Mads Vad Kristensen
@madsjvk.com
Hands-on #innovator and #Venture Builder at DTU Skylab looking to #help great people #succeed. +25 years of #experience. #Thinker & #Doer.
Based in #Copenhagen, Denmark. Passionate about my #family, #friends, #LEGO and Blackburn Rovers.
Based in #Copenhagen, Denmark. Passionate about my #family, #friends, #LEGO and Blackburn Rovers.
Pinned
Mads Vad Kristensen
@madsjvk.com
· Sep 2
Notes From a Venture Builder | Notion
Bits, pieces and stray thoughts on research-based innovation, startup building and execution by Mads Vad Kristensen, Innovation Partner @ DTU Skylab
Feel free to connect on LinkedIn or follow me on B...
madsjvk.notion.site
New micro-blogging site for sharing short notes and observations on #innovation from my daily work at DTU Skylab helping turn #research into #startups.
madsjvk.notion.site
madsjvk.notion.site
Super interesting book with a vivid and chilling account of the challenges we’re facing. Highly recommended.
The suggested solution however is as Utopian and dysfunctional as the Soviet Union.
Diagnosis spot on. The cure loses the plot completely.
We need to do better.
The suggested solution however is as Utopian and dysfunctional as the Soviet Union.
Diagnosis spot on. The cure loses the plot completely.
We need to do better.
February 14, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Super interesting book with a vivid and chilling account of the challenges we’re facing. Highly recommended.
The suggested solution however is as Utopian and dysfunctional as the Soviet Union.
Diagnosis spot on. The cure loses the plot completely.
We need to do better.
The suggested solution however is as Utopian and dysfunctional as the Soviet Union.
Diagnosis spot on. The cure loses the plot completely.
We need to do better.
Every time some BigTech exec AI is going to change how business operate in the next few years, remember the motivation behind saying it:
(1) They are looking to sell you more AI because they...
(2) NEED to sell you more AI to justify the crazy valuations.
1/
(1) They are looking to sell you more AI because they...
(2) NEED to sell you more AI to justify the crazy valuations.
1/
February 13, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Every time some BigTech exec AI is going to change how business operate in the next few years, remember the motivation behind saying it:
(1) They are looking to sell you more AI because they...
(2) NEED to sell you more AI to justify the crazy valuations.
1/
(1) They are looking to sell you more AI because they...
(2) NEED to sell you more AI to justify the crazy valuations.
1/
Super quiet day at the office today with most people taking an extended weekend for the last part of the school winter holiday.
February 13, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Super quiet day at the office today with most people taking an extended weekend for the last part of the school winter holiday.
It's great to see all the policy decisions on how to help foster European innovation happening. The willingness to run the extra mile to help make innovation happen and grow the next billion dollar companies has never been bigger.
But it is missing the point a bit in its focus IMHO.
1/
But it is missing the point a bit in its focus IMHO.
1/
February 12, 2026 at 7:51 AM
It's great to see all the policy decisions on how to help foster European innovation happening. The willingness to run the extra mile to help make innovation happen and grow the next billion dollar companies has never been bigger.
But it is missing the point a bit in its focus IMHO.
1/
But it is missing the point a bit in its focus IMHO.
1/
First mentor meeting with my new X-Tech Team today.
Always a pleasure meeting brilliant students who want to learn and get the most from the experience.
Always a pleasure meeting brilliant students who want to learn and get the most from the experience.
February 10, 2026 at 11:25 AM
First mentor meeting with my new X-Tech Team today.
Always a pleasure meeting brilliant students who want to learn and get the most from the experience.
Always a pleasure meeting brilliant students who want to learn and get the most from the experience.
So true.
Many peoples key skill is to delay action, because that is the easy thing to do very short term.
Problem is that this pattern of behaviour has a tendency to come back to haunt you later on.
jimcarroll.com/2026/02/dail...
Many peoples key skill is to delay action, because that is the easy thing to do very short term.
