# Niko Karstikko

> Niko Karstikko is a Finnish entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Bob W, a European hospitality operator combining hotel standards with the utility of serviced apartments. A former corporate employee and SportSetter founder, he developed the idea through his own experience as an Airbnb host and frequent traveller.

- **Role:** Co-founder & CEO at Bob W
- **Organizations:** Bob W, SportSetter, Barclays, NetJets, Metso
- **Nationality:** Finnish
- **Education:** Bachelor degree in International Business and Finance, University of South Carolina, Applied to an entrepreneurship master’s programme; completion not established, Aalto University
- **Known for:** Co-founded and exited SportSetter in 2016., Co-founded Bob W and expanded the operator across European markets., Bob W raised a €40 million Series B in 2024.

## Career timeline

- **Age 14** — Worked the front desk at an eight-room bed-and-breakfast.
- **Before 2012** — Corporate work included Metso, NetJets and Barclays.
- **2012** — Co-founded SportSetter with Trevor Ferguson and began Airbnb hosting.
- **2014** — Won an OpenOcean poker tournament at Slush and pitched SportSetter to investors.
- **2016** — Exited SportSetter through its acquisition by The Orange Company.
- **2018** — Co-founded Bob W with Sebastian Emberger in Helsinki.
- **2022** — Bob W formalised stock options for all full-time employees.
- **2024** — Bob W raised a €40 million Series B led by Evli Growth Partners.
- **2026** — Led the media morning for Bob W’s first Austrian property in Vienna Döbling.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and exited SportSetter in 2016.
- Co-founded Bob W and expanded the operator across European markets.
- Bob W raised a €40 million Series B in 2024.
- Introduced employee stock options for all full-time Bob W colleagues with co-founder Sebastian Emberger.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Bob W announced a planned 285-studio property at Berlin Alexanderplatz, converting a former office building.
- **2026-09** — Karstikko led the media morning at the opening of Bob W Vienna Döbling, the company’s first Austrian property.
- **2026-09** — Bob W announced a planned 160-unit Rotterdam property, targeting summer 2027.
- **2026-01** — In a Mews podcast Karstikko discussed automation, a lean staffing model and the transition to profitability.

## Links

- Website: https://about.me/NikoK
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikokarstikko
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/NKarstikko

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/niko-karstikko
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14