Latest news with #KarlRosander
Local Sweden
19-06-2025
- Business
- Local Sweden
Podcast pioneer to drone destroyer: Swedish founder's defence start-up
Karl Rosander is best known as co-founder of the world's largest independent podcast hosting company, Acast. But in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he has entirely reinvented himself, co-founding the drone interceptor start-up Nordic Air Defence. Advertisement Karl Rosander takes a break from his lunch to show off the Kreuger 100 interceptor on the conference table in front of him. "It's actually here," he declares, picking up a model a little larger than a Toblerone bar or a cardboard tube for kitchen roll. "This is a prototype. It's not larger than this. This is the actual size." The interceptor is "unjammable", he says, "because today, drones can be autonomous, which means they don't have any range of signal between the drone and the operator." The company, he says, has developed "a special technology we're pretty secret about", with two patents pending. "What we do is that we take away expensive hardware and replace it with software and clever aerodynamics. That means we bring down the costs a lot and we can mass produce it." Advertisement The Kreuger 100 uses an innovative method to control and propel itself. Photo: Nordic Air Defence When I ask, however, if Nordic Air Defence, the company of which he is CEO, has produced a working prototype capable of flying at the speeds required to take down an Iranian Shahed drone, he avoids the question. "I always start a company by building hype around it. Nice design. You build hype, you have a couple of angles for the press. And what that means you will be attractive to capital but also to talented people that want to work with you." "What we're doing now it's we are getting production ready, and we're not there yet, but we are moving really fast, much faster than the old legacy industry that builds a very expensive, huge systems that take ten years to develop." Advertisement Karl Rosander is the co-founder of Acast. Photo: Malin Hoelstad/SvD/TT Rosander is one of Sweden's most prolific tech entrepreneurs. He co-founded the podcast platform Acast in 2013, leaving the board five years later. He then co-founded the media micropayments platform Sesamy. The idea for Nordic Air Defence was brought to him in late 2023 in his role as an angel investor. Three people, one of whom was "a very technically skilled person", presented to him with a plan to use "software and clever aerodynamics" to make a cheap drone interceptor. "I said 'okay, is this going to work for real? Because if it does, it's going to be huge success, and we need it fast to meet the threat'." Advertisement They hired a physicist involved in defence research, who used "advanced simulation software" to check that the idea would work, and when they concluded that it would, he decided to go all in. "In the third meeting with investors, it suddenly came to me. 'I've spent the last 27 years learning how to be an entrepreneur just to do this project'. So I told them in the meeting, 'I'm going to be the CEO'. Since then I've been working day and night." For him, there is no essential difference between launching a media software platform like Acast or Sesamy, and developing military hardware. "An industry that's about to change. That's my sweet spot," he says. "It doesn't matter what area it actually is - it's fun to work with defense and also with tech, because you can scale a lot. When I started with the company 15 to 16 months ago, you could see that this is an industry that has to change rapidly." Rosander is not the only tech investor looking at defence. Daniel Ek, the Spotify founder, has become a major investor in the German drone company Helsing. He argues that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has transformed the perception of the defence industry. "Before that happened, as an entrepreneur in tech, or any kind of entrepreneur, it was not nice, it was ugly. It was sort of better to work with gambling," he says. "Now I get a hug when I tell people I'm working in defense. So it's an industry about to change. That's why I'm here." The fundamental idea behind Nordic Air Defence is simple. A single Patriot missile costs $4 million, and even the cheapest air defence missiles cost $200,000, Rosander explains. This makes stopping drone attacks prohibitively expensive. In Ukraine, Russia now brings drones to their targets at very high altitudes so that they cannot be shot down by machine guns, which are much cheaper, and then makes them dive. If someone can develop a drone interceptor that can take out a swarm of drones at a low cost, it would be a game changer, particularly if it could be easily manufactured in Europe. Whether Nordic Air Defence can achieve this feat is another question. On their website, the company displays an image of a box containing nine interceptors. Rosander is vague, however, when asked exactly what hardware his company is able to replace with software, or on how the revolutionary electrically driven "pulsed air" propulsion system will work. "We are taking away a lot of controlling mechanisms, like servos, things that are expensive. On an aeroplane, you have a lot of flaps and systems. You have to do tests, tests, tests. And we take away that. We have this innovation in our way to control this little vehicle. No one has done this before." Perhaps this is because he is the CEO and frontman rather than the technical leader. But he is still confident that his company can execute its vision faster than established defence giants like Saab, Lockheed-Martin, or BAE Systems. "Those big companies have great innovation, but they are slower than we are. Until a year ago, the procurement agencies were buying systems on a ten-year scheme. So they've already bought what's going to be delivered. "But now everything has changed, because we need new stuff. And those large companies, they want to partner up with the companies like us. Sometimes they buy companies like us." Advertisement Rosander's colleague, Jens Holzapfel, who previously worked on security for the Swedish public sector, chips in to add that the Swedish Armed Forces are belatedly realising the strategic significance of drones. "We're in the middle of that reform at the moment. Before the second Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Swedish army and many other European armies considered drones to be something very exclusive. You had low numbers. They were reusable. You used them for reconnaissance rather than for strikes. You basically thought of drones as unmanned aircraft. You didn't look at drones as ammunition, which we're seeing in Ukraine today." Even so, his says, it will still take several years before the Swedish Armed Forces start to approach the drone capability of the Ukrainians. "They have innovated out of necessity, fighting for their lives. We have the luxury of not having to do that yet." So, back to the question of what current prototypes of the Kreuger 100 can actually do. Nordic Air Defence is not yet allowing journalists to visit its research and prototyping unit. "But do you have something that can actually fly?" I ask. "We can fly," he responds. "Yes. We can say that."
