# Niklas Zennström

> Niklas Zennström is a Swedish entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist based in London. He co-founded Skype with Janus Friis and was its original CEO, then founded Atomico in 2006 to invest in technology companies. His public work also includes Zennström Philanthropies, established with his wife Catherine in 2007, and Race for the Baltic. His Rán sailing team won consecutive overall Rolex Fastnet Race victories in 2009 and 2011.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Atomico
- **Organizations:** Skype, Atomico, Kazaa, Joltid, Joost, Tele2, Zennström Philanthropies, Race for the Baltic, Rán Racing
- **From:** Järfälla, Sweden
- **Nationality:** Swedish
- **Education:** MSc in Engineering Physics, Uppsala University, BSc in Business Administration, Uppsala University, Exchange studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- **Known for:** Co-founded Skype, acquired by eBay in 2005 and Microsoft in 2011., Founded Atomico in 2006., Rán won the Rolex Fastnet Race overall under IRC in 2009 and 2011.

## Career timeline

- **1991** — Began his career at Tele2.
- **2000** — Began the Kazaa venture with Janus Friis; accounts vary on the founding and release dates.
- **2003** — Launched Skype with Janus Friis and an Estonian engineering team; served as original CEO.
- **2005** — eBay agreed to acquire Skype for $2.6 billion upfront, with additional contingent consideration.
- **2006** — Founded Atomico; also co-founded internet television venture Joost.
- **2007** — Established Zennström Philanthropies with Catherine Zennström.
- **2009** — Participated in the investor consortium buying a majority of Skype from eBay.
- **2011** — Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion.
- **2013** — Founded Race for the Baltic.
- **2024** — Atomico announced $1.24 billion across Venture VI and Growth VI.
- **2026** — Atomico marked its twentieth anniversary.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Skype, acquired by eBay in 2005 and Microsoft in 2011.
- Founded Atomico in 2006.
- Rán won the Rolex Fastnet Race overall under IRC in 2009 and 2011.
- Received the KTH Great Prize in 2009.
- Received an Oxford Internet Institute Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
- Named Uppsala University Alumnus of the Year in 2015.
- Funded a ten-year visiting professorship in climate leadership at Uppsala University.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — In an October 5 Handelsblatt interview, argued that European founders are creating original innovations and that Europe needs more growth capital and larger funds.
- **2026-01** — Discussed European technology, wealth and philanthropy on Sveriges Radio; subsequent January 26 reporting described his intention to give away his wealth and investment proceeds.
- **2026-10** — Atomico’s anniversary website marked twenty years since its founding in 2006.
- **2025-05** — Microsoft retired consumer Skype on May 5; this concerns the company he co-founded, rather than a current operating role.

## Links

- Website: https://atomico.com/team/niklas-zennstrom
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niklaszennstrom/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nzennstrom

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/niklas-zennstrom
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23