Cooperation with Good Intent, Synergy and Knowledge.
At INTENTUM, we believe in the power of good intent. We walk side by side with entrepreneurs to grow and succeed.
“If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”
INTENTUM engages investments from constituents in Norway into underserved entrepreneurs running small and medium businesses in emerging markets. We recognise that many of the social issues in countries with strong aid presence, could be solved with job creation through the transformative power of entrepreneurship that is values and faith driven.
INTENTUM’s journey is rooted in the belief that individuals and communities are created with an innate sense of purpose and a desire for autonomy in managing their own lives and future with dignity. We choose to join the local entrepreneurial community, in their dreams to realise the potential to create dignified jobs.
In INTENTUM, we believe that investment and its returns are more than financial. We choose to work in a space where the challenges and risks are high as we aim for multiple bottom-lines.
Trade-offs and tensions are inevitable, and forms the foundation for INTENTUM’s value proposition. Regardless of expectation of returns (People, Planet, Profit, Purpose), INTENTUM will build a portfolio of businesses that are financially viable, market driven and sustainable. INTENTUM raises philanthropic investments that is deployed as sound market-driven investments. Recovery of capital and earnings will be revolved to serve new entrepreneurs.
INTENTUM not only provides financial and practical support via patient capital, knowledge and competency, relationships and networks but also cultivates a culture of inclusivity, partnership, and collaboration. We are inspired by the migratory swallow, which symbolizes unity and collective strength. We envision INTENTUM as a place where entrepreneurs and investors walk side by side, transcending barriers and achieving great transformation as a community.
Meet Our Team
Get to know the talented individuals behind INTENTUM
Rune has a long track record from leadership and consultancy in entrepreneurship, business strategy, repositioning and change management.
‘I believe in sharing resources for the common good of God’s creation through cooperation
with local entrepreneurs to realize their visions’.
& Co-founder
Karen has worked in the banking, trade, and non-profit management sectors with extensive cross-cultural experience, having studied, worked and lived in Europe, Asia, Africa and
Australia.
‘I am constantly seeking solutions to fighting poverty and injustice within the context of my
Christian faith. I believe job creation through local entrepreneurship is way towards
community transformation.’
Jan was a serial entrepreneur his entire life. He was a master in seeing and creating opportunities, not only for himself and the vast number of businesses he started and was involved in.
Jan had a heart for the unprivileged and supported a series of philanthropic and Christian faith-based initiatives both in Scandinavia and other parts of the world. He was engaged in both businesses and his local community as a ‘father’ for many thankful individuals.
As one of the core founders of INTENTUM, we are grateful for his vision, creative ideas and contributions before he unexpectedly passed away in April, 2024.
Hallstein has co-founded and managed several small and medium size enterprises mainly within agriculture and food processing in Norway. Among other assignments, Hallstein is running a chicken farm providing food in the Norwegian market.
He embraces ethical value creation and thrives in the business environment. He has for the past 20 years been a part time pastor in a Pentecostal congregation in Norway.
Lars Helge runs his family-owned investment company with investments and active
ownership within renewable energy, infrastructure and aquaculture.
His Christian faith is a
driver in pursuing sustainable solutions for growth and synergies towards a bright future for
all.
John Doe
CEO, Startup Co.
Jane Smith
CTO, Tech Startup
Jane Smith
CTO, Tech Startup
Meet Our Partners
Read more about our qualified business partners
CBA
Sinapis
They started in Kenya in 2010 and leads the faith-driven entrepreneurship eco-system. INTENTUM’s partnership with Sinapis enables us access to a pipeline of viable business cases to be considered for engagement.
Faith driven entrepreneur
Faith driven investor
Side by side to create impact and success with our partners
FAQ
Find answers to common questions about our investment criteria and the application process.
INTENTUM is industry agnostic. In addition to the criteria below, we look for
businesses that can positively impact their value chain. Job creation and links to
smallholders is key.
We will focus in on some specific and relevant industries as we discover both the needs
on the ground, and opportunities to transfer needed Nordic expertise and resources.
