{"id":5281,"date":"2019-12-09T11:24:18","date_gmt":"2019-12-09T10:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myspeaker.se\/profiles\/nicklas-bergman\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T11:57:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T09:57:00","slug":"nicklas-bergman","status":"publish","type":"profile","link":"https:\/\/myspeaker.se\/en\/speakers\/nicklas-bergman\/","title":{"rendered":"Nicklas Bergman"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Nicklas Bergman is a Swedish entrepreneur and deep-tech investor with several decades of experience building companies across diverse industries, regions, and economic cycles. Over the years, his ventures have failed, bounced back, scaled globally, been acquired by major industry players, and been listed on the stock exchange. Since its inception in 2020, he\u2019s also served as an investment advisor to the EIC Fund, a \u20ac10 billion deep-tech venture capital fund that backs more than 100 European startups each year.<\/p>\n

Through his work as a business angel and venture capitalist, he puts his money where his mouth is. With unparalleled access to the fast-paced world of science, innovation, emerging technologies, and the hottest startups, he has spent decades in the field learning to see beyond buzzwords, hype, and baseless claims about the “next big thing”. Instead, he focuses on real impact, lasting change, and on what truly matters. At the moment, this ranges from quantum computing and the latest biotech applications to the geopolitical implications of technology and the ever-present question of whether we\u2019re in the midst of an AI bubble.<\/p>\n

As an entrepreneur, Nicklas is especially proud to have been part of founding and scaling a truck distribution network in Eastern Europe to a \u20ac300 million turnover in 15 years, taking a novel nanotechnology company from idea to more than 150 high-profile clients worldwide, and building a ski resort from scratch that attracted close to \u20ac500 million of investment to the region.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s made plenty of mistakes, been responsible for epic failures, and been fortunate enough to play a part in some major successes along the way. Over the years, he has passed on investments that later became unicorns and has wasted far too many hours in endless meetings.<\/p>\n

Nicklas is an early adopter, sometimes painfully so, drawn to the cutting edge where technology drives change and science fiction becomes real-world innovation and business creation. He loves disappearing down tech rabbit holes to uncover what\u2019s really happening beneath the surface and to spot second-order effects that signal lasting impacts beyond the obvious.<\/p>\n

A couple of years ago, he cleared his schedule and set out to understand where technology is taking us and whether we are prepared for the looming techstorm. His conclusion: Despite numerous challenges, the future is bright. The road ahead will be neither straight nor easy, but the key is to take the wheel and ensure that technology works for us rather than controls us.<\/p>\n

The outcome: “Navigating the Techstorm – The Business Impact of Technology Beyond the Hype”, Nicklas\u2019 take on how to prepare and act in times of technological uncertainty. The book was featured by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of their top 10 business books.
\nToday, he divides his time between technology investments, a couple of his own skunkworks projects, and speaking, writing, and advising on the future of technology, business, and society.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n Mastering The Intelligence Revolution – Part 1: AI <\/h3>\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The world is currently witnessing an unprecedented surge in the adoption of generative AI technology.<\/p>\n

The sheer volume of innovative features and remarkable use cases can be overwhelming, but this is merely the beginning! We stand on the threshold of a thrilling, transformative intelligence revolution with incredible potential for the future. In all its glory, let\u2019s just not forget that we\u2019re all responsible for using AI in a sensible way.<\/p>\n

Join Nicklas on an exhilarating journey through the diverse landscape of AI. Experience the wonder, vast opportunities, and practical applications it offers, while also grappling with the ethical dilemmas, cybersecurity threats, and implementation hurdles that demand our attention. Grounded in his firsthand insights and experiences in startup scaling and VC investing, this exploration will empower you to see beyond the hype and navigate the future of AI with confidence.<\/p>\n

What the audience will leave with:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 The ability to tell signal from noise. Instead of chasing every new feature, they’ll learn to find the two or three uses that actually move their numbers, a filter that carries weight because Nicklas puts his own money behind these calls.
\n\u2022 An answer to “Is this a bubble?” They leave with a clear way to plan around it: Keep building on the technology while staying sober about the valuations. No fear, no hype, just steadier footing than most rooms walk in with.
\n\u2022 Agency instead of anxiety. They’ll see that the calls on ethics, security, and messy rollouts are theirs to make this quarter, not a regulator’s to make later. \u00a0People walk out ready to act on Monday.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/details>\n\n \n

