Stefan Maard

Board Member

2024 - Current

General Partner

2021

We invest in ventures at (large) Seed and Series A with the potential to reduce 100 million tons of CO2-eq at scale

Board Member

2023

Portfolio Development Lead, Innovation Portfolio & Strategy Unit

2019 - 2020

Co-developed innovation portfolio to drive medium-term growth and deliver increased impact. Assessed venture proposals for investment committee approval & resourcing. Conducted early-stage venture development prior to full venture team formation. Served as sparring partner and coach for venture teams. Maintained portfolio overview for investment committee.

Head of Global Portfolio Development, COO Area

2017 - 2019

Professionalized Sustainability and Public Affairs functions, given increasing importance to corporate strategy. Covered 11 teams (~50 FTE) across 4 VP areas and 5 continents, with >200 projects across budgets totaling >DKK 100m. Revised strategies, governance, stakeholder engagement model, and budget process. Developed innovative project valuation model.

Head of Sustainable Business Development, COO Area

2013 - 2017

Led a team of business developers and sustainability experts (10 FTE), serving as an internal consulting group for strategy, early-stage business development, and impact assessment. Led major projects in alternative protein, sustainable biofuel, and sustainable palm oil. Develop capabilities for impact assessment of early-stage business opportunities.

Manager, Corporate Sustainability

2009 - 2013

Led the incubation of the integrated food, energy and forest protection business CleanStar Mozambique, incl. securing a carbon finance deal and impact investments. The venture grew to become a $20 million investment with 30k customers, ~300 employees, and ~2000 local suppliers, getting extensive media coverage and winning multiple awards.

Analyst, Corporate Sustainability

2006 - 2009

Developed tools and provided training to Marketing and Sales to leverage sustainability for business growth. Designed and implemented an innovative sustainable supply chain management system. Operating as an intrapreneur, led the design of the impact venture that was later named CleanStar Mozambique.

Co-founder & Managing Director

2014 - 2018

Founded not-for-profit corporate impact venture studio. DIVA formed JVs with corporations to deliver impact at scale based on their products & technologies. Co-founded with WBCSD, Novozymes, DSM, and Pillsbury Law. With execution partners Hystra and SEED, DIVA pursued a first cohort of ventures before closing down due to insufficient increases in core funding.

Co-founder & CEO

2012 - 2014

GameMasterz was set up to develop the tactical turn-based role-playing computer game “Ravenstorm – Rift of Souls”. Led team of 8 creative souls (incl. game designers, visual artists, and composers). Formed JV with leading Danish game development company and a world leading visual effects company.

Business Development Consultant

2004 - 2005

Designed, secured funding for, and implemented The Caribbean MDG Business Initiative, working with businesses in the region to develop profitable solutions to poverty reduction (the project was a finalist for the UNDP Innovation and Commitment Award).