In 2017, Lubomila Jordanova founded PlanA with a simple yet powerful mission: to translate climate science into actionable business strategies. At the time, awareness of climate change and related regulations was minimal. “The science was there, but it wasn’t translated into a business KPI,” Jordanova explained. This gap inspired her to create a platform that aligns decarbonization with corporate growth, proving that sustainability and profitability can coexist.

From humble beginnings—think pie charts recommending energy-efficient lightbulbs—PlanA has grown into a comprehensive decarbonization and policy alignment software. Today, it supports over 1,500 companies, helping them cut emissions by an average of 8% annually.

PlanA’s software is powered by a massive dataset, analyzing over 20 million data points monthly. It offers businesses a clear roadmap for sustainability, calculating the return on investment for every action. What sets it apart? A focus on implementation, not just analysis.

“The real transformation happens after you get the data,” Jordanova emphasized. The platform enables businesses to collaborate across departments, ensuring actionable changes that drive tangible results. When data is missing, AI fills in the gaps, predicting accurate environmental metrics based on industry benchmarks.

One of the most pressing topics Jordanova discussed was the concept of the "carbon bubble," where fossil fuel companies are overvalued due to unsustainable practices. “Legislation is changing fast, and climate change is already coming at a high cost,” she said, citing Hurricane Milton’s $40 billion impact as an example.

PlanA works with financial institutions to prepare for this transition, offering decarbonization financing and helping clients reduce reliance on unstable, overvalued assets. The goal? To ensure businesses remain resilient in an increasingly regulated and environmentally conscious world.

Beyond compliance, PlanA is about creating a sustainable business culture. The platform helps companies not only meet but exceed regulatory requirements like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). By aligning corporate strategies with sustainability goals, PlanA transforms sustainability from a compliance exercise into a driver of innovation.

“Being good to the planet often means being good for your bottom line,” Jordanova noted. Companies like BMW, BNP Paribas, and Chloe are already reaping the benefits of this approach, saving costs while improving environmental performance.

PlanA’s journey is a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance in tackling global challenges. By turning climate science into actionable business insights, Lubomila Jordanova is paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future—one company at a time.

Find Lubomila on:

LinkedIn: Lubomila Jordanova

Twitter/X: @PlanAearth

Find Ben on:

LinkedIn: Ben Costantini

Twitter/X: @bencostantini

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Marta Sjögren spent over a decade as a venture capitalist, but a desire to make a meaningful impact drove her to co-found Paebbl. “I wanted to look my kids in the eyes and say, ‘I did my part,’” she shares. Marta’s transition into climate tech was fueled by her desire to use her expertise to scale transformative solutions, ultimately creating a company focused on turning CO2 into sustainable building materials.

Paebbl's groundbreaking technology chemically accelerates a natural process, turning CO2 gas into carbonate rock. As Marta explains, “We just chemically accelerate a process that has existed since the beginning of time.” By using biogenic sources of CO2 and combining them with crushed minerals, water, and non-toxic chemical accelerants, Paebbl is creating sustainable materials for the construction industry. This innovative process is a game-changer for reducing emissions in hard-to-abate sectors like concrete production.

With a team of 45 people spanning 22 nationalities, Paebbl prioritizes diversity in skills and backgrounds. Marta notes that many employees come from industries like oil and gas, mining, and advanced materials, making the company a leader in green job transitions. “We’re hiring for the future,” she says, highlighting the role of generative AI in streamlining operations and reducing costs. This approach enables Paebbl to stay competitive while scaling its impact.

Marta emphasizes the importance of partnerships to decarbonize the built environment, stating, “It’s going to take a movement.” Through strategic collaborations with industry leaders like Holcim and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Paebbl is driving adoption of sustainable building materials. The company’s mission is clear: to make flagship construction projects, such as Saudi Arabia’s Neom city, massive carbon sinks rather than emitters.

Paebbl exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can tackle one of the world's most pressing challenges: climate change. By turning CO2 into sustainable materials, the company is not only reducing emissions but also paving the way for a greener future. As Marta puts it, “What if the most ambitious construction projects could be the world’s largest carbon stores?”

Find Marta on:

LinkedIn: Marta Sjögren

Twitter/X: @martasjogren

Find Ben on:

LinkedIn: Ben Costantini

Twitter/X: @bencostantini

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Tom Henriksson, a seasoned venture capitalist and General Partner at OpenOcean, began his career in the 1990s when Finland’s startup ecosystem was just emerging. Reflecting on that time, he said, “You could count the truly interesting companies with global potential on one hand.” Today, the Nordics are recognized for their robust STEM education and data-driven innovations, producing companies that excel in analytics and automation despite a small population base.

Tom shared how OpenOcean, founded in 2010, was inspired by the success of MySQL, one of Europe’s earliest unicorns. “We wanted to help entrepreneurs from small places in Europe make similar journeys,” he explained. With its fourth fund aiming to raise €135 million, OpenOcean continues to invest in early-stage, data-intensive business software across Europe, focusing on practical AI applications and vertical-specific solutions.

AI has revolutionized how businesses operate, but enterprises still struggle to adopt these technologies effectively. OpenOcean invests in solutions that simplify adoption, such as tools enabling engineers to handle tasks traditionally reserved for data scientists. Tom highlighted a success story: Cambridge, a Finnish company leveraging AI to optimize product launches. “It not only predicts success but also suggests improvements, reducing waste and enhancing profitability,” he noted.

Each year during Slush, OpenOcean hosts a poker tournament that has become an iconic part of the event. Tom credited its origins to Riku Seppälä, a former OpenOcean principal, and shared a legendary anecdote: “The first prize was 3.1415 Bitcoins, which one winner used to pay his rent, while another held onto them—an ultimate poker win!” Beyond the fun, the event fosters meaningful connections in the startup ecosystem.

By blending a focus on data-intensive startups with a deep commitment to the Nordic ecosystem, Tom Henriksson and OpenOcean continue to shape the future of venture capital. Whether helping enterprises navigate AI or hosting iconic events like their poker tournament, their mission remains clear: empowering entrepreneurs to build scalable, impactful businesses.

Find Tom on:

LinkedIn: Tom Henriksson

Twitter/X: @openoceanvc

Find Ben on:

LinkedIn: Ben Costantini

Twitter/X: @bencostantini

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