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\n Mastering The Intelligence Revolution – Part 2: Quantum <\/h3>\n <\/summary>\n\n
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Just when you think you\u2019ve mastered Artificial intelligence, the next wave of compute emerges: Quantum computing!<\/p>\n

This novel approach to problem-solving has the potential to transform our world. It brings exciting opportunities for businesses and governments but also significant security challenges for those who aren\u2019t prepared. Adopting this technology isn\u2019t as straightforward as AI prompting, but it\u2019s nevertheless critical for success in our rapidly evolving tech landscape.<\/p>\n

In this talk, Nicklas will invite you into the remarkable and often bewildering world of quantum computing, sharing his firsthand insights about where the field is heading. From his work with the 10 billion EUR EIC Fund, he can draw impactful conclusions from more than 20 quantum investments, highlighting their transformative effects on businesses and society. Discover how you can proactively quantum-proof yourself and your company to stay at the forefront of this technological (quantum) leap.<\/p>\n

What the audience will leave with:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 A calibrated read on where quantum actually is. What’s real today, what’s five to ten years out, and what\u2019s being oversold? All so that you can tell a fundable claim from a press release.
\n\u2022 The security clock is already running. Encrypted data stolen today can be decrypted once quantum matures. Nicklas explains “harvest now, decrypt later” and the move to post-quantum cryptography that every leader should raise this year.
\n\u2022 How to quantum-proof an organization that isn’t a physics lab. Where the real value sits, in areas like optimization, logistics, materials, chemistry, and a sensible one-to-three-year plan to get ready without overspending.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/details>\n\n \n

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\n Navigating the Techstorm – Finding Substance Beyond the Hype <\/h3>\n <\/summary>\n\n
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We\u2019re rapidly entering a phase of technology convergence not seen in over a century. Today, when intelligence goes artificial, and robots turn biological, it\u2019s crucial to identify innovation trends both within and beyond your industry. The rapid rise of new technologies is thrilling yet overwhelming, as many struggle to keep pace with the latest innovations and gadgets. Staying ahead is crucial, but can be challenging for everyone trying to adapt.<\/p>\n

Building on 30 years of experience in technology entrepreneurship and investing, Nicklas shares his unique, personal perspective on how technology is driving change in business and society.<\/p>\n

Understanding the current state of technology and its effects is essential to staying competitive. Drawing on his own experiences navigating the Techstorm and building businesses in times of great uncertainty, Nicklas shares his proven tools and frameworks for understanding the times we\u2019re in.<\/p>\n

What the audience will leave with:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 A filter for substance over hype. Instead of a snapshot of this year’s gadgets that’s stale by next quarter, they get a repeatable way to judge any new technology on its merits. This is actually a framework that carries weight because Nicklas has applied it across multiple cycles with his own money at stake.
\n\u2022 A sense of where the real change comes from. The biggest shifts rarely start in your own industry and rarely from one technology alone. Nicklas shows audiences how to watch the convergence and adjacent sectors, where the change that’ll hit their business is actually taking shape.
\n\u2022 A way to act when the picture isn’t clear. Nicklas has built companies amid genuine uncertainty, and he shares the frameworks he uses to make decisions before the fog lifts. People leave with footing instead of overwhelm, ready to move this quarter rather than wait for a certainty that never comes.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/details>\n\n \n

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\n Geopolitics and the Quest for Technological Supremacy – USA vs. China, and what about Europe? <\/h3>\n <\/summary>\n\n
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Now that we, at least for the moment, leave globalism behind, the battle for geopolitical dominance and sovereignty becomes pressing. Old alliances are dropped, and new ones are emerging.<\/p>\n

In this new world order, the fight for natural resources, industrial strength, and technological edge is intensifying. The main contenders on the world stage are the US and China, with Europe, India, and the Gulf States fighting for a spot among the top 3.<\/p>\n