1. Character
Passion, integrity, honesty, transparency, balance with work, family, church etc
2. Employment
A stable team, good treatment of employees, strong opportunity for new hires
3. Kingdom Impact
Your business helps builds God’s Kingdom / brings the good news to others in
some way
4. Growth Plan
A documented credible growth plan with sales, costs etc for the next 18-36 months
5. Market Potential
Your business can grow organically and significantly within your target market
6. Sales Traction
Your service/product delivers customer value and has a demonstrated sales
record
7. Stability
You are on a consistent trajectory with more of the same to come
8. Financials
Business tracking with standard reports, good cash flow, plus an understanding of the
numbers
9. Business
Solid knowledge of the market, business, technology with full-time commitment to the
business
10. Competition
You are not the only one in your space, but you are better with a sustainable
advantage
INTENTUM’s investment decision is based less on ticket size but the stage of the
growth the business is in, and the opportunity to be co-entrepreneurs.
Ticket size will generally range between USD50-200k.
INTENTUM aims to serve the lower end of the missing middle – under-served
businesses that have outgrown microfinance, but are too small to be served by
commercial banks.
Revenue-based financing (RBF)
INTENTUM takes a percentage share of the company’s revenue until an agreed sum
has been repaid. This agreed sum is based on a multiple that ranges between
3-5 times of the invested amount.
The multiple of the loan, the percentage of revenue to be paid, and the tenure is decided together with the entrepreneur based on the growth trajectory forecast from the investment.
How to apply and pitch my business to INTENTUM?
INTENTUM together with our partners Christian Business Angels and Sinapis host
3-4 pitch events per year. Look out for pitch calls on our various social media
platforms.
How does the selection process look like? How long does this take?
There is a selection filter already at the point of application to pitch, supported by paid workshop in between to prep the entrepreneur.
Allow approximately 2-3 months for this interactive process to run.
Businesses selected form the pitch undergo a due diligence and investment
readiness process with a CBA/INTENTUM coach/advisor. Technical experts
may be mobilised based on identified needs.
How is the interrelation between a local enterprise and INTENTUM after funds are deployed /
post investment?
The long-term co-entrepreneurship journey is INTENTUM's value proposition. We will be represented in the board, and support with coaching and consultancy, to strategise and grow the business together with its leadership (until the RBF is concluded as agreed).
What is the process for an entrepreneur if not being selected after assessment?
If a business does not make it to the deployment stage of financial investments, INTENTUM has already invested in an entrepreneur and their business in the pre-investment phase. The
investment readiness process helps the entrepreneur identify areas of improvement. There may be opportunities to pursue a financial relationship at a later stage.
INTENTUM welcomes both financial, competency and resources in time. If you feel the call
to be part of what we do, we invite you to connect with us. See contact form or email us.
INTENTUM has a pipeline of aligned business cases at different stages of the funnel. Talk to
us and give us an opportunity to pitch a business that aligns with your heart, head and
pocket!
INTENTUM is neither a fund manager nor do we facilitate peer-to-peer lending at this stage.
Philanthropic investment is raised for specific investments and your giving may be ‘tied’ to a specific business case. Where there is a match and relevance, there may be opportunities for a philanthropic investor to engage with a entrepreneur/business beyond finances.
Investors receive financial updates of the company as well as updates on how the business is
meeting it’s other social and impact matrices.
INTENTUM mobilises philanthropic investments to be deployed commercially. This means you are giving money to be deployed as investment, driven by business principles. The segment INTENTUM works in is under-served because the risks are high and entrepreneurs often also require non-financial support. Patient capital, capacity building and access to networks are needed to grow these businesses to a sustainable level. INTENTUM’s choice to work in this space comes from of the opportunity for job creation, and transformational impact.
INTENTUM expects a return on investments. Philanthropic investments raised is deployed based on solid market-driven, and viable business principles. Businesses that we work with must have viable business models, and entrepreneurs with drive and grit. Capital payback with return on investment will be channelled into a revolving fund to be deployed into other impact businesses.
INTENTUM is reliant on generous donors in our own start-up phase. We plan to at least
build a cost-recovery model to better steward the funds we raise. We want to hold ourselves
to the same principles of sustainability and viability as the entrepreneurs we work alongside.