Klarna’s co-founder Niklas Adalberth is investing SEK 170 million in the Northern Lights Foundation. The goal: Find solutions to difficult social problems with new technology. Now it is clear that it will build a giant hub in central Stockholm – with room for 300 social entrepreneurs.
It has been over ten years since payment Klarna was founded. One of those was and started the company’s Niklas Adalberth, who was vice-president of the company until 2015 when he decided to drop out and instead focus on working with the charity.
In June came the news that Niklas Adalberth starts Foundation Aurora Borealis, which has the stated aim to solve major societal challenges with the help of new technology.
today Monday, it was clear that the next step in charity bet is Aurora Borealis House – a 2400 square-foot facility in Spårvagnshallarna in central Stockholm. Here is the moment to be given space for about 300 so-called social entrepreneurs.
– During my time at Klarna, I met many of the great charities. It is difficult for them to invest in an IT project with an uncertain outcome when one is dependent on donations. It is very much about daring to gamble a little bit, says Niklas Adalberth to new technology.
Sweden and Stockholm have ended up in the IT world map thanks to the company, such as King, Minecraft and Klarna. But in the IT world is always measured the success of the high-companies are undervalued, according to Niklas Adalberth.
– There is an area – public benefit – where there are virtually no IT investment. It is about using technology to do the maximum good, not just to make money.
The Northern Lights House is aiming to build what it claims will be “Europe’s biggest hub for a better world”. The premises will be in addition to office space, it also including being a film and television studio, 3D printers, meditation, VR equipment and a förläsningsyta that can be used by internal and external lecturers.
Full house – as well as other parts of the northern lights activity – financed with an investment of SEK 170 million from Niklas Adalberth.
– I am so far the only investors, but the idea is for others to investors in the fund on term. The plan is for us to open the doors in January 2017 and we are looking for even skilled programmers as well as front-end and full thanks developers who want to help develop the northern lights activity.
There are already several startup hubs in Stockholm. Should there really one?
– It remains to be seen. And yes, there are many hubs, but we hope to cover a white spot available in the startup Sweden, and it is all about social entrepreneurship. The idea is that we should annordna lectures, workshops and other members. On the way, we believe that the Northern Lights House could become an important meeting place for companies and startups that want to focus on improving the world through technology.
You’re still in Klarna’s board of directors. What will be your role in the Northern Lights project?
– My board work takes disappearance bit of time, which means that I will be able to put down the heart and soul of Northern Lights and operations there.
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Facts
the Northern Lights are privatfinanserad foundation that was launched in June.
Niklas Adalberth, co-founder of Klarna, has invested SEK 170 million in the project.
The business is divided into three activities. The first is a sort of laboratory in the Northern Lights, which is concentrating on developing its own services – such visselblåseappen Klarity.
Within the Northern Lights also run a business incubator that initially including established links with companies Welcome App, which will facilitate the meeting between Swedes and asylum seekers, and just arrived, an app that will help nyanläda to find jobs.
the third leg of the northern lights activity alone will Norrsken House, a giant office of 2400 square meters with room for 300 people.
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