From Purpose to Practice: Steen Skriver on Modern Entrepreneurship
From Purpose to Practice: Steen Skriver on Modern Entrepreneurship
Steen Skriver’s path into entrepreneurship is shaped by a rare mix of corporate leadership, board expertise, and a lifelong commitment to sustainability. With an MBA from the triple-accredited program at Aarhus BSS and advanced certifications in climate governance and ESG, Steen bridges the worlds of business development, impact, and strategy.
Across his career, he has worked in management, sales, intrapreneurship, and business development, always guided by what he calls his inner compass: sustainability in its broadest sense.
Today, as an Associate Professor, business coach, advisor and board member across multiple companies, he’s helping the next generation of innovators build solutions that matter.
Purpose as the Starting Point
When asked what every founder should remember at the beginning of their journey, Steen keeps it simple:
“Go with your passion and inner purpose.” ♥️
For him, entrepreneurship isn’t about chasing trends or copying what works for others. It’s about choosing the problem you care about so deeply that you’re willing to keep going when the journey becomes uncomfortable. Purpose, he emphasizes, is one of the most reliable engines of resilience.
A New Generation of Entrepreneurs
Steen is optimistic about the rising wave of young founders stepping into entrepreneurship - especially the growing number of young women leading new ventures.
“There is no one way of being an entrepreneur these days,” he says. The landscape is more open, diverse, and accessible than ever before, with fewer gatekeepers and more community-driven opportunities.His main advice for new founders:
Just go for it. Don’t wait for perfect timing, permission, or certainty. The path appears as you walk it.
The Pitfalls to Avoid
⚡Experience has shown Steen that new founders often struggle with the same early missteps. Many place too little focus on their customers and end up crafting value propositions that are too generic to truly resonate. In other words: founders fall in love with their idea instead of the problem it should solve. Steen’s message is clear: spend time with your customers, test your assumptions, and stay close to the people who experience the pain point you claim to solve.
The Power of People and Diversity
If he had to give one piece of advice to someone launching a new venture, Steen does not hesitate:
“Reach out to other people, have diversity in your team, and have a strong customer focus.”
💡Entrepreneurship is not a solo performance. It’s a team sport. And the strongest teams are built on diverse perspectives, across disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds.
This belief also shows in Steen’s professional life, where he has spent years serving on advisory boards, coaching startups, and helping companies refine their strategies. His career is a demonstration of leadership through collaboration.
A Career Shaped by Impact
From sales leadership roles at major companies to strategic advisory positions and more than a decade shaping young entrepreneurs at VIA University College, Steen’s work has always centered on one question:
How can we build businesses that create long-term value for customers, companies, and society?
Looking Forward
Steen sees a future where entrepreneurship becomes increasingly accessible, diverse, and mission-driven. With sustainability as a guiding principle and customer-centric innovation at the core, he believes young entrepreneurs have more opportunity than ever to shape real change.
His journey is a reminder that entrepreneurship is not a single moment of inspiration, but a lifelong practice - built on purpose, people, and the courage to begin.