i2i-Venture's business concept is to assist entrepreneurs and smaller enterprises in their development phases with financing, management competencies and help with internationalising. In i2i-Venture, such entities have an extremely hard-hitting instrument for exploiting promising business concepts in the new, digital economy. Connecta/Information Highway is constantly encountering Internet-related business ideas through its 1,300 consultants. i2i-Venture will function as a hothouse through such enterprises' start-up and change phases.
Christer Jacobsson, Connecta's CEO and Chairman designate of the new Information Highway/Connecta, said "with Ole Oftedal becoming i2i-Venture's CEO, we ensure that the stream of business ideas our company comes into contact with are processed professionally. Both through his personal qualities and international management experience, Mr Oftedal reinforces our conviction of i2i-Venture's chances of success."
In response, Mr Oftedal himself said "after nearly 20 years as a leading executive in major corporations, transferring to more entrepreneurial activities in The New Economy feels really exciting. Information Highway/Connecta is one of Europe's leading internet consulting practices, with a clear focus on profitability, high quality and great knowledge of the new business opportunities that the internet now is creating at an almost unbelievable pace. Quite simply, it's great challenge to be part of this."
Mr Oftedal is since 1996 the CEO and President of Thomson Travel Group International (incl. Fritidsresegruppen) and will remain a Board member of Thomson Travel Group Plc. Mr Oftedal was formerly CEO of listed bus operator Linjebuss for 10 years, and before that a key executive of Nordstjernan AB.
For the shareholders of Connecta/Information Highway this initiative offers access to value growth additional to the regular consultant billing. Skandia Investment gains the opportunity to create relationships with enterprises in very early developmental phases, can make contributions through its broad-based network and refer those enterprises and projects that remain insufficiently ripe for the fund's everyday operations.
For Skandia Investment, CEO Christer Dahlström said "Mr Oftedal lends the partnership gravitas-vital now that there is a shortage of management expertise and experience, rather than any scarcity of capital, in what at present, is a turbulent market."
Connecta/Information Highway and Skandia Investment KB each own 37.5% of the newly created i2i-Venture. The remaining 25% will be owned by investors including CEO Ole Oftedal and key-executives of Connecta/Information Highway. Christer Jacobsson has been appointed as Chairman, with other Board appointments to be announced imminently.