What Kaplak Ventures does

Kaplak Ventures is a private investment and advisory partnership founded in 2022 that operates accelerator programs and makes pre-seed to Series A investments in early-stage climate technology startups. The firm is headquartered in Hellerup, in the Copenhagen metropolitan area of Denmark, with an additional office in New York City, and runs two primary cohort programs: the Climate Tech Catalyzer (a 3-week program for up to 8 Danish pre-seed to Series B companies seeking US market entry, operated in partnership with Industriens Fond) and the ReGen Accelerator (a 2-month global program hosted at ClimateHaven, a Yale University and Connecticut Innovations partnership, accepting up to 10 companies per cohort across the Energy, Real Estate, Food, Transportation, and Health sectors). In addition to cohorts, the firm offers bespoke Partner Programs, including customized acceleration programs and innovation sprints for corporates, governments, and venture capital firms.

The firm's core intellectual property is the proprietary 'Dreams & Details' leadership and strategy framework, co-developed by former SAP Co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe (current Chair of Siemens AG and Northvolt, former Chair of A.P. Moller - Maersk) and Mikael Trolle (former Danish National Volleyball head coach and CEO of Idonea). The framework blends Nordic thought leadership with US startup ecosystem methodology, structured to convert technical founders into CEOs by helping them articulate a 'stakeholder story' for investors, customers, and future hires. Upon graduation, cohort companies are paired with 'Kaplaks' (senior advisors and global business leaders) for ongoing mentorship, customer introductions, and investor connectivity.

Kaplak operates as a partnership rather than a traditional venture fund, with 1-10 employees and a leadership team that includes Managing Partner Matthew Hooper, Partners Peter Trolle Bonnesen and Matt Puccini (ex-IBM Innovation Ecosystem), and Program Director Shai Tamary, supplemented by Senior Partners Jesper Lok (Chair of Dagrofa and Inchcape) and Stig Pastwa (former CFO/COO of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners). Revenue is generated through a mix of accelerator program operations (with the Climate Tech Catalyzer funded by Industriens Fond, excluding flights and accommodations), bespoke pre-seed to Series A equity investments in portfolio companies, and professional services delivered through the 'Kaplak' advisory matching and Partner Programs. Reported ReGen Accelerator NPS is 57.14 based on founder feedback, and the firm reports no patents, trademarks, regulatory actions, M&A, or disclosed funding rounds.

Name

Kaplak Ventures

Legal name

Kaplak Ventures

Website

https://kaplakventures.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kaplak Ventures is a Copenhagen- and New York-based investment and advisory partnership that runs the ReGen Accelerator (global, 2-month) and Climate Tech Catalyzer (Danish, 3-week) for pre-seed to Series B climate tech startups, anchored by the proprietary 'Dreams & Details' framework and a senior global advisor bench.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Tech Accelerator & Venture Capital Advisory

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate / Clean Tech & Decarbonization Funds (FSANAJAA), Energy & Sustainability / Climate Growth Equity (FSANACAG), Climate Finance Strategy (CapEx planning, green finance, incentives & grants) (EUABAKAG)

Keywords

• Climate tech accelerators
• Venture capital advisory
• Startup mentorship programs
• Decarbonization investments
• Pre-seed series A

Headquarters

HQ city

Hellerup

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Accelerator Program Fees: Kaplak Ventures operates accelerator programs for climate tech startups. The Climate Tech Catalyzer is funded by Industriens Fond (excluding flights and accommodations). The ReGen Accelerator accepts startups globally. Programs provide access to funding, mentorship, and network connectivity.
2. Investment Returns: The firm provides bespoke investments in portfolio companies from pre-seed to Series A, earning returns on their capital deployed in climate tech startups.
3. Advisory Services: Post-graduation, companies are assigned a 'Kaplak' - a senior advisor and global business leader offering subject matter expertise, leadership experience, and connectivity to global networks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kaplak Ventures runs accelerator programs for early-stage climate tech startups and makes bespoke pre-seed to Series A investments alongside advisory services. Its core deliverables include the ReGen Accelerator (a 2-month global program at ClimateHaven), the Climate Tech Catalyzer (a 3-week Danish-to-US market program funded by Industriens Fond), bespoke Partner Programs for corporates and governments, and ongoing post-graduation advisory from senior partners ('Kaplaks') all powered by the proprietary 'Dreams & Details' leadership framework.

