Interview with Mikael Krogh Building the future by backing those who see it first
Interview with Mikael Krogh, Founder and Partner of Investigate.vc
Q: Mikael, you’ve had a long and successful career as an investor. What is it about venture capital that keeps you energized every day?
Mikael Krogh: "At my core, I thrive on helping others build great companies. What keeps me passionate is meeting extraordinary founders — people who are not only brilliant in their field but are also consumed by a desire to turn their vision into reality. They see opportunities where others see only obstacles. Drawing from my experience on both sides of the table — as a founder, operator, and an investor — I know how critical it is to have partners who believe in you and can help you scale. Being able to support and learn from them is a privilege I never take for granted."
Q: Investigate.vc is preparing to launch its next fund. You’ve also brought on new partners. Tell us about that decision.
Mikael Krogh: "To build an outstanding venture firm, you need to start with an outstanding team. For our next fund, I wanted to bring in partners who have built companies themselves — founders who truly understand the challenges from the inside, who know what it's like to be on the receiving end of venture capital. These partners are proven experts in the most important challenge for early-stage founders - scaling their sales. It’s a rare blend — and it dramatically sharpens our ability to support the founders we back."
Q: Reflecting on your past experiences across continents, what key lessons are you applying at Investigate.vc?
Mikael Krogh: "Having worked across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, I’ve seen how different ecosystems operate — and what makes companies endure across markets. The biggest lesson is that venture success is built on great founders and being able to give them the right support. It’s not just about capital; it’s about partnership at every critical juncture especially when it comes to scaling sales. At Investigate.vc, we combine global perspective with local action, aiming to be the most strategic and trusted partner a founder can have. Every insight, every connection, and every decision is made with that commitment in mind."
Q: You’ve spoken before about your obsession with network effect companies. Why are they so important to you?
Mikael Krogh: "Network effects are the foundation of many of the most powerful and defensible businesses in the world. They create a flywheel where each additional user strengthens the value proposition for everyone else. And what is sometimes overlooked - the data collected can create opportunities for new products that no one else can copy without that proprietary information. I specialize in spotting and nurturing these opportunities because they don't just grow — they compound over time. At Investigate VC, we actively seek companies where network effects aren't an accident but are embedded into the DNA of the business model from day one."
Q: Finally, what’s your vision for Investigate.vc? How will it set new standards for the industry?
Mikael Krogh: "At Investigate.vc, we believe founders deserve more — deeper engagement, more strategic value, and real alignment. We’re setting out to raise the standards for what it means to be a venture partner with specific tools that help founders benchmark, get insights, and, most importantly, scale sales. For LPs, we aim to deliver the kind of transparency, insight, and performance that professional investors should expect. Our ambition is not just to be good partners; it’s to redefine the benchmark for excellence in venture capital - supported by tools that enable it. We’re building a firm where passion meets discipline — and where both founders and investors benefit from a new, higher standard."
