Evrlearn Blog

Interview with Jonas Kjellberg, successful entrepreneur, visionary and author

Jonas Kjellberg was one of the co-creators of Skype, in addition of also being among the founders of NORNORM.COM “Don’t buy Subscribe to Office furniture” A circular Business model. The company was cofounded with IKEA.

Jonas has also founded Nonoba.com, PlayerIO, Campuz Mobile, Mobyson and Optimal Telecom. He was also Chairman of the Board of Directors of iCloud, later sold to Apple. Successful investments in start-ups such as Zalando, Avito, Lamoda and Hello fresh followed.

The serial entrepreneur teaches at various universities. Jonas Kjellberg is the Head of Boston Consulting Group, Digital Ventures Nordics, in addition to being a member of several boards where he supports entrepreneurs, owners and venture capitalists. He was recently appointed to IKEA’s Digital Transformation Board.

In addition, he is the author of the books “Gear Up” and “Business Creation”, written along with two professors from Stanford University, Lena Ramfelt and Tom Kosnik. “Gear Up” was recognized as one of the world’s best management books and has now been translated into twelve languages.

Evrlearn had the chance to speak with Jonas and to ask him some burning questions:

Jonas, you are a successful businessman, visionary, and book author with an impressive career – two years ago, during the Covid-19 pandemic, you founded NORNORM, a company that provides businesses with attractive workplace furniture solutions based on a subscription model. How were you inspired to start NORNORM?

We must rethink how we create new business models. The fact that the planet is running out of resources means that the linear, take-make-waste economy will have to make way for a circular approach in all aspects of life, including the office.

You are striving for a Circular Economy with NORNORM. Can you tell me more about this vision?

NORNORM’s vision for the workplace of the future is simple: integrate circularity into its foundation and demonstrate how it can benefit individuals, design, business practices and the environment.

By choosing to subscribe instead of buy, you’re taking an important step towards reducing the planet impact of your operations. When there is no longer a need for certain pieces of furniture in your office, NORNORM will not retire or scrap them. Instead, they will be refurbished and re-used, prolonging their lifespan.

Jonas, in your opinion, what is the role today of re- and upskilling employees and how do you see the future in it?

I think, today we need to have a “beginners’ mindset” about everything we do and it’s not about rescaling/upscaling. I believe in constant learning and making yourself relevant for solving tomorrow’s problems.

What do you think are the most important skills in today’s business life?

Adaptability. Today the world is changing even faster and the only thing we know is consistent is change.

What skills have helped you personally to succeed the most?

Not being afraid of failure, what is the worst thing that can happen? You lose some money; people maybe think it was a stupid idea. Don’t care about what people think, do what you believe in.

If you had to focus on just one skill, what would it be?

Problem-solving.

You are a busy businessman, let’s say you had a week for yourself and had the opportunity to learn a new skill, what would it be?

I decided a couple of years ago to take up surfing one of the most difficult sports ever but now I’ve learned to master it. It takes the beginners mindset to just get up on the board, try and try again. You can start to develop a skill in one week, but most things take years and grit.

Jonas, let’s take a glimpse into the future – what does the future of lifelong learning look like to you?

The world changes and to be relevant you need to re-imagine yourself constantly. You need to invest time in your personal learning.

Which 3 extraterrestrial super-skills would you like to have and why?

  • Energy. To change the existing, you need to have the force to dent the universe.
  • Analytic. A sharp mind to solve all problems in a new way.
  • Motivation. If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far, go together.

Which great poet, scientist, or personality, would you like to meet/or have met (if they are no longer alive) and why?

The most interesting people are the ones that the world has not recognized for their success. The ones on the path of greatness. I choose to spend time with what I believe will be seen as game-changers.

Thank you very much, Jonas, for your time! It was great interviewing you.


Jonas Kjellberg

Jonas Kjellberg was one of the founders of Skype, as well as a co-founder of Nonoba.com, PlayerIO, Campuz Mobile, Mobyson and Optimal Telecom.

He was also Chairman of the Board of iCloud, which was later sold to Apple. Successful investments in start-ups such as Zalando, Avito, Lamoda and Hello fresh followed.

The serial entrepreneur teaches at various universities. Jonas Kjellberg is head of Boston Consulting Group, Digital Ventures Nordics and part of several boards where he supports entrepreneurs, owners and venture capitalists.

He was recently appointed to IKEA’s Digital Transformation Board.

He is also the author of the books “Gear Up” and “Business Creation,” which he wrote with two Stanford University professors, Lena Ramfelt and Tom Kosnik. “Gear Up” was named one of the best management books in the world and has now been translated into twelve languages.

Follow Jonas on Linkedin: Jonas Kjellberg | LinkedIn