Klarna founder to launch new ‘Nobel Prize for Impact’ – TechCrunch

According to BCG Global assets under management total around $100 trillion. But only $715 Billion, less than 1%, goes on what you might term ‘impact’ companies or projects to tackle the world’s biggest environmental and social issues.

Now, a Klarna founder plans to create what he calls a ‘Nobel Prize for Impact’. Klarna was founded by Niklas Adalberth in 2005. He left Klarna in 2015. In 2016, he established the Norrsken Foundation, contributing $20 million to its launch and $62 million more in 2017.

Now, the organization’s new initiative will be “Norrsken Impact100”, an annual list of “the world’s most promising impact companies” in order to shine a light on founders working in this space.

The 100 companies that make it to the final 100, which will be announced this month, will be nominated by many partner organizations including the Obama Foundation and Softbank Investment Advisers.

Adalberth stated in a statement said: “We believe that entrepreneurs building rapidly scalable businesses are our best bet to solving the world’s hardest and biggest problems… Unicorns are usually companies with a valuation of over $1 billion, but we want to recognize potential impact unicorns – those that will positively impact 1 billion people.”

The Impact 100 will be judged by a panel including Adalberth, as well as Ulrika Modéer, UN Assistant Secretary General; Matt Miller, partner Sequoia; and Carl Manneh, co-founder Mojang.

This Fall, Impact Week in Stockholm will reveal the winners.

Norrsken Foundation is responsible for Norrsken House, a Swedish hub for impact entrepreneurs. It also incubated Norrsken VC (a $130 million impact VC). Norrsken 22 is a US$200m fund that supports African startups.