Dr. Jan-Olaf Willums

Dr Jan-Olaf Willums is an entrepreneur and experienced venture capital expert who is driven by his passion for sustainability. Having worked at the largest financial sector company in Norway, Willums has gone on to establish his own highly successful capital firm, InSpire Invest. With an extensive history of contributions to sustainable development, Willums is one of the most sought-after authorities to discuss how business opportunity can go hand in hand with environmental innovation. A conscious investor and serial entrepreneur, Willums is uniquely placed, when booked as a business speaker, to advise on financial strategy, the importance of corporate sustainability and investment solutions.

Best known for his role as the Chairman and Founder of InSpire Invest, Willums established the company in 2000 and has spearheaded its success ever since. As the first sustainability-focused capital firm for early-stage investments, Willums has invested in more than 10 start-up enterprises, making him a leader in the industry in Scandinavia. With the ambition of supporting businesses with an environmental solution or consciousness, Willums is particularly interested in the field of renewable energy, zero-emissions transport and low impact development. To date, through InSpire Invest, Willums has developed partnerships spanning three continents, a testament to his visionary business leadership.

Prior to fronting his own venture, Willums had an influential career in the private equity industry taking on roles like Director at Volvo Group following his qualifications in mechanical engineering and industrial management. For a period, Willums was the Senior Vice President of Storebrand, the largest company in Norway’s financial sector. In this role, he was responsible for the environmental fund and social responsibility of the business. Some of Willums’ most significant contributions have been as the Co-Founder of the World Industry Council for the Environment, which later became the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, of which he acted as the director.

Currently, Willums continues to lead InSpire Invest and holds several other advisory positions including as a member of the private sector board for the World Bank Corporate Governance Forum. As an evident expert in his field, Willums is called on internationally to offer his guidance on both public and private strategy relating to finance, investments and sustainability, something he expands on at events. As a speaker, audiences benefit from Willums’ extensive knowledge and actionable strategies for the future.