Susanne Najafi

Susanne Najafi is a prominent venture capitalist and entrepreneur, currently serving as the Founding Partner and Chairman at BackingMinds, a venture capital firm based in Sweden. She has held this position since May 2016, where she focuses on investing in scalable, customer-centric businesses with proven revenue models. BackingMinds aims to redefine venture capital by supporting entrepreneurs in unconventional ways and emphasizes a commitment to building strong partnerships with founders.1

Career Highlights

• Founder and CEO of eleven AB: Before her role at BackingMinds, Najafi founded eleven AB (formerly Unity Beauty Group), which became one of the largest online retailers for beauty products in the Nordic region. Under her leadership, the company achieved significant turnover, primarily in Sweden and Norway.1
• Board Member and Advisor: She has also served on the boards of several companies, including Kaperia, Trustrace, Glitter, Mirovia, and Transfer Galaxy, demonstrating her extensive influence in the business sector.1
• Awards and Recognition: Najafi has received various accolades for her contributions to entrepreneurship, including being named Sweden's top serial entrepreneur under 40 multiple times by Dagens Industri and receiving the Pioneer of the Year award from HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in 2020 for her efforts in democratizing venture capital.1

Education

Najafi holds a Master's degree in International Management from Université catholique de Louvain and an MSc in Business and Economics from the Stockholm School of Economics, where she graduated with merits.1

Personal Impact

Through her work at BackingMinds and other ventures, Susanne Najafi is recognized for her commitment to fostering innovation and supporting diverse entrepreneurs within the venture capital landscape. Her approach highlights a belief that backing is not just about providing funds but also about building meaningful relationships with those she invests in.1