As 2024 comes to a close, we’re thrilled to look back on a year filled with innovation, collaboration, and transformative work.
This year we have greatly expanded our collaboration across the Middle East and North Africa, we have worked with a record number of emerging fund managers, 600+ people have gone through our VC Fund Manager Masterclass, we have worked with CEOs and boards leading large-scale transformation and we have expanded our work on ecosystems around the world (stay tuned for our latest research on scaling venture capital ecosystems in 2025).
In total, we worked in 22 countries during 2024.
We also celebrated the successes of our global network of trainers and partners while launching a new digital home to better connect with our growing community.
Join us as we highlight the milestones, moments, and missions that made 2024 an unforgettable chapter in the Strategy Tools journey—and as we set our sights on an even more impactful 2025.
Making Greater Impact Through Education
Education has always been at the heart of what we do, and this year was no exception. We strengthened our ongoing partnerships with Hult Ashridge and Newton Venture Program (LBS) in the UK, Duke University in the US and numerous business schools across Europe.
Adding to this stellar lineup, we partnered with IMD Business School in Switzerland. In September, we piloted the Fund Manager! Simulation as part of their Venture Capital Asset Manager program. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited about the potential to expand our collaboration in 2025, redefining how we teach venture capital and innovation management. Read more about our work with IMD here.
Welcoming Kyrre Lemvik to the Team
February 2024 saw a fantastic addition to our team — Kyrre Lemvik, who joined us to streamline business development and partner operations. Since then, Kyrre has been instrumental in facilitating simulations, supporting our clients, and driving key initiatives. His passion for collaboration and innovation has already made an impact, and we look forward to seeing his contributions amplify in the coming year. If you’re interested to explore a partnership or about any of Strategy Tools’ services, reach out to Kyrre at [email protected]
A New Digital Home: Launching Strategy Tools’ Website
In Q3 of 2024, we unveiled a brand-new website designed to make accessing our tools, programs, and resources easier than ever. Led by Adelina Manolache, this project was a labor of love, and we couldn’t be prouder of the results. With a clean design, intuitive navigation, and comprehensive resources, the new site has been a game-changer for how our community interacts with Strategy Tools.
Thank you for your patience during the upgrade process — we’ll continue improving the site to meet your needs in 2025 and beyond!
Expanding Our Collaborations in MENA
Our footprint in the MENA region grew significantly this year. We collaborated with DFDF in Dubai, Falak Startups and Tiye Angels in Egypt, Falak Innovation in Bahrain and many more. From developing angel investors, upskilling venture capital managers, accelerating startups, our work has been deeply rewarding.
The MENA region’s energy and innovation potential are unmatched, and we’re excited to build on this foundation with even greater engagement in 2025 and beyond. Watch this space for some great news in early 2025!
Celebrating Our Partner Successes
Our partners are the heart of Strategy Tools, and their successes inspire us daily. This year, we celebrated incredible milestones:
- Michael Badham and Stuart Morley in Canada achieved certification as Strategy Tools Master Trainers, driving transformative change in entrepreneurship education through the Scale Up! Simulation. Their work across venture capital and entrepreneurship in Canada is a great role model for other partners.
- Enrico Maset expanded his work in entrepreneurship education at Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences in Austria and ESCP Berlin.
- Suhail Algosaibi for spearheading our first-ever Scale Up! Masterclass in Bahrain and for returning as a meta-Master Trainer in this year’s Strategy Tools Master Trainer. Kudos, buddy!
To all our partners pushing boundaries and creating impact—thank you.
Scaling the 2X GP Accelerator Sprint: Bigger and Better
Our collaboration with 2X global entered into its 4th year, with a strong global expansion.
The 2X GP Sprint Accelerator program saw its third cohort, with a stellar, pan-African GP cohort.
Building on the lessons learned from previous cohorts, this year’s program was richer and more actionable than ever. We’re proud of the fund managers who have gone on to raise capital and successfully close funds, setting a new standard for the venture capital ecosystem.
In 2025, we expect to significantly expand our GP accelerator programs around the world.
Building the Venture Capital Ecosystem in the Western Balkans
This year, we had the privilege of delivering the Fund Manager Masterclass in Belgrade, bringing together a dynamic group of over 30 investment professionals, VCs, ecosystem representatives, business angels, and entrepreneurs from across the Western Balkans.
The training, