You don’t build a business—you build people and then people build the business. These are the stories of the people who built Wellstreet and our portfolio companies. Meet Erik Gunnarsson.
Tell us about you?
I'm Erik Gunnarsson. I served as a summer intern at Wellstreet in 2023. I am currently pursuing a degree in business & economics at Stockholm School of Economics. Prior to Wellstreet, I had experience working at a fund of funds and a couple of startups while studying in parallel. Im now a Bsc student at SSE and will be joining SEB’s debt capital markets as a fall investment banking intern.
What roles have you had in teams in the past?
My previous roles were primarily in startups and at a fund of funds. Where I held positions as an intern/growth or junior analyst respectively.
How did you end up at Wellstreet?
Sarah Häger from Enable Banking (a Wellstreet portfolio company) introduced me to Wellstreet. She had a case project in the SSE’s "Art of Case Cracking" course.
Was Wellstreet a good fit for you?
It was a fascinating and great blend of macro understanding of where startups in different industries are going due to its sector agnostic thesis, combined with practical implementation. As they help portfolio companies at a relatively early stage, through what is arguably the toughest and most rewarding period of their journey in entrepreneurship.
What's unique about Wellstreet?
The people :)
I’m a strong believer in the team.
Tell us about a challenge you have overcome
One challenge I've faced is the Swedish language. Having been educated solely in English, I sometimes find my Swedish vocabulary limited.
Any events that have affected your career more than you thought at the time?
Not specifically, but I value the experience I've gained from working alongside my studies. This practical industry exposure complements my academic knowledge.
What attracts you to VC and what would make you leave?
Good: I’d like to think that it fits my curious personality well — the ability to discuss ideas with bold founders was extremely energising. And I am sure that the ability to see those startups grow and evolve would only add to that feeling.
Bad: The imposter syndrome. I would want to give the founders the best possible chance at success, some of which would be guided by the way I see the world. Given I have only ever worked at very early stage or small teams, I’m not sure I have the practical experience of having been involved in an exponential growth journey, which would mean my advice during those critical phases of a startup would only ever be second principle understanding at this point in time.
Any advice for a someone that wants to work in VC?
Stay curious. Develop a distinct perspective and narrative on the world's trajectory and stick to it.
What does ”pro-active investor with a purpose-built ecosystem” mean to you?
It means taking the initiative in supporting founders through their most tumultuous times. The ecosystem's history acts as a backbone, increasing a startup's chances of success.
What are you passionate about?
I am deeply intrigued by understanding individuals and the ideas that drive them. Outside work, I'm passionate about music, tech, and surfing.
Your most developed sense or skill?
I’m not sure, perhaps personality.
What do you expect is your next endeavour?
No idea, but I hope it’s something thrilling and challenging!