to kick the habit. There’s just something addictive about turning an idea into reality.
As an active angel investor in early-stage companies, Mikael sees this as a way to build early-stage relationships and stay updated on emerging technologies and trends. This intellectual curiosity also extends beyond work. An avid skier and outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys the mental reset that only nature and moving can bring. For him, scaling a mountain and scaling a company share a common philosophy: both require resilience, commitment, and a belief in the journey as much as the destination.
