In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm talks with Sara Kappelmark, Co-CEO of Norrsken Foundation, and Willem Vriesendorp, Founder of Sustainable Public Affairs, to explore the powerful intersection of venture capital, sustainability, and EU policymaking.
In this episode, Sara and Willem share how they’re bridging the gap between Europe’s most mission-driven founders and the often distant world of regulation, starting with the launch of the Norrsken House in Brussels. From climate tech to deep tech, they unpack why now is the moment for VCs and startups to engage with policy, how smart regulation can unlock real scale, and why Europe may be on the brink of its own era of exceptionalism.
Here’s what’s covered:
04:15 The Importance of Regulation in Venture Capital
06:04 The Excitement in Brussels: Tech and Policy
12:27 The Role of Norkin House in Brussels
16:55 Engaging in Policy as a Small VC Firm or Startup
20:26 The Importance of Sustainability in Tech
26:07 The Role of VCs and Founders in Shaping Policy
Watch it here or add it to your episodes on Apple or Spotify 🎧, with chapters for easy navigation available on the Spotify/Apple episode.
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✍️ Show notes
What’s the Norrsken House in Brussels?
The Norrsken House in Brussels is a new initiative launched by the Norrsken Foundation in partnership with Sustainable Public Affairs. It’s a physical hub designed to connect Europe's startup and venture capital community with EU policymakers. The idea is to create a welcoming, open platform where founders and funders working on sustainability and deep technology can connect with the regulatory landscape. Norrsken already operates similar hubs in cities like Stockholm and Barcelona, but Brussels was chosen for this new space because it sits at the heart of European policymaking.
Rather than using the space to push its agenda, Norrsken House is intended as a meeting place for all value-aligned entrepreneurs and investors. Its main goal is to lower the barrier to entry for policy engagement, making it easier for early-stage ventures and small VC firms to get involved. It’s about enabling more meaningful collaboration between those creating world-changing technology and those writing the rules. The house is designed to serve as a “landing place” for anyone ready to contribute to shaping the policies that will impact their future.
Why Venture Needs Policy – and Vice Versa
Willem emphasized that founders and VCs have long ignored regulation, but that can’t continue. As European markets become more regulated, it is crucial for startups, particularly those in climate tech and deep tech, to understand how regulation can either facilitate or hinder their growth. The podcast compared this to the U.S., where tech leaders and investors have become deeply involved in politics and policy. Europe needs its version of that collaboration to compete on the global stage.
Sara added that entrepreneurship and regulation need to evolve side-by-side. Using a playful soccer analogy, she explained that just as players evolve on the field, the rules must adapt too. However, regulators cannot move alone; entrepreneurs and policymakers must sit closely, work together, and stay in sync. This synergy ensures that regulations remain relevant and help, rather than hinder, the next generation of innovation.
The Two-Way Street
The team sees the Norrsken House functioning as a two-way bridge. On one side, it brings founders and VCs into Brussels to offer practical input on real-world policies. For example, they plan to get startup voices involved in shaping the upcoming EU Startup and Scale-up Strategy. They argue that people who’ve built businesses need to help write the rules that govern them—otherwise, policies risk being out of touch.
On the other hand, the house aims to bring policy understanding back into the startup world. Many founders only start thinking about regulation after raising Series B—by then, it can be too late. Especially in sustainability sectors such as green cement or clean energy, regulation must be factored in from the outset. The house will help raise awareness and educate founders across Europe, enabling them to navigate the policy landscape effectively and early.
Small Teams, Big Impact
The discussion acknowledged that most startups and VC firms are lean, which can make policy engagement seem overwhelming. But that’s exactly why collaboration matters. Norrsken House isn’t trying to be a lobbying agency for everyone—it’s a place to raise awareness, share knowledge, and offer an entry point into public affairs for even the smallest teams. It’s public affairs 1.0, making the whole system less intimidating and more accessible.
Both Sara and Willem emphasized that regulation can’t be an afterthought. Especially for sustainability-focused startups, policy can be a make-or-break factor for your business model. That’s why getting involved early, before policies are finalized, can help shape outcomes that work for startups rather than against them. And that’s where Norrsken House can make the biggest difference.
Europe’s Moment
Willem shared a sense of excitement and optimism about Brussels at the moment. With environmental regulation becoming more strategic, the timing is perfect for Europe to take the lead. The stars are aligning: there’s a solid regulatory framework, political momentum, and growing global attention on the continent’s potential. Brussels may seem boring, he joked, but right now, it’s one of the most exciting places to be in tech and policy.
Sara echoed that the transformation Europe needs is urgent. We’re exceeding planetary boundaries, and every industry must be reinvented. For that to happen, regulators and innovators must work closely together, not in separate silos. This is Europe’s chance to align progress with responsibility and set the standard for a sustainable economy that other regions will follow.
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