Problem is that this pattern of behaviour has a tendency to come back to haunt you later on.
jimcarroll.com/2026/02/dail...
Daily Inspiration: “It’s easy to make excuses to avoid taking action. It requires discipline to find reasons to act.”
jimcarroll.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:37 AM
So true.
Many peoples key skill is to delay action, because that is the easy thing to do very short term.
Problem is that this pattern of behaviour has a tendency to come back to haunt you later on.
jimcarroll.com/2026/02/dail...
Many peoples key skill is to delay action, because that is the easy thing to do very short term.
Problem is that this pattern of behaviour has a tendency to come back to haunt you later on.
jimcarroll.com/2026/02/dail...
Winter vacation week for some. Work week for others.
The good thing about many people being away is the peace and quiet to dig deep in some of the things that require a bit more focus.
The good thing about many people being away is the peace and quiet to dig deep in some of the things that require a bit more focus.
February 9, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Winter vacation week for some. Work week for others.
The good thing about many people being away is the peace and quiet to dig deep in some of the things that require a bit more focus.
The good thing about many people being away is the peace and quiet to dig deep in some of the things that require a bit more focus.
Actions you take have ripple effects. What goes around, comes around. That's how the universe works.
So when you fake it, you also set yourself up for getting found out and called on it. With all the ripple effects that might have for you.
Remember that.
Lead with honesty and integrity.
So when you fake it, you also set yourself up for getting found out and called on it. With all the ripple effects that might have for you.
Remember that.
Lead with honesty and integrity.
February 6, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Actions you take have ripple effects. What goes around, comes around. That's how the universe works.
So when you fake it, you also set yourself up for getting found out and called on it. With all the ripple effects that might have for you.
Remember that.
Lead with honesty and integrity.
So when you fake it, you also set yourself up for getting found out and called on it. With all the ripple effects that might have for you.
Remember that.
Lead with honesty and integrity.
Working from home due to heavy snow fall the last 24 hours.
Did I mention how much I hate and utterly detest snow?
I do.
Did I mention how much I hate and utterly detest snow?
I do.
February 6, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Working from home due to heavy snow fall the last 24 hours.
Did I mention how much I hate and utterly detest snow?
I do.
Did I mention how much I hate and utterly detest snow?
I do.
While I fundamentally agree that any product advice, a founder should ever take, should come from customers, I also firmly believe another thing:
Any advice should always lead to something the founder(s) can go and do to learn more and validate their assumptions.
medium.com/entrepreneur...
Any advice should always lead to something the founder(s) can go and do to learn more and validate their assumptions.
medium.com/entrepreneur...
The Surprising Danger of Getting Too Much Startup Advice
Getting advice from experienced startup mentors is important, but it also comes with an unexpected risk.
medium.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:53 AM
While I fundamentally agree that any product advice, a founder should ever take, should come from customers, I also firmly believe another thing:
Any advice should always lead to something the founder(s) can go and do to learn more and validate their assumptions.
medium.com/entrepreneur...
Any advice should always lead to something the founder(s) can go and do to learn more and validate their assumptions.
medium.com/entrepreneur...
Thoroughly enjoyed our team offsite yesterday and the excellent opportunity to get to know people, their skills and their passions better.
In a busy work-environment we often fail to be curious about what drives, motivates and demotivates people. It is a crying shame.
1/
In a busy work-environment we often fail to be curious about what drives, motivates and demotivates people. It is a crying shame.
1/
February 5, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Thoroughly enjoyed our team offsite yesterday and the excellent opportunity to get to know people, their skills and their passions better.
In a busy work-environment we often fail to be curious about what drives, motivates and demotivates people. It is a crying shame.
1/
In a busy work-environment we often fail to be curious about what drives, motivates and demotivates people. It is a crying shame.
1/
Gate meetings on the Skylab Startup Program today.
Always interesting to see how teams are progressing and figure out ways to help them move forward.
