About
Will Cardwell is a partner at venture capital funds Courage Ventures in Finland and Open Circle Capital in Lithuania, and serves as a Professor of Practice at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. He previously founded and directed the Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship and managed Technopolis Ventures, Finland's largest technology incubator. His background includes roles as a venture capitalist, investment banker, startup CEO, and researcher across Finnish and European technology sectors over more than 15 years.
Experience
- UNC Kenan-Flagler Business SchoolProfessor of Practicecurrent2016 — presentChapel Hill, North Carolina
- Courage Ventures FundsPartnercurrent2016 — presentHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- University of HelsinkiInnovationcurrent2026 — presentHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Metl VenturesManaging Partnercurrent2026 — present
- Helsinki Innovation Services LtdMember, Advisory Boardcurrent2024 — presentHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- WRC Investment Holding OyOwnercurrent2017 — presentHelsinki Metropolitan Area
- Open Circle CapitalPartnercurrent2017 — presentLithuania
- HELBUS Helsinki School of BusinessLecturercurrent2017 — presentHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- HUOLETI OyExecutive Chairmancurrent2018 — presentTampere, Pirkanmaa, Finland
- Wellness FoundryBoard Membercurrent2016 — presentHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- xEduMember Board Of Directorscurrent2015 — presentHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- TreamerBoard member and advisorcurrent2016 — presentHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Aalto University Executive Education (Aalto EE)Senior Advisor and Lecturercurrent2013 — presentFinland
- Fast MonkeysSenior Advisor2014 — 2025Espoo, Finland
- IroFitAdvisor2013 — 2025Kuopio, Finland
- Aalto UniversityMentor, Aalto Ventures Program2011 — 2025Finland
- Aalto UniversityHead, Aalto University Center for Entrepreneurship2010 — 2012Espoo, Finland
- NS Sports ManagementChairman2006 — 2025Finland
- Courage Ventures OyPartner2014 — 2018Espoo, Finland
- Leia MediaAdvisor2013 — 2016Espoo, Finland
Education
- UNC Kenan-Flagler Business SchoolAllButDissertation, Financial Economics1992 — 1996
- Teknillinen korkeakoulu-Tekniska högskolanPostGraduate Studies, Venture Capital2004 — 2005
- Helsingin kauppakorkeakouluMBA, Finance1991 — 1992
- Davidson CollegeBachelor's Degree, Mathematics1981 — 1985
- EC Glass High School1977 — 1981
Skills & more
Management82Strategy99Negotiation8Strategic Planning9Venture Capital99Mergers and Acquisitions14Corporate Finance99Private Equity99Mobile Applications99Start-up Operations30Investments34Start-ups99
+12 more
EntrepreneurshipBusiness DevelopmentMergersBusiness PlanningMergers & AcquisitionsExecutive ManagementRecruitingAngel InvestingSellingmergers and acquisitionsBusiness StrategyPartnershipsLanguages English · Finnish
From Will's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School85
Mathew KayeAccounting Manager at RevolutionFrancesco MoroPrincipal at Burda Principal InvestmentsJoe SantaBarbaraChief Financial Officer at .406 VenturesTony WellsVenture Partner at Copper Sky CapitalTroy ArnoldPartner, Echo Health Advisors at Echo Health VenturesTim SchmidtVice President, Fund Finance at Northpond Ventures
+ 79 more
Also attended Teknillinen korkeakoulu-Tekniska högskolan33
Ralf WahlstenChairman at OpenOceanTimo AhopeltoSerial tech entrepreneur and early-stage investor running Lifeline VenturesPetteri KoponenFounding Partner at Lifeline VenturesIlkka PaananenAdvisor at Lifeline VenturesIlkka KivimäkiFounding Partner & Advisor at Maki.vcPirkka PalomäkiFounding Partner at Maki.vc
+ 27 more
Also attended Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulu14
Ilkka KivimäkiFounding Partner & Advisor at Maki.vcRoel BulthuisInvestor at SynconaInka MeroFounder & Managing Partner at Voima VenturesLinda HaapioCFO at Voima VenturesDmitry LevitPartner at Cento VenturesJuuso PuolanneInvestment Director at Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd)
+ 8 more
Also attended Davidson College43
Robert MorrisInvestor at Y CombinatorSteve TregayManaging General Partner at Mission BiocapitalDaniel HanksManaging Partner at Lavrock VenturesGray RobinsonPartner at Congruent VenturesJon BassettManaging Partner at NextGen Venture PartnersJohn PhilpottPartner at FINTOP Capital
+ 37 more
