Hello all Nordics and friends of the Nordics, We welcome back all our members and followers that have been in their respective Nordic countries and are back in South Africa. We have a great lineup of happenings in Nordic House this spring. The details are further down in this email. Nordic House has been growing in more ways than one! We want to welcome our newest members to the family: See all our members here. We have, in turn, also invested in the team to ensure we run a world-class service for all our members. I am proud to announce that we have brought on board a team of legal, financial, technical, and operational experts with a combined experience of over 100 years! In 2022, Nordic House founder, Laura joined the Hästens Beds team as the Business Developer in Africa. Hästens is a 171-year-old family-owned business in the small town of Köping in Sweden making simply the best beds in the world. In order to fully concentrate on developing Africa for Hästens Beds, Laura took a step back from managing Nordic House full-time, and changed her role this year to be Chairman of Nordic House. Daily operations at Nordic House are now run by Victoria, who really gets things done (her tagline)! She is assisted by Andy the attorney, Steve on anything tech-related, Ines for anything marketing-related, Anza and Michelle on accounting, tax, and opening up entities, as well as appointed experts on cybersecurity, HR specialists, relocation agencies, and so many more. Read more about the Nordic House team here. |
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Upcoming Events at Nordic House |
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Thursday 14th September: "Nordic Second Thursdays" We would like to introduce the all-new Nordic Second Thursdays! (See what we did there?!) Every second Thursday of the month, we will meet for drinks at a venue in Cape Town. This coming month we’ll be kicking off at the incredible The Bailey. Here you will find the perfect opportunity to connect, mingle, and forge powerful relationships with fellow members from the Nordic House and beyond! The Bailey building is steeped in history and retains the best original features – thick, raw brick walls, high ceilings, and parquet flooring. Spanning across multiple themed floors, The Bailey sets out to bring theatre back into dining out, igniting a sparkle of glamour when enjoying a night out on the town. Looking forward to seeing you there. Get ready to ignite the power of connection with the Nordic House network! |
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TBC second half of September: Discover Vibrant South Africa: Embrace Immigration, Explore Tourism, and Store Memories (literally) Watch this space, the date is being confirmed as we speak! The primary host for this members only event will be Geir Tellefsen, Global Entrepreneur, Self-Storage & Renewable Energy Innovator and Honorary Consul for Norway & Sweden in Cape Town. He will be joined by co-hosts, Matt Biden, CEO of The Royal Portfolio, and Ines Rosef-Ingram owner of Pine3 Marketing and an avid public speaker who is passionate about supporting businesses to exceed their goals. We will also have a very special guest joining us. We are looking forward to meeting all our members at The Silo Hotel in the V&A Waterfront for some great conversations over some delicious food and drinks! |
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Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Powers Up South Africa's Energy Transformation Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) is setting its sights on South Africa, bringing its global expertise in renewable energy investment to the nation. With a strong commitment to sustainability, CIP is injecting resources into vital renewable energy projects, paving the way for a greener future. These investments align seamlessly with South Africa's drive to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security. In an equally exciting venture, CIP is fostering collaboration with local startups in the energy sector. By nurturing innovation and creativity, CIP aims to accelerate the adoption of pioneering technologies that can reshape energy production and consumption. This partnership not only supports startups with valuable guidance but also contributes to the broader objective of advancing sustainable practices in the country. CIP's entry into South Africa signifies a shared vision for sustainable growth, innovation, and responsible development. With a reputation for successful ventures worldwide, CIP's involvement is expected to make a substantial impact on the country's renewable energy landscape. As CIP's initiatives gain momentum, anticipation grows for the positive changes they will bring to South Africa. The collaboration with local startups holds the promise of driving transformative shifts in energy solutions, reinforcing the nation's position at the forefront of sustainable development. Watch this space as CIP plays a pivotal role in shaping a cleaner, more resilient energy future for South Africa and beyond. |
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Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, the South African Ambassador to Denmark, Fikile Magubane, and the Danish ambassador to South Africa, Tobias Elling Rehfeld, cut the ribbons with CIP partner, Niels Holst, at CIP’s new joint office with Mulilo Energy Holdings in Cape Town. |
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Laura Lykkegaard: Celebrating 30 Years of Bridging the Nordics and South Africa Join us in celebrating a remarkable milestone as Laura Lykkegaard commemorates her 30th anniversary since landing on South African shores. With a spirit of adventure and a hunger to connect the Nordics with South Africa, Laura arrived, rather curious, and with an appetite to succeed in 1993. Little did she know that this journey would become something truly extraordinary. From the very beginning, Laura has seen herself as a bridge builder, tirelessly working to foster connections between the Nordics and South Africa. Her unbounded passion and determination have been the driving force behind Nordic House's mission to facilitate business relationships and friendships in both directions. Throughout her incredible journey, Laura has witnessed the transformative power of collaboration and cultural exchange. Nordic House has become a beacon of support, not only for Nordic companies seeking success in South Africa but also for South African businesses looking to thrive in the Nordics. By recognizing that the platform she has built can be traversed from both sides, Laura has opened doors to endless possibilities. Nordic House has been instrumental in providing assistance, guidance, and resources to Nordic companies venturing into the South African market. Simultaneously, Laura and her team have enabled South African businesses to flourish in the Nordics, paving the way for shared success and growth. Laura's dedication as a expeditor has cultivated a deeper understanding between the Nordics and South Africa. Her tireless efforts have not only facilitated business opportunities but also fostered friendships, cultural exchange, collaboration, and mutual respect. As we celebrate Laura Lykkegaard's 30th anniversary, we honour her unwavering commitment and passion for connecting the Nordics with South Africa. Her journey has been nothing short of remarkable, leaving a lasting impact on countless individuals and businesses. Here's to the next chapter of Nordic House's story, where Laura and her team will continue to bridge the gap, inspire collaboration, and shape a brighter future for the Nordic and South African business communities. Join us in recognizing Laura's incredible achievement and celebrating the fascinating journey she has embarked upon. |
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Sign up for a membership We are offering membership with benefits for you and your business. By signing up to our exclusive network you can interact with each other on our members-only WhatsApp group, and get invitations to Members-Only events. You will benefit from the vast knowledge and experience of fellow Nordics. Right now new memberships are free, as we gain momentum again post-Covid and are looking to expand our network. |
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Stay in the loop! Until next time, please spread the word to your Nordic-related friends and business contacts to sign up for our newsletter. They can do so by visiting our website www.nordichouse.co.za Do you want to announce something in our next newsletter? Send a message to hello@nordichouse.co.za Stay connected with us for more exciting events, insightful discussions, business and cultural exchanges that define the spirit of the Nordic House Cape Town Network. Follow our social channels to stay up to date with what's going on with Nordic House Network. We look forward to sharing Nordic moments with you! |
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We are excited to see the network growing and Iooking forward to meeting new members soon. All the best, |
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