This is the founder of Yuncture

Christoffer Rydhede is part of the owner family in Hammarviken, he is also one of the founders of Yuncture, where he has a role as CEO. If you ask me, I would describe Christoffer as attentive, smart and creative. When asked if he could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, he certainly doesn't stick to the rules and chooses not one, but three people. His grandmother, Warren Buffet and Elvis will be at the dinner, which will undoubtedly be a real party (and maybe a few arguments between them).

As CEO, he has overall responsibility for the major issues and decisions in the company, and also serves as the intermediary between Hammarviken and Yuncture. Furthermore, Christoffer also has the main responsibility for Yuncture's investments.

When we ask Christoffer about his background, he answers: “For a period, I moved to the USA, Santa Barbara, to study entrepreneurship and marketing, which was incredibly rewarding and educational. Upon returning to Sweden, I started working at Hammarviken, while simultaneously studying at IHM Business School towards a degree in marketing.”

We ask Christoffer if he can share a joke or a poem, and he shares something that we still have to consider half-lame, for such a funny man as Christoffer. “I dig. You dig. We dig. You all dig. Everyone digs. It's not a good poem, but it's deep.”

What is Yuncture?

For those unfamiliar with Yuncture, it is a platform for entrepreneurs, often for younger individuals who want to kickstart or lift companies in the early stages. Currently, Yuncture has three pillars; an incubator, investments, and House that caters to individuals and companies in the early stage to scale-up phase.

We asked Christoffer to tell us more about Yuncture Incubator and Invest.

“Our incubator program is a 5-month-long educational program that is free of charge and without prerequisites for the entrepreneurs. We work with continuous coaching, training, and a large network for the entrepreneurs to benefit from. In addition, they have access to offices and all its benefits. If the individuals in the company wish, and it feels right for us, we are happy to invest in the company during or after the incubator program. For us, it is important that the individuals retain their incentive to drive the company, that they have passion and willingness, and thus we see no value in being majority owners when Yuncture invests. It is important for us to be an active partner - with business advice, a large network, and high knowledge, we are convinced that we can give companies in the early stages what they need.”

Yuncture was born in a room full of middle-aged men

In many ways, Gothenburg is a fantastic city for entrepreneurs to operate in. Yuncture was started to give even more to driven and passionate individuals and their companies. But how did Yuncture come into the world?

On a spring day in 2016, an event was hosted, specifically inviting young entrepreneurs. Christoffer Rydhede and Elsa Strandberg felt addressed and gladly signed up. Upon arrival, almost all gentlemen were middle-aged. It went wrong. Elsa and Christoffer wondered if it is really so difficult to create a network with young entrepreneurs?

They began to dissect the concept of incubator as well as the incubators around, and they decided to do something different. Based on a market survey, they presented a proposal to Hammarviken's board - an incubator where business and network are at the center. And the rest, as they say, is history.

What can Yuncture help entrepreneurs with?

The journey for entrepreneurs who are part of the incubator varies, depending on their needs and where they are at. Dive Madhouse for example, was founded and run by Fredrik Sologub who wants to revolutionize the art industry. At the start of the incubator program, he had come quite far in his journey and sold many paintings via social media. Yuncture worked closely with him to formalize his work into a company. Then we have Sara Serray and her Wellibites who came in at an earlier stage, with a batch of her recipes and much of our focus was on bringing the product to market.

What investments have been made?

From 2017 until today, Yuncture has helped around 85 entrepreneurs in about 40 different companies. In total, Yuncture has invested in 10 companies to date, including GuineaPig, DIVE Madhouse, and Vividye. Yuncture invests in the early stages of companies, with a valuation not exceeding 30 million SEK. For Yuncture, and the rest of the Hammarviken group, it is important to work with companies in ethically defensible industries - “We do not invest in companies connected to drugs, betting, weapons, and other things that Yuncture considers unethical.”

Christoffer emphasizes the importance of the team at Yuncture clicking with the company, it is important to have harmony and that they enjoy working together for the investment to succeed.

Yuncture House opening soon - a place for entrepreneurs

It's almost time for something entirely new, have you read about it? Namely Yuncture House - a part of Yuncture that will offer an environment that has everything an entrepreneur needs, a place that fills all the gaps.

“It all started when Hammarviken received an offer to buy a property in Gothenburg, and the first question naturally was what we wanted to do with the house. Not entirely unreasonable, Yuncture wants to use part of this property and thereby give the entrepreneurs in the city something out of the ordinary.”

Yuncture House is being created right now, after more than a year of planning, and will be ready in just a few months. It will be a place for entrepreneurs - individuals and companies. A creative, innovative and warm environment with a strong passion for community. We want to describe it as a workplace with everything - activities and events, a rage room, relaxation room, studio, exercise, dining, networking, and much more! The goal is to fulfill all the needs an entrepreneur has and that our members do not have to leave the environment if they don't want to - everything will be here. Are you curious about our concept? Read more and register your interest here!

Fun fact about the name Yuncture

Where does the name Yuncture actually come from? And what does it mean? Dream Academy and Innovation Bucket were two name suggestions for what is now called Yuncture. A third suggestion was junction, which means intersection. The idea of ​​replacing “J” with “Y”, so Yunction, where the letter symbolizes that paths cross, became the winning suggestion. The name was rejected by the Companies Registration Office, and instead it became Yuncture.

Our contribution to the Swedish entrepreneurial scene

“For us, it is important to provide a platform where companies can stay, regardless of whether they are in the start-up phase or a bit further along. In the early stages, it is important to provide extra security, as well as someone for the companies to lean on. Some have a great need for proximity to other like-minded individuals while others need a network, knowledge, or security in the form of capital. In this hub, we want to be the go-to player, to be there and meet all needs - from idea to established company.”

We then talk about other incubators, and Christoffer is clear in stating that he does not really see any competition with other players. The incubators in Gothenburg have different directions and can provide different things to companies and entrepreneurs. Some incubators are more academic and focus largely on research, while Yuncture focuses heavily on the link to the business community through coaches and a network with a constant sense of family.

Does Yuncture have any effects on Hammarviken?

Christoffer believes that Yuncture has a flow of new thinking and innovation that naturally has positive influences on Hammarviken, giving the parent company a modern touch. Also suggestions for new technology, solutions, and business models that can be adopted by other companies in the group. Excitedly, Christoffer talks about how startups are often good at pivoting, which provides a good insight into the directions of different markets.

Lastly, a book recommendation from Christoffer

“The latest book I read was The Kinfolk Entrepreneur by Nathan Williams. A book consisting of interviews with entrepreneurs who have both succeeded and failed. An interesting and honest book that I believe many entrepreneurs can both get a laugh out of but also a tip or two.”

Talk to you soon! Who do you think the next conversation will be with?

That's right! Have you read about our previous conversation with Mats where we talk about project development, investments, and Mats' hidden talents? If not, you can find it here.