Geir Christian Karlsen

Geir Christian Karlsen is a serial entrepreneur hailing from Norway, known for creating multiple technology companies across various countries, including Norway, USA, Slovakia, and Serbia. He achieved an industrial exit in HR software and his areas of expertise lie in business software, technology outsourcing, and Cyber Security with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry.

Karlsen is associated with AppsCo, a cyber security company based out of St. Louis, USA. He is affiliated with prestigious organizations like the World Economic Forum and the Tech for Integrity Initiative. Karlsen has garnered multiple international accolades for his contributions.

Before delving into entrepreneurship, Karlsen pursued a career in sports as a former ice hockey athlete. Despite earning three bronze medals in the Norwegian Championship, his athletic journey was cut short due to an ankle injury at 25. Post-injury, he played a pivotal role in helping NISO, a player union for sports like soccer, ice hockey, and handball, in establishing information and communication structures. This led to his election into the Board of FIFPRO Foundation, overseeing sports rights for soccer players globally.

Having graduated from Suffield High School in Connecticut, USA, Karlsen was a standout student-athlete with scholarship offers in soccer and ice hockey. His sporting endeavors landed him on the all-star team in both disciplines, showcasing his versatility and talent.

Karlsen co-founded a floor hockey club, Greaaker IBK, at the age of 16, which later clinched a gold medal in the Norwegian Championship under his leadership as a playing coach. Alongside his athletic pursuits, Karlsen pursued higher education with two university degrees in Finance and Information Technology from Norway.

His educational journey includes stints at different institutions such as Tindlund Ungdomskole, Høgskolen i Østfold (HiØ), Babson College, and military service in the Army. Karlsen's expertise encompasses various domains including product management, partner management, software development and distribution, strategic planning, recruitment, rights management, and entrepreneurial skills.

Karlsen has been associated with several organizations in leadership roles including CEO and Founder at AppsCo Inc., advisory roles at eMajlis and Annex Investments, board memberships at Mesier AS, and positions at Web Computing AS, 4human.no, and Evolution Software. His rich professional background includes director-level positions, consultancy roles, and managerial positions across different companies and sectors.