What Is Niklas Zennstrom's Net Worth?
Niklas Zennstrom is a Swedish entrepreneur who has a net worth of $1.3 billion. Niklas Zennstrom earned his net worth through his investments in Skype, Kazaa, and over thirty other companies. Niklas's biggest win was Skype. He sold Skype to eBay in 2005 for $3.1 billion. In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype from eBay for $8.5 billion. Zennstrom actually made another $1 billion off that sale.
Early Life
Niklas Zennstrom was born on February 16, 1966, in Järfälla, Sweden. He attended Uppsala University in Sweden and spent his final year at the University of Michigan. Niklas graduated with dual degrees in Business Administration and MSc engineering Physics/Computer Science. He embarked on his professional career in 1991 by joining Europe's first competitive phone company, Tele2.
Kazaa
Only one year later, Zennstrom teamed up with Janus Friis, and together, they set up Kazaa, a peer-to-peer file-sharing application. Under Niklas's term as CEO, the program became the world's most downloaded Internet software in 2003.
Skype
Zennstrom and Friis then co-founded Skype in 2002 with the goal of freeing consumers and business associates from the need to pay to talk to each other across the globe. It didn't take much time for Skype to turn into the chief leader in Internet voice communications worldwide, attracting more than 276 million registered users within less than four years of its launch. Skype crowned its success in September of 2005 when eBay Inc. purchased the company for $3.1 billion. Niklas served as Skype's CEO from its initiation until September 2007. Then, the partners changed the way people experience television when they co-founded Joost, an internet TV service and online video distribution service.
In 2009, Zennstrom re-joined the Skype board when his investment consortium bought Skype Technologies from eBay. In May 2011, Microsoft purchased Skype for $8.5 billion. It's been reported that Zennstrom and Friis made $1 billion each between the sales.
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Atomico
Zennstrom runs London-based Atomico, a firm that invests in fast-growing tech companies with the potential to transform their respective industries. Atomico has invested in over 50 companies spanning four continents, including Last.fm, Supercell, Fab, Rovio, and Skype.
Awards & Accolades
Zennstrom was named by "Time" Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2006. Also in 2006, he was voted Entrepreneur of the Year in the European Business Leaders Awards. In 2009, Niklas was awarded the KTH Great Prize by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology for displaying outstanding entrepreneurial and technological skills.
In 2011, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Oxford University's Oxford Internet Institute. In 2013, Zennstrom was awarded H.M. The King's Medal for his contributions to Swedish industry and society. In October 2013, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) awarded Niklas the gold medal for entrepreneurial achievements, leadership, and creative innovation.
Personal Life
Niklas is married to Catherine Zennstrom. The couple founded Zennstrom Philanthropies to raise funds and donate to causes like climate change and social entrepreneurship.
Apart from being an innovative businessman, Niklas loves to spend his time offshore racing, sailing, and skiing. Even though he is a Swedish citizen, he currently resides in London.
