Yessica Klein
8 min read
09 November 2025
Kasper Hulthin comes from a long line of entrepreneurs making their mark on the Danish business landscape. His great-grandfather invented a type of plough, which started a family business that his grandfather and then father took over throughout the century. Inspired by the family's rich entrepreneurial history, he cofounded two startups: first Freeprint, then Podio, a pioneering software in remote access and collaboration, acquired by Citrix in April 2012 (now called Citrix Online), and finally an employee-feedback platform, Peakon, which was acquired by Workday for $700 million. Then, driven by the wish to improve the world for the generations to come, he founded Future Five, a venture capital firm looking to develop pioneering ideas in the climate, food and education sectors. That wasn't, however, his first entrepreneurial adventure.
How did you first get into entrepreneurship?
I studied at Copenhagen Business School, and like many students I was trying to figure out what to do after graduation. I kept asking others for advice, but the answers always varied. At some point, I deleted all my job offer emails and asked myself, “Why am I not just asking myself what I want?” That decision led to my first startup with a friend. It didn’t last, but I learned a lot.
Looking back, what did your first startup teach you?
It taught me the importance of timing and trend alignment. The business failed in 2008, partly because of the financial crash and partly because it wasn’t digital while everything around us was moving that way. I also learned that small details matter, even the tedious ones. One of the reasons Peakon succeeded is that we didn’t skip those small things.
What was the journey like after that first closure?
Soon after Freeprint closed doors, I crossed paths with the founders of Podio and joined them in building what would become one of the early SaaS collaboration platforms, long before Slack or Notion were around. In 2015, I cofounded Peakon. That was about building a company we actually wanted to work for. We saw that HR hadn’t changed in a decade and realized it was time to make it more data-driven and real-time.
What role does timing play in startup success?
A big one. Podio was part of the early 2010s digital wave, and Peakon came at a time when people were starting to care about organizational culture and real-time feedback. If you hit the timing right, it gives you momentum. You still have to build something great, but the wind is at your back.
“Copenhagen is an amazing place to build from, but your vision needs to be global. Denmark is small, but if you come to Copenhagen, come with a big mind.”
How do you think entrepreneurship has changed since you started?
Today, it’s easier than ever to start a business: tools, funding, networks, all accessible. But that also means the windows of opportunity are smaller and more competitive. You have to be sharper about which industries you’re entering and why.
What do you believe is underrated in building a business?
Getting the small things right. It’s not glamorous, but skipping details often leads to failure. I once ran a furniture company where a deal fell through because our partner pulled out at the last minute. Those moments hurt, but they reinforce how crucial it is to do things properly, even when it’s boring.
What makes or breaks a company, in your experience?
The people. Everyone says it, but it’s true. I’ve had ventures that didn’t work because we didn’t have the right team. A strong, shared vision attracts top talent. Experience also matters more than people often admit – it’s not just about enthusiasm or potential. I’ve learned to be more ambitious with hiring over time.
You’ve built all your companies in Copenhagen. What makes the city special to you?
Copenhagen is highly efficient and digitally advanced, and everything from infrastructure to government services just works. It’s a low-friction city where you can get a lot done quickly. Add to that a great quality of life and strong developer talent, and it becomes a great launchpad. That said, your mindset should be global. None of my companies have been purely Danish.
What advice would you give to founders just starting out?
Enjoy the journey. It took me ten years to really understand that phrase. In the early days, you work with your teeth and nails, nonstop. But building something doesn’t have to mean burning out. There’s a middle ground: you can work hard and still enjoy it. That balance is hard to strike, but it’s worth trying.
"I don't think you find anywhere easier in terms of digitalization. Copenhagen is very efficient, with a low transaction cost, and it’s a nice place to be."