Carsten Kølbek is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader with over 30 years of experience building businesses, investing in startups, and developing innovation ecosystems worldwide.

As Co-founder and Chairman of Startupbootcamp and Co-founder of Rainmaking, he has helped build one of the world’s leading startup accelerator networks, supporting more than 1,800 startups across 27 countries.

Throughout his career, Carsten has founded, scaled, and exited businesses, mentored entrepreneurs, and led international innovation initiatives across industries including AI, financial services, cybersecurity, sustainability, and emerging technologies.

With a background in chemical engineering, an MBA and EBA, and executive education from Harvard, MIT, and IMD, he combines hands-on entrepreneurial experience with a global perspective on innovation and technological transformation.