Mikkel Svane

Mikkel Svane is a prominent Danish entrepreneur known for co-founding Zendesk, a customer service software company. Born in 1971 in Copenhagen, Denmark, he developed an early interest in computer programming and earned a degree in economics in the early 1990s. His career began with various ventures, including creating software for media companies and working as a freelance consultant before founding Zendesk in 2007 with Alexander Aghassipour and Morten Primdahl. The company grew rapidly and went public in 2014, with Svane serving as CEO until he stepped down in late 2022 following its acquisition for $10.2 billion by investment firms.12

In addition to his work at Zendesk, Svane is actively involved in philanthropy through the Svane Family Foundation, established in 2019. The foundation focuses on supporting local artists and cultural institutions, notably donating $1 million to Bay Area artists during the pandemic. This initiative included commissioning new works from artists, showcasing Svane's commitment to fostering the arts community.234

Svane is also an author, having written Startupland, which chronicles his entrepreneurial journey and insights into building a successful startup.1 His contributions to both technology and the arts highlight his multifaceted career and dedication to community support.