Hampus Jakobsson (Pale Blue Dot): From Blackberry Exit to Climate VC

Hampus Jakobsson (Pale Blue Dot): From Blackberry Exit to Climate VC

Author: Hugo Rauch November 18, 2025 Duration: 1:14:10

We’re joined by Hampus Jakobsson, Partner at Pale Blue Dot, longtime founder, operator, and one of Europe’s most prolific early-stage investors.

In this episode, we dive into what it means to be a “five” in agency, how great teams form, why climate became unavoidable for him, and how Pale Blue Dot built an unconventional fund model that actually works for founders.

In our conversation, we covered:

→ Why The Astonishing Tribe scaled from six friends to 180 people across the world

→ The traits Hampus looks for in the first 10 hires of any startup

→ How extreme agency became his superpower, and occasional liability

→ The personal story that shaped his worldview on care, speed, and craft

→ Why climate wasn’t obvious at first… and then became the only rational choice

→ How Pale Blue Dot balances “three solo GPs” inside one fund

→ What founders consistently misunderstand about VC

***

Supported by:

Accelerating Impact - an independent non-profit advancing impact finance by mobilizing capital toward sustainable development and running free accelerator programs for emerging fund managers (ICFA, ISFA). Join for expert coaching, training, financial support, and a strong peer community. Apply here.

***

Listen now:Apple // Spotify // YouTube

Connect with Hampus:

Hampus on LinkedIn

Pale Blue Dot

Or ask me for an intro!



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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