KRISTJAN VILOSIUS

Kristjan Vilosius is a highly respected figure in the European tech and venture capital landscape, known for his deep operational expertise and strategic investment acumen. As the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Specialist VC, he plays a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing the next generation of B2B SaaS and deep tech innovators. His firm, Specialist VC, is dedicated to backing ambitious founders primarily in the Baltics, Nordics, and Central and Eastern Europe, regions he believes hold immense untapped potential for technological disruption.

At Specialist VC, Kristjan's investment thesis centers on companies leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve complex business problems. This includes a strong emphasis on B2B SaaS solutions that demonstrate scalability and strong market fit, as well as deep tech ventures pushing the boundaries in areas like AI, advanced materials, and frontier technologies. He is particularly drawn to founders with a clear vision, strong execution capabilities, and a global mindset, aiming to build category-defining companies from the ground up. His hands-on approach and extensive network provide significant value beyond just capital, offering strategic guidance and operational support to accelerate growth.

Before co-founding Specialist VC, Kristjan Vilosius built an impressive career as a serial entrepreneur and angel investor. He is perhaps best known for co-founding Mobi Solutions, a pioneering mobile services company, and later Fortumo, a global mobile payments provider. Under his leadership, Fortumo grew into a significant player in its field, eventually leading to a successful acquisition by Boku. This journey from startup founder to scaling a global enterprise equipped Kristjan with a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by early-stage companies. His experience spans product development, market expansion, and team building, all critical elements he now helps his portfolio companies master.

Kristjan's influence extends beyond his direct investments at Specialist VC. He was an early advisor and investor in several now-iconic Estonian startups, including Bolt, one of Europe's leading transportation platforms. While at Specialist VC, the firm has built a robust portfolio featuring promising companies such as Veriff, a global identity verification leader; Starship Technologies, revolutionizing last-mile delivery with autonomous robots; Pactum AI, an AI-powered negotiation platform; and Tuum, a next-generation core banking platform. These investments reflect his commitment to backing innovative solutions that have the potential for significant global impact.

Kristjan Vilosius embodies the modern venture capitalist: a founder-turned-investor who leverages his operational past to empower future entrepreneurs. His strategic vision, combined with a deep understanding of the tech ecosystem, makes him a crucial partner for startups aiming to achieve global scale. Through Specialist VC, he continues to shape the technological landscape, fostering innovation and driving economic growth across key European markets.