Business Upturn
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Atos positioned as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services report
Press Release Atos positioned as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services report Paris, France – May 21, 2025 – Atos today announces that it has been positioned as a Leader by Gartner® in its 2025 Magic Quadrant™ for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services (ODWS), based on its Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. This is the ninth consecutive year that Atos has been placed in the Leaders quadrant in a Gartner Magic Quadrant report dedicated to Outsourced Digital Workplace Services (ODWS)1. Atos' digital workplace services provide end-to-end Engaged Employee Experience through digital collaboration and productivity tools, as well as intelligent customer care services that enable new ways of working and include 20 'Tech for Good' features to address clients' CSR goals. Persona-based employee journeys enable secure and effortless access to applications, resources and devices from any location, allowing every individual to maximize their contribution, regardless of disability or impairment. Atos sustainable digital workplace suite, that is included in its ODWS portfolio, fosters more sustainable and cost-effective workplace environments through transparent, responsible sourcing and device lifecycle management to reduce customers' carbon footprint across the ecosystem. Atos Experience Operations Center (XOC) launched in 2024, leverages cognitive analytics, virtual agents, remote diagnostics, innovative device provisioning and robust asset tracking for a secure, frictionless employee device support experience, and also complements Atos' service desk with proactive issue resolution. To quickly identify and address employees' IT issues before they impact their activity and business operations, the Atos Experience Operations Center (XOC) leverages automation and AI and aggregates data in real time to inform decisions about digital employee experience, allowing agile and responsive decision-making and problem resolution before users are affected. Leon Gilbert, EVP & Head of Digital Workplace Business Line, Atos, said: 'Gartner recognition is an honor that we believe reflects on our breakthrough approach to human-centric, flexible and hybrid digital workplace environments powered by state-of-the-art technologies and on our commitment to co-create with our customers outcome-driven tailored services. This recognition gives us confidence in our capacity to further transform the future of work.' The 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ evaluated 18 service providers based on their Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. To download a copy of the report, please go to *** Disclaimer Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services, By Karl Rosander, Matt Baldino, Biswajit Maity, Andrea Lanzavecchia, Katja Ruud, Tom Sieber, 24 March 2025 GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, Magic Quadrant is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. *** About Atos Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 74,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 68 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris. The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space. Press contact Isabelle Grangé | [email protected] | +33 (0) 6 64 56 74 88 1 The 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services replaces three separate regional Magic Quadrants for North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region, called Magic Quadrant for Managed Workplace Services (2017-2021). Attachment PR-Atos positioned as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services report Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atos positioned as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services report
Press Release Atos positioned as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services report Paris, France – May 21, 2025 – Atos today announces that it has been positioned as a Leader by Gartner® in its 2025 Magic Quadrant™ for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services (ODWS), based on its Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. This is the ninth consecutive year that Atos has been placed in the Leaders quadrant in a Gartner Magic Quadrant report dedicated to Outsourced Digital Workplace Services (ODWS)1. Atos' digital workplace services provide end-to-end Engaged Employee Experience through digital collaboration and productivity tools, as well as intelligent customer care services that enable new ways of working and include 20 'Tech for Good' features to address clients' CSR goals. Persona-based employee journeys enable secure and effortless access to applications, resources and devices from any location, allowing every individual to maximize their contribution, regardless of disability or impairment. Atos sustainable digital workplace suite, that is included in its ODWS portfolio, fosters more sustainable and cost-effective workplace environments through transparent, responsible sourcing and device lifecycle management to reduce customers' carbon footprint across the ecosystem. Atos Experience Operations Center (XOC) launched in 2024, leverages cognitive analytics, virtual agents, remote diagnostics, innovative device provisioning and robust asset tracking for a secure, frictionless employee device support experience, and also complements Atos' service desk with proactive issue resolution. To quickly identify and address employees' IT issues before they impact their activity and business operations, the Atos Experience Operations Center (XOC) leverages automation and AI and aggregates data in real time to inform decisions about digital employee experience, allowing agile and responsive decision-making and problem resolution before users are affected. Leon Gilbert, EVP & Head of Digital Workplace Business Line, Atos, said: 'Gartner recognition is an honor that we believe reflects on our breakthrough approach to human-centric, flexible and hybrid digital workplace environments powered by state-of-the-art technologies and on our commitment to co-create with our customers outcome-driven tailored services. This recognition gives us confidence in our capacity to further transform the future of work.' The 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ evaluated 18 service providers based on their Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. To download a copy of the report, please go to *** Disclaimer Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services, By Karl Rosander, Matt Baldino, Biswajit Maity, Andrea Lanzavecchia, Katja Ruud, Tom Sieber, 24 March 2025 GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, Magic Quadrant is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. *** About Atos Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 74,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 68 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris. The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space. Press contact Isabelle Grangé | | +33 (0) 6 64 56 74 88 1 The 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services replaces three separate regional Magic Quadrants for North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region, called Magic Quadrant for Managed Workplace Services (2017-2021). Attachment PR-Atos positioned as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services reportError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Axios
02-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Karl Rosander: "With or without Putin, Russia will be an existential threat to Europe"
In today's global security environment, one needs to be "watching everywhere," according to Karl Rosander, the chief executive at Nordic Air Defence. There are concerns across the greater Middle East, tensions between the U.S. and China, and pressures from Russia, "which has proven to have no hesitations to use any military means to disrupt European security," he told Axios in an interview. "With or without [Vladimir] Putin, Russia will be an existential threat to Europe." Why he matters: Rosander is a serial entrepreneur and among a growing stable of European defense-tech enthusiasts. His company is based in Sweden, which joined NATO a little more than one year ago. Q: When you hear "future of defense," what comes to mind? A: Without defense there is no state, so the future of defense is the future of each state. Therefore, it's quite vital, I would say. Q: When will wars be waged solely by robots? A: Hopefully never, but realistically sooner than we think. But, with luck, we'll have 10-15 years to prepare for it. Q: Where are you investing internally, and how could it shake up the status quo? A: I cannot reveal what we are currently doing. However, what I can say is we are treating hardware development like you would software. This is a new way of thinking, which should result in getting to market faster. Q: How many emails do you get a day, and how do you deal with them? A: My inbox is currently showing 127,229 unread emails, which makes me quite stressed out. Most of them are junk, but I always check through them to ensure I'm actioning and responding to the important ones. Q: What's your secret to a successful overnight flight? A: It is easy: Eat before you board, maybe an herbal tea, and go to bed before take-off. Staying up for airplane food is not worth it. No alcohol on flights. Actually, no alcohol ever is my advice if you want to stay sharp and in shape. Q: What's a piece of gear or tech you can't go without? A: My phone. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or hasn't thought it through.
Associated Press
31-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Kyndryl Named a Leader in Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services
Placed in the Leaders Quadrant for our Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision NEW YORK, March 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, today announced it has been recognized as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services (ODWS). A complimentary copy of the full report is available here. The Gartner Magic Quadrant evaluates vendors based on their Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. Kyndryl believes this recognition reflects its significant investments in its Kyndryl Bridge platform, its focus on Experience Level Agreements (XLAs), and its commitment to sustainability solutions. 'We believe this validates our 'connected experience' strategy of putting the employee experience linked to customer experience at the center of our digital workplace solutions,' said Ivan Dopplé, SVP & Global Practice Leader, Kyndryl Digital Workplace Services. 'By leveraging our Kyndryl Bridge platform to deliver data-driven insights, we are delivering tangible business outcomes for our customers.' For more information on Kyndryl's Digital Workplace Services. About Kyndryl Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, serving thousands of enterprise customers in more than 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages, and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, visit Gartner Disclaimer GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services, , March 31, 2025. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. SOURCE Kyndryl
