Proventure-2019-2

ProVenture is a leading seed and early-stage investor focusing on Norwegian technology companies with international potential.

Get the support you need to succeed for your startup company by partnering with us

ProVenture is a leading seed and early-stage investor focusing on Norwegian technology companies with international potential.

Get the support you need to succeed for your startup company by partnering with us


ProVenture is a leading Norwegian seed and early-stage investor. We provide capital and competence to accelerate growth in our portfolio companies. Our team’s industry knowledge combined with an extensive experience working with entrepreneurs provides us with a unique understanding of what it takes to succeed as a start-up company.
In March 2020 we opened our third seed fund for investments. With this fund we aim to invest in visionary start-ups with digital technology and sustainability as key elements in their business models.
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Nationwide footprint

ProVenture invests in technology innovators nationally.
We strive to identify the "gems" among technology start-ups regardless of location.
Our engagement through partnering with founders gives us great insight into technology development all across Norway 

Latest news

News archive »

ProVenture Seed III – “sustainable digital technologies” - open for business

March 26,2020
ProVenture Seed III – “sustainable digital technologies” is open for business  ...More

Great achievement from our portfolio companies!

January 07,2020
The importance of "soft funding"  ...More

ProVenture's Third Fund is a Reality!

September 20,2019
ProVenture establishes its third fund  ...More

About ProVenture

We invest in Norwegian start-up companies with international potential

Through active ownership and by financing, we accelerate the growth of our seed and startup technology companies. 


In 2006 we raised our first fund, ProVenture Seed, with MNOK 400 in committed capital. This fund is now closed and in exit stage.  
In 2014 we launched our second fund, ProVenture Seed II, with MNOK 525 in committed capital. The investment period for this fund is until May 2020. After this date the focus will be on leading the portfolio companies up to the commercialisation stage and through to exit.
Our third fund, ProVenture Seed III, opened for investments in March 2020. With this fund we aim to invest in visionary start-ups with digital technology and sustainability as key elements in their business models.
​Collectively the ProVenture team has substantial operational experience and diverse backgrounds from finance to entrepreneurship, both internationally and in Norway. Our extensive network is a great benefit for our portfolio companies.

Meet the team

David Lysne

David Lysne

Managing Partner
David joined ProVenture Management in 2014. He brings more than 28 years of international oil and gas experience to ProVenture within R&D, entrepreneurship and international oil service. Over a period of 16 years he was managing director for various research and service companies. 
David holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in production technology from NTNU.

Email : david@proventure.no
Phone : +47 930 59 722
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Geir Ove Kjesbu

Geir Ove Kjesbu

Senior Partner
Geir Ove joined the ProVenture team in January 2018. He has significant industrial experience from Q-Free ASA where he held several leading postions, also as CEO. Geir Ove has solid investment experience from Investinor, where he held the position as CEO for eight years.
Geir Ove holds an MSc in Computer Science from NTNU and an Executive MBA from Insead.

Email : geirove@proventure.no
Phone : +47 905 59 404
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Ane Christophersen

Ane Christophersen

Investment Manager
Ane joined ProVenture Management in 2014. Ane co-founded and led the cleantech company WindFlip from 2009 to 2012 and came to ProVenture from a position within the tendering team in Ocean Installer. Ane holds an MSc in Science from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Email : ane@proventure.no
Phone : +47 971 63 117
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Ingvar Katmo

Ingvar Katmo

Partner
Ingvar joined ProVenture Management in 2007 from McKinsey & Company. During his two years with McKinsey he specialised in  serving oil and energy clients on a wide range of topics.
Ingvar holds an MSc from the University of Mannheim and an MBA from the University of Oregon.   

Email :  ingvar@proventure.no
Phone : +47 959 32 559
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Frederik Hvistendahl

Frederik Hvistendahl

Senior Partner
Frederik joined ProVenture in 2016.   He started his career in Schlumberger as field engineer and in his more than 30 years of international Oil & Gas experience he has held CEO positions in 5 companies ranging from start-ups to larger, well established companies. He has also been serving as Chairman of the Board in several start-ups and early stage technology companies. 
Frederik holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from NTNU.

Email : frederik@proventure.no
Phone : +47 957 42 653
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Herbjørn Skjervold

Herbjørn Skjervold

Senior Partner
Herbjørn is one of the co-founders of  ProVenture Management. His extensive background includes; partner in Ernst & Young, corporate finance and General Manager in corporate finance at Danske Bank HQ in Norway. He has been Marketing Manager at SINTEF Petroleum Research Institute and a consultant at UNDP and the Ministry of Regional Development.
Herbjørn holds an MSc in Business from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).

Email : herbjorn@proventure.no
Phone : +47 982 06 991
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Sylvi Saure Finsrud

Sylvi Saure Finsrud

Investment Manager
Sylvi joined ProVenture in September 2018. She has a varied background from management positions within oil and gas service companies. Her experience includes developing and leading a consultancy company and managing the marketing and communications departement for another service company. Furthermore, Sylvi  has personal experience from being an entrepeneur and co-founder of a start-up.

Email : sylvi@proventure.no
Phone : +47 909 67 848
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Borgar Ljosland

Borgar Ljosland

Senior Partner
Borgar joined ProVenture Management in 2020. He brings 22 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur and start-up CEO.  Borgar has broad experience from international business development in multiple market verticals - working with technologies ranging from semiconductors, electronics, computer graphics, security, media and software.  Borgar holds an MSc in Computer Science from NTNU

Email : borgar@proventure.no
Phone : +47 950 51 423
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Tom Arnøy

Tom Arnøy

Senior Partner
Tom joined ProVenture in January 2020. He brings a vast experience from his background as co-founder and CEO in ZEDGE, which he took public as CEO on New York Stock Exchange in 2016. Tom has also been an angel investor for many years. In 2017 Tom was awarded "Founder of the Year, Norway" at Nordic Startup Awards.
 

Email : tom@proventure.no
Phone : +47 982 36 631
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Is your startup company looking for backing?

Get the support you need for your company to succeed by partnering with Proventure