When it comes to building a company, be short-term impatient but long-term patient.

- Heini Zachariassen

From a basement in Copenhagen to a multimillion-dollar company in Silicon Valley.

​

This week, on the Global Denmark Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Heini Zachariassen; founder and board member of the world's largest online wine marketplace with over 35 million users, Vivino.

​

Listen to this insightful and fascinating conversation as we explore; how to disrupt a 6000-year-old wine industry, the keys to succeeding and growing a start-up, and how to successfully lead and retain global talent.

Episode Takeaways

  • Disrupting a 6000-year-old wine industry [02:08]

  • Introduction to the wine business [05:24]

  • The journey from a basement in Copenhagen to Silicon Valley [07:19]

  • The importance of data [09:38]

  • Building trust before becoming an eCommerce platform [12:54]

  • Attracting and getting investors [14:33]

  • Moving to San Fransico [17:44]

  • The Danish and American work mentality [19:53]

  • Factors for growing at scale [21:14]

  • Choosing the right people for the team [23:24]

  • Work with freedom under responsibility [25:48]

  • The shift away from being the CEO [27:32]

  • What it would take to get a Global Dane like Heini back to Denmark [32:00]

  • Daily routines to stay sharp [34:28]

  • Events that gave a leap forward and challenging personality trait [36:05]

  • Biggest motivator, demotivator and something weird about Heini [38:04]

  • Guiding principles and mentors [40:20]

  • Dinner party invites and book recommendations [42:16]

  • Lessons to and from Denmark, and closing comments [45:55]