Always interesting to see how teams are progressing and figure out ways to help them move forward.
February 3, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Gate meetings on the Skylab Startup Program today.
Always interesting to see how teams are progressing and figure out ways to help them move forward.
Always interesting to see how teams are progressing and figure out ways to help them move forward.
Sometimes peoples LinkedIn headlines are infinitely more interesting than what they actually do.
Creativity is a powerful concept.
Creativity is a powerful concept.
February 3, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Sometimes peoples LinkedIn headlines are infinitely more interesting than what they actually do.
Creativity is a powerful concept.
Creativity is a powerful concept.
Following up with a number of teams today.
Part of the challenge of helping researchers create spinouts is to ensure momentum and balance the workload between research commitments and working on progressing the startup plans.
1/
Part of the challenge of helping researchers create spinouts is to ensure momentum and balance the workload between research commitments and working on progressing the startup plans.
1/
February 3, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Following up with a number of teams today.
Part of the challenge of helping researchers create spinouts is to ensure momentum and balance the workload between research commitments and working on progressing the startup plans.
1/
Part of the challenge of helping researchers create spinouts is to ensure momentum and balance the workload between research commitments and working on progressing the startup plans.
1/
Reflecting a bit on January. What a whirlwind here, there and everywhere in between.
The optimist has a feeling this could be a real stand out year...
The optimist has a feeling this could be a real stand out year...
January 30, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Reflecting a bit on January. What a whirlwind here, there and everywhere in between.
The optimist has a feeling this could be a real stand out year...
The optimist has a feeling this could be a real stand out year...
Yesterday was a nightmare day for Microsoft investors with the stock being 10 % down following Q2 earnings.
But that is not the worst part. The worst part is part of the reason: That AI (OpenAI in particular) counts for 45% of the backlog on commercial revenue.
That's a lot & a HUGE problem.
1/
But that is not the worst part. The worst part is part of the reason: That AI (OpenAI in particular) counts for 45% of the backlog on commercial revenue.
That's a lot & a HUGE problem.
1/
January 30, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Yesterday was a nightmare day for Microsoft investors with the stock being 10 % down following Q2 earnings.
But that is not the worst part. The worst part is part of the reason: That AI (OpenAI in particular) counts for 45% of the backlog on commercial revenue.
That's a lot & a HUGE problem.
1/
But that is not the worst part. The worst part is part of the reason: That AI (OpenAI in particular) counts for 45% of the backlog on commercial revenue.
That's a lot & a HUGE problem.
1/
The narrative about startup culture of often about big egos.
In reality it should be about something completely different:
Accountability.
madsjvk.com/the-one-thin...
In reality it should be about something completely different:
Accountability.
madsjvk.com/the-one-thin...
The one thing that can make or break your startup team
It is a pretty simple yet often overlooked concept
madsjvk.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:02 AM
The narrative about startup culture of often about big egos.
In reality it should be about something completely different:
Accountability.
madsjvk.com/the-one-thin...
In reality it should be about something completely different:
Accountability.
madsjvk.com/the-one-thin...
Reposted by Mads Vad Kristensen
Back in school today attending day one of DTU Board Certificate in Digital Innovation.
Super interesting. The need for experienced board operators, who can ask the critical and tough questions on digitalization strategies and initiatives is high.
Super interesting. The need for experienced board operators, who can ask the critical and tough questions on digitalization strategies and initiatives is high.
January 27, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Back in school today attending day one of DTU Board Certificate in Digital Innovation.
Super interesting. The need for experienced board operators, who can ask the critical and tough questions on digitalization strategies and initiatives is high.
Super interesting. The need for experienced board operators, who can ask the critical and tough questions on digitalization strategies and initiatives is high.
Did the last of this years annual innovation meetings at my departments today. Lots of momentum and great new stuff coming out. Good vibes all around.
Looking forward to continuing the great work with the researchers and help move amazing inventions to market.
Looking forward to continuing the great work with the researchers and help move amazing inventions to market.
