21 | Svend Hardenberg / Qappik ApS: Exploring and exporting Greenland's Entrepreneurial Spirit

🎙️ From Ice to Innovation: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Svend Hardenberg

How do you build thriving businesses in one of the world’s most remote and challenging landscapes?

In this episode, we travel to Greenland to meet Svend Hardenberg—a serial entrepreneur whose ventures are as bold and unique as the landscapes he calls home. Growing up in Nuuk, in a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other, Svend developed resilience, creativity, and resourcefulness from an early age. With parents deeply involved in government, he also gained a rare perspective on policy and leadership that would later shape his entrepreneurial vision.

From launching a bottled water company that taps into Greenland’s pristine natural resources to roasting coffee with sustainability at its core, Svend’s story shows how innovation can thrive even in small, remote markets. We explore the highs and lows of entrepreneurship in a place with limited infrastructure and financing, and how these very constraints inspire ingenuity, new ideas, and a sense of community-driven purpose.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, adventurer, or someone looking to rethink business with intention, this episode offers inspiration, insight, and a fresh perspective on Greenland’s untapped potential.

🔑 In this episode, we talk about:

1. Building businesses in small, remote, and challenging markets
2. Using local resources creatively and sustainably
3. The value of community and cultural traditions in shaping entrepreneurship
4. Rethinking business models for long-term impact
5. Misconceptions about Greenland and its opportunities
6. The role of innovation in economic diversification
7. How unplanned travel and experiences can spark new ideas

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Even the smallest markets can nurture big ideas.
• Challenges can fuel creativity rather than limit it.
• Connecting deeply with your environment is a key to sustainable business.
• Greenland’s cultural traditions emphasise community, social connection, and resilience.
• Supporting local ecosystems and innovation is essential for long-term growth.
• Entrepreneurship can shape the future of a nation.

📍 Chapter Highlights:

00:00 – Introduction to Svend Hardenberg

03:52 – Growing Up in Greenland: Early Influences

09:18 – Entrepreneurial Ventures: From Water to Coffee

17:23 – Challenges and Opportunities in a Small Market

22:57 – Cultural Insights: Life and Traditions in Greenland

31:36 – Addressing Misconceptions: The Real Greenland

38:15 – The Future of Greenland: Economic Diversification

49:15 – Navigating Market Challenges

52:27 – Innovative Business Models for Success

57:35 – Supporting the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Greenland

01:01:45 – Cultural Insights and Travel Tips for Greenland

01:08:08 – The Future of Greenland's Economy

01:14:36 – Wishes for Greenland's Independence and Growth

💬 Sound Bites:

“We are hunters, we are not farmers.”

“We cherish social gatherings a lot.”

“We need to rethink the business model.”

“I want our country to succeed.”

🔗 Links & Resources:

Svend Hardenberg on LinkedIn

Kaffivík: Best Coffee Roastery and Café in Greenland

Imivik: Bottled water from Greenlands sacred water source

Qeqqu: Seaweed from Greenland (No website yet,)

🧡 Why You’ll Love This Episode:

This conversation is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t just about scale or speed—it’s about creativity, resilience, and purpose. Svend’s story shows how even in remote corners of the world and the smallest markets, innovation can flourish when you stay connected to your community, your environment, and your vision for a better future.

📣 Connect with Us:

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