Erik Engellau (Norrsken Launcher): How To Commercialize Science

Erik Engellau (Norrsken Launcher): How To Commercialize Science

Author: Hugo Rauch January 6, 2026 Duration: 53:52

Thank you to this week’s sponsor:

Accelerating Impact - a non-profit advancing impact finance by mobilizing capital and running free accelerator programs for emerging fund managers. Join for expert coaching, training, financial support, and a strong community. Apply here.

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🌊 How To Commercialize Science

Why Europe’s world-class research rarely becomes global companies, and how to fix it.

We’re joined by Erik Engellau-Nilsson, Founder of Norrsken Launcher and former CEO of the Norrsken Foundation, one of Europe’s most influential platforms for impact-driven entrepreneurship.

In this episode, we dive into why most science never leaves the lab, and unpack what it really takes to turn deep tech and climate breakthroughs into scalable, profitable companies. From cap tables and commercialization risk to why the VC model fails scientists, Erik shares a brutally honest view of what’s broken and what actually works.

In our conversation, we covered:

→ Why great science gets stuck in universities

→ The cultural gap between scientists and company builders

→ Norrsken Launcher’s hands-on model: fewer bets, deeper ownership

→ Why Europe produces world-class science, but not world-class companies

→ Clean cap tables, IP ownership, and the “teacher’s exemption.”

→ Strategic investors: accelerator or hidden landmine?

→ Why “patient capital” is often the wrong answer

→ How to build climate and deep tech companies that actually scale



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Hugo Rauch hosts New Wave, a podcast that lives at the intersection of business ambition and scientific reality. This isn't about distant predictions or abstract science; it's a grounded exploration of the technologies and companies being built right now to address our environmental future. Each episode focuses on the practical journey, dissecting the models, the breakthroughs, and the hard decisions that define the climate tech landscape. You'll hear from founders, researchers, and investors who are actively shaping this space, getting into the specifics of what works, what doesn't, and why. The conversations move beyond hype to examine the tangible mechanics of creating viable solutions, from energy storage and sustainable materials to carbon removal and regenerative agriculture. It’s for anyone who thinks about the climate challenge not just as a crisis, but as a complex and urgent field of innovation. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a clearer understanding of the economic forces and scientific principles driving the next generation of environmental solutions. New Wave connects the dots between the lab, the boardroom, and the impact we need to see in the world, offering a sober yet optimistic look at where substantive progress is truly being made.
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