January 26, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Did the last of this years annual innovation meetings at my departments today. Lots of momentum and great new stuff coming out. Good vibes all around.
Looking forward to continuing the great work with the researchers and help move amazing inventions to market.
Looking forward to continuing the great work with the researchers and help move amazing inventions to market.
First research-based startup from one of my departments in 2026 incorporated!
Bring it on! Love helping talented researchers take their research out into impactful startups!
Bring it on! Love helping talented researchers take their research out into impactful startups!
January 26, 2026 at 12:10 PM
First research-based startup from one of my departments in 2026 incorporated!
Bring it on! Love helping talented researchers take their research out into impactful startups!
Bring it on! Love helping talented researchers take their research out into impactful startups!
Looking so much forward to reading this one.
I believe Alexander Stubb is an impressive and very thoughtful leader and exactly the kind of profile we need in these volatile times.
www.amazon.com/Triangle-Pow...
I believe Alexander Stubb is an impressive and very thoughtful leader and exactly the kind of profile we need in these volatile times.
www.amazon.com/Triangle-Pow...
The Triangle of Power: Rebalancing the New World Order
The Triangle of Power: Rebalancing the New World Order [Stubb, Alexander] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Triangle of Power: Rebalancing the New World Order
www.amazon.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Looking so much forward to reading this one.
I believe Alexander Stubb is an impressive and very thoughtful leader and exactly the kind of profile we need in these volatile times.
www.amazon.com/Triangle-Pow...
I believe Alexander Stubb is an impressive and very thoughtful leader and exactly the kind of profile we need in these volatile times.
www.amazon.com/Triangle-Pow...
This is a challenge we talk way too little about, but which could have huge, unintended consequences.
Systems are only as good as the questions you ask of them, AND the interpretation of the results, they present.
The human factor remains a huge risk.
hbr.org/2026/01/when...
Systems are only as good as the questions you ask of them, AND the interpretation of the results, they present.
The human factor remains a huge risk.
hbr.org/2026/01/when...
When AI Amplifies the Biases of Its Users
Bias in AI isn’t just baked into the training data; it’s shaped by us and embedded in the broader ecosystem of human-AI interaction. This cognitive bias emerges from the dynamic interplay between huma...
hbr.org
January 25, 2026 at 10:14 AM
This is a challenge we talk way too little about, but which could have huge, unintended consequences.
Systems are only as good as the questions you ask of them, AND the interpretation of the results, they present.
The human factor remains a huge risk.
hbr.org/2026/01/when...
Systems are only as good as the questions you ask of them, AND the interpretation of the results, they present.
The human factor remains a huge risk.
hbr.org/2026/01/when...
Agree 100%. The value of the individual solution is in an inverse relation with the number of solutions out there.
Building and making unsubstantiated claims of value have become too easy. There will be a shakedown, and investors will be taken to the cleaners.
davidcummings.org/2026/01/24/t...
Building and making unsubstantiated claims of value have become too easy. There will be a shakedown, and investors will be taken to the cleaners.
davidcummings.org/2026/01/24/t...
The Real Threat to SaaS Valuations Isn’t AI—It’s a Million New Startups
Software-as-a-service valuations have been in the doldrums for several years. After the peak hype of 2020–2021 and the COVID-fueled pull-forward of demand followed by the end of the zero-interest-r…
davidcummings.org
January 25, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Agree 100%. The value of the individual solution is in an inverse relation with the number of solutions out there.
Building and making unsubstantiated claims of value have become too easy. There will be a shakedown, and investors will be taken to the cleaners.
davidcummings.org/2026/01/24/t...
Building and making unsubstantiated claims of value have become too easy. There will be a shakedown, and investors will be taken to the cleaners.
davidcummings.org/2026/01/24/t...
The Danish government is not missing much by not being in Davos right now...
January 21, 2026 at 2:53 PM
The Danish government is not missing much by not being in Davos right now...