WITGBG Portraits: Jennifer Grönqvist
The women in tech - Gothenburg community - is a hub for remarkable women of diverse backgrounds and experiences. In our Women in Tech Portrait series, we take an intimate look into fabulous and talented individuals, inviting them to answer a few questions.
We welcome our own Jennifer Grönqvist, the WITGBG Venture Studio’s Strategy and Partnership Lead. She is a Digital Strategy & Start-up Advisor, who focuses on doing rather than thinking. Her passions in life are creating stuff or consuming the creations of others. You are most likely to meet her in nature or make dinner for as many people as possible.
Women will have a lot to do with the new world
and The Venture Studio is my way of creating space for them.- Jennifer Grönqvist.
How would you describe yourself and how do your friends/colleagues describe you?
Happy, curious, nerdy, demanding, relentless. Super serious about my job. A bitch sometimes. A true friend at work and outside.
Tell us about your journey into tech? What is fascinating about working in tech?
It started in college in the nineties when I heard a rumour of a computer room that had something called ”internet”. I went there, managed to get Netscape started, and didn’t know what to do next. I just watched the logo twirl and thought ”This will change everything”. I am now helping startups track disease with algorithms and my journey has always been about combining tech + humans for a better future. Women will have a lot to do with the new world and The Venture Studio is my way of creating space for them.
What is the best and the most challenging part of your job?
It’s fast, which I like. But it makes everything else seem so slow and unrewarding.
If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice at the start of your career, what would that be?
You are on a golden path, child. The internet is lame right now, but in twenty years it's gonna be way hotter and you will be in a really good place. (Also when something called Bitcoin comes along - buy early).
What is the biggest dream for yourself and the industry?
My dream is to slow down enough to write a few books. And I do hope the tech industry will be able to slow down, too. We are going to be in this universe for a long time so best do it right.
How do you define success?
Transcending the bullshit. I have very successful friends; one of them just became a mother all on her own at 45. Another dropped her fashion brand and is studying to become a nurse. A third is a day trader, single mother and aspiring actress at 50+. They all enjoy the small things and don’t react to outside demands on being something. I hope to become as successful one day.
What is one of your super powers?
I really love people.