From audience to the stage: How Dr. Theresa Rothenbücher is bridging deeptech, capital, and human connection at Connect Väst

From attending a Get Connected networkingevent, to connecting with the team, to taking up the role as Head of Språngbrädan®, and now sharing stage at our upcoming Get Connected event… we think we hit a bull’s eye with having Theresa on board, and yes, the pun was 100% intended. Äkta Göteborgsk koppling! 

While some of our colleagues already say it’s the hiring package as they get to pet the new fluffy colleague Alva (the beautiful dalmatian who is the third addition to the canine Connect-team), we are absolutely delighted to welcome Dr. Theresa Rothenbücher to the team. 

A passionate scientist with a PhD in Biotechnology, a co-founder herself of biotech startup Revo Foods, running her own consultancy, and earning a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Theresa has now officially stepped into her role as Business Developer (Affärsutvecklare Tillväxtkapital) at Connect Väst. 

Welcome to the team Theresa. After two years of your solo journey, what made you want to join a team again, and why Connect?

I was already familiar with Connect but attending a Get Connected event as an audience member was the real turning point. After two years running my own venture, I missed working with a team. But mainly my conversations with Connect’s team made me realise how we align on the same values to support the ecosystem with our expertise. And now, getting to take the stage as a speaker at the upcoming Get Connected event feels surreal!

You’ve seen almost every angle of the innovation journey,  what specific experiences are you most excited to bring to our entrepreneurs and investors? 

Honestly, it gives me a unique perspective. I know firsthand how daunting it is to translate complex science into a commercial reality. Having been in the same shoes as a founder and guiding investors in the past, I want to bring deep technical understanding to the table, de-risk the journey for both to make sure expertise is placed where it creates the biggest impact. 

Språngbrädan®, our award winning accelerator program, what is your vision and ambitions leading it?

Through Språngbrädan® my goal is to raise investor awareness, conduct technical due diligence, and translate high-level research into scalable business models. There is a potential here to become premier launchpad for high-impact deeptech, biotech, and climate-tech solutions. Complex science often feels like a black box to outside capital. My goal is to build trust on both sides of the table and equip startups with the capital they need to truly scale as they reach the real market. 

Long term, we want to look beyond local funding – bridging our West Swedish founders with international venture capital across the EU. 

What motivates you to get up every morning and do this work everyday?

Empathy and Impact. Deeptech and biotech innovations are vital to improving global health and fighting the climate crisis. But because the science is so complex, founders face high-stakes pressure and isolation in turning them into businesses. This is exactly the space I understand. If I could be the bridge between founders and Connectäs vast network of angel investors, I can channel the strength of both to elevate the ecosystem.

We love having your Dalmatian, Alva! Outside of work, can you share a fun little story so we can get to know you better? 

I love diving, trail hiking, and spending time with Alva. Right now, we are both just waiting for winter to arrive so we can go cross-country skiing together.

I really miss working in a research lab, so I have turned my kitchen into my extended lab for a few fun experiments around fermentation. Kombucha or right now I am working on vegan yoghurt recipes,

How can founders, investors, and partners in Gothenburg get in touch with you to work together?

You can reach out directly via email, connect with me on LinkedIn, or catch me in person at United Spaces. And if you’re stopping by the Connect Väst office for an event or coffee, you’ll get to meet Alva, too!

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