Product overview

Kaplak Ventures offers a portfolio of climate tech accelerator programs and advisory services. The core offerings include the ReGen Accelerator (global program at ClimateHaven/Yale) for early-stage startups, the Climate Tech Catalyzer (Danish-focused program for US market entry in partnership with Industriens Fond), and bespoke Partner Programs for corporates and governments. All programs are powered by the proprietary 'Dreams & Details' leadership and strategy framework, which was developed by former SAP Co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe and former Danish National Volleyball Coach Mikael Trolle. Upon graduating from accelerators, companies receive ongoing support from 'Kaplaks' — senior advisors and global business leaders who provide subject matter expertise and connectivity to global networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ReGen for Startups: Accelerator program for Pre-Seed to Seed-stage founders
• ReGen for Scaleups
• Climate Tech Catalyzer

Products and services

• ReGen Accelerator A two-month global accelerator program for early-stage climate tech startups working to decarbonize at scale across five sectors (Energy, Real Estate, Food, Transportation, and Health), hosted at ClimateHaven, a climate innovation hub created by Yale University and Connecticut Innovations. Accepts up to 10 companies per cohort.
• Climate Tech Catalyzer A 3-week accelerator program for Danish climate tech companies (Pre-Seed to Series B) seeking to scale, commercialize, and explore the US market, run in partnership with Industriens Fond (Danish Industry Foundation). Includes strategy workshops and tailored 1:1 meetings with US investors, mentors, and potential customers, culminating in a high-profile Showcase in New York City. Accepts up to 8 companies per cohort.
• Partner Programs Bespoke innovation programming for corporates, governments, and VCs, including customized acceleration programs and innovation sprints aligned to unique organizational innovation goals.
• Dreams & Details Strategy Framework A proprietary leadership and strategy methodology co-developed by former SAP Co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe and former Danish National Volleyball Coach Mikael Trolle, designed to help leaders and organizations thrive in fast-changing environments by balancing ambitious dreams with critical operational details.

Quantifiable outcome

• NPS of 57.14 for ReGen Accelerator program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Industriens Fond (Danish Industry Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Denmark's leading economic development organization to power the Climate Tech Catalyzer program. Industriens Fond funds the program for Danish climate tech companies (excluding flights and accommodations), enabling Pre-Seed to Series B startups to develop commercialization strategies and explore the US market.
• ClimateHaven (Yale University & Connecticut Innovations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysical host location for the ReGen Accelerator program. ClimateHaven is a climate innovation hub created by Yale University and Connecticut Innovations. The partnership provides the venue and ecosystem connections for global climate tech startups participating in the 2-month accelerator program.
• Jim Hagemann SnabecoreOthersCo-creator of the proprietary Dreams & Details strategy framework along with Mikael Trolle. Former Co-CEO of SAP, current Chair of Siemens and Northvolt, and former Chair of Maersk. Uses the framework as a blueprint for corporate decarbonization transformations.
• Mikael TrollecoreOthersCo-creator of the Dreams & Details framework with Jim Hagemann Snabe. CEO and Partner of Idonea, former Danish National Volleyball Coach, and lecturer at University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen Business School.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SOSV (IndieBio / HAX): Multi-stage venture fund and accelerator operator running vertical-specific programs (IndieBio for biology/climate biotech, HAX for hardware). Comparable to Kaplak in combining accelerator seats with pre-seed/seed investment in deep-tech and climate startups.
• Creative Destruction Lab: Mentorship-driven program for massively scalable science- and technology-based ventures with a dedicated Climate stream. Comparable to Kaplak in pairing early-stage founders with senior operators and investors through structured cohort sessions.
• Greentown Labs: The largest climate-tech startup incubator in North America, running hardware-focused accelerator programs for climate startups. Directly comparable to Kaplak's ReGen Accelerator as a vertical-specific climate-tech accelerator with a strong mentor network.
• Activate (formerly Cyclotron Road): Fellowship and accelerator for science- and engineering-based founders tackling climate and other deep-tech challenges. Directly comparable to Kaplak in supporting technically ambitious founders and pairing them with senior industry advisors.
• Powerhouse Ventures: Climate-tech venture firm that runs accelerator-style programs and invests in early-stage solar, mobility, grid, and built-environment startups. Closely comparable to Kaplak's mission of scaling founders decarbonizing at industrial scale.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform with a dedicated Sustainability vertical that runs accelerator programs for climate-tech startups. Comparable to Kaplak in offering structured cohort-based programs, corporate connectivity, and follow-on capital pathways.
• Elemental Excelerator: Climate-tech accelerator that funds and scales startups deploying infrastructure for climate impact across energy, mobility, water, and circular economy. Closely comparable to Kaplak's five-sector decarbonization focus and its model of pairing capital with corporate and government partners.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: One of the world's largest accelerator operators with sustainability- and climate-tech-relevant programs (e.g., Techstars Sustainability Works). Comparable to Kaplak as a cohort-based accelerator with mentor networks and investor demo days, but operates at much larger scale and across many verticals.
• Khosla Ventures: Large, established venture firm with deep climate-tech exposure across energy, transportation, food, and industry. Comparable to Kaplak in deploying early-stage capital into decarbonization ventures, but at materially greater scale and with a longer exit track record.

Emerging players

• Antler: Global early-stage venture firm running cohort-based residencies that match founders with advisors and pre-seed capital. Comparable to Kaplak in operating founder cohorts with a senior-advisor matching layer, though with broader sector scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaplak-ventures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kaplak Ventures