Chairman of the Investment Committee
Kaj Erik Relander
Kaj has spent much of his career in PE and venture capital focusing on technology companies. In his early career he had C level operating jobs in the telecom and software domains.
He is the Chairman of the Apis Investment Committee.
Prior to that, Kaj was the Chief Investment Officer at Emirates Investment Authority, a general partner at Accel Partners and the CEO and CFO of Sonera - later part of Telia - the Nordic telecom operator.
Kaj lives in Zurich, is married with three college aged children, and enjoys skiing, hiking, sailing and golf.
Hometown
Helsinki, Finland
Areas of expertise
Private equity, Telecom and media, Technology platforms
Currently located
Zurich, Switzerland
Languages
Finnish, Swedish, English, German
Prior Experience
Education
Boards & memberships
DU (DFM)
Telecom Operator, Member of the board, Dubai, UAE
BOOKIT.net
Board Member, Helsinki/ Dallas
SES (SESG)
Satellite operator, Member of the board, Luxembourg
Starzplay Arabia
Streaming video service in MENA, Member of the board of joint venture with Lionsgate/Starz, GE Pension Trust/State Street and SEQ, Dubai, UAE
Mubadala Development Company
SWF of the Abu Dhabi Government, Senior Independent Advisor, Member of TMT-Division Strategy Board, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Refugees United Foundation—Charity
Chairman, Copenhagen/Nairobi, Denmark/Kenya
Areas of focus at Apis
Chairman of the Investment Committee
What is the most important lesson you have ever learned?
Never try to be something you are not.
What are your favourite hobbies?
Sailing and navigation – I am in control of my own destiny and once I set out to sea, I have already arrived
What do you like the most about Apis?
Genuine, intellectually curious team
Why focus on positive social impact?
Doing good can also be a great business
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