Yessica Klein
8 min read
09 November 2025
Nima Tisdall might be young (she was featured on Forbes' "30 Under 30" list in 2021), but her CV is of a well-seasoned entrepreneur. Along with Christine Hebert, she founded Blue Lobster in 2019, a digital marketplace that allows restaurants to source sustainable seafood directly from fishermen, making the process more sustainable and transparent. With a passion for impact innovation, advancing research commercialization, and forging strong connections among the Nordic startup hubs, she's also the CEO of Nordic Makers, a seed-stage venture capital investor fostering the startup ecosystem growth in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.
What led you to launch Blue Lobster?
Blue Lobster was born out of a desire to make the seafood industry more transparent and sustainable. My cofounder Christine and I wanted to help restaurants source directly from fishermen, cutting out middlemen and reducing environmental impact. But it wasn’t easy. The seafood industry is very traditional, and we faced real pushback, from both the fishing and wholesale sides, who felt threatened by how much control we were giving back to fishermen.
How did the pandemic affect the business?
It was a tough time. Most of our customers were in the restaurant sector, so when COVID hit, demand dropped sharply. But we also saw how important our model was – one that prioritized resilience, independence, and local supply chains.
What role did Copenhagen’s ecosystem play in your journey?
We were lucky. Denmark has a robust and welcoming startup ecosystem, especially for greentech. There’s generous soft funding and public support at the early stages. We got started at a time when you could legally launch a company with just one kroner in the bank. That made a big difference for founders just getting started.
Were there challenges working with a non-EU cofounder?
Yes, Christine is American, and the visa process added a layer of stress. She's still dealing with visa issues as a non-EU founder – the system isn’t particularly welcoming. That said, I’ve met many non-Nordic entrepreneurs here who are thriving. People who take the leap to move countries often have the exact mindset it takes to start something new.
Any advice for international founders in the Nordics?
Culturally, it can be tough. Not speaking the language isn’t necessarily a barrier, but social integration takes time. Nordic countries are kind, but not always friendly right away. Be prepared for bluntness – and find your support systems outside of work. There are small networks, pitch nights and Friday bars that help you find your people.
“Speak to people smarter than you and get the customer side right and get the sales right from an early stage. We're in the business of business.”
What challenges did you face as Blue Lobster began to scale?
Fundraising became harder once we moved beyond early-stage funding. There’s still a lack of international ambition in parts of the Danish ecosystem. Many founders aren’t encouraged to think globally from day one. Many companies we invest in with Nordic Makers, for example, have to go abroad for later-stage investment because that scale-up mindset isn't always present here.
What would help Nordic startups compete globally?
We need to acknowledge that Europe’s market is smaller and more fragmented than the US or China. If we want to build companies of the same scale, we have to think internationally early. That’s part of what drew me to Nordic Makers – helping founders build bigger, bolder companies from the start.
Why did you transition into your role at Nordic Makers?
After giving everything I had to Blue Lobster, I was ready for something new. I’ve always liked having multiple projects and wearing many hats. Working in VC lets me support a lot of startups at once and contribute to a broader shift in how we think about ambition and growth in the Nordic region.
You’re also involved with many other organizations. What motivates that?
I believe in accessible ecosystems. Denmark is very open; you can often get answers just by asking the right person. Through my work with Nordic Makers, and the Obama Foundation, I try to help entrepreneurs across different stages and backgrounds get the support they need. With Even Founders, we built a startup school for female entrepreneurs at the earliest stages.
What advice do you give early-stage founders?
Start. People spend too long planning. You only begin learning once you start executing. Talk to people smarter than you. Figure out your blind spots quickly and get help. Share your ideas. No one’s going to steal them; they’re too busy with their own. Most importantly, make sure your business actually works and generates value. Purpose is important, but a startup still needs to earn money.
What do you appreciate most about working in Denmark?
The trust. There’s a high level of openness and good faith here, which makes for honest conversations. And Copenhagen is a city that really wants entrepreneurs to succeed. You’ll always find someone cheering for you.