With his background in international business and tech investing, especially through his work with the 10 billion EUR EIC Fund, Nicklas is uniquely positioned to offer an insider\u2019s view of the latest technology driven geopolitical trends and power struggles. In this keynote, Nicklas will also provide actionable insights for countries, industries, and companies, tailored to the audience’s preferences.<\/p>\n

What the audience will leave with:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 A clear map of the real power struggle. Who’s actually ahead in the technologies that decide this race, whether it\u2019s chips, AI, energy, or critical materials, and why, stripped of the news-cycle drama. The read carries weight because Nicklas sees these companies from the inside as an investor, not from the outside as a commentator.
\n\u2022 A straight answer on “what about Europe?” Where Europe, India, and the Gulf genuinely stand, where they can still compete, and where they’re already dependent on someone else. The audience leaves with a sober assessment instead of either doom or denial.
\n\u2022 A handle on your own exposure. Most companies don’t know which of their supply chains, tools, or markets sit on contested ground until it’s too late. Nicklas helps the room identify those dependencies and outlines the moves (for a company, an industry, or a country) to reduce risk this year.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/details>\n\n \n

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\n Thriving in Times of Great Uncertainty – Learnings From 30 years in the Startup and VC trenches <\/h3>\n <\/summary>\n\n
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We\u2019re all familiar with the saying “Uncertainty is the new normal”, right? And as much as this is true, how did we end up here? Irrational leaders, technological disruption, and environmental havoc are all parts of the equation. Add to this an emerging new world order that may leave globalism behind. Disrupted supply chains, obsolete business models, and the latest TikTok trends are adding to the confusion.<\/p>\n

How can we better understand and act in this new normal? Having built companies in emerging markets as well as in emerging technologies, Nicklas has learned the hard way how to turn uncertainty into a competitive advantage. In this keynote, he shares stories about successes and failures and explains the framework he\u2019s using to bring clarity in times of ambiguity. All with the ambition that the audience will leave with tools and techniques to make uncertainty work for them.<\/p>\n

What the audience will leave with:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 A framework for clarity in ambiguity. Not “embrace change” platitudes, but the actual method Nicklas uses to make decisions without full information, built over 30 years with his own money and reputation on the line. The audience leaves able to apply it the next time the ground shifts.
\n\u2022 A way to turn uncertainty into an advantage. Most organizations freeze when the picture blurs, and that’s exactly where the edge is. Nicklas shows how to position so that volatility works for the room rather than against it.
\n\u2022 The honest lessons, successes, and failures. This isn’t a highlight reel. Nicklas walks through what actually worked and what cost him, so the audience can recognize the pattern without paying the same tuition.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/details>\n\n \n

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\n Black Swans, Megatrends, and Inevitable Surprises – The Future is Brighter Than You Think! <\/h3>\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The future is not what it used to be! When people in the 20th century pictured the future, they saw smart machines, flying cars, and household robots. Now that we ride in self-driving cars, have interesting (?) conversations with our personal AIs, and finally have humanoid robots coming off the assembly lines, have we reached “peak innovation”? Is this as good as it gets, or will there be even more marvels in the coming years and decades?<\/p>\n

In this (fast) forward-focused keynote, Nicklas shares his interpretation of what he sees at the forefront of science and innovation. Not the next cool gadget, but rather the megatrends shaping society in the coming decades. What do we want technology to do? What challenges are we facing? How can we stay optimistic? Prepare for a mind-boggling excursion at the crossroads of technology, philosophy, and culture.<\/p>\n

What the audience will leave with:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 A read on the megatrends that actually matter. Not the gadget of the week, but the deep currents shaping society over the coming decades, and why we’re nowhere near peak innovation. The audience leaves with a longer horizon than the news cycle typically offers.
\n\u2022 A grounded case for optimism. The future appears more promising than the doom narrative indicates. Nicklas presents this perspective not as cheerleading but as someone who personally invests in the future. People leave with an understanding that they can be in charge of their own future.
\n\u2022 A sharper question than “what’s next?” What do we want technology to do for us? At the crossroads of technology, philosophy, and culture, Nicklas reframes the future as something we all help shape rather than something that simply happens to it. The audience leaves with a sense of agency about where this is all heading.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/details>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n<\/section>\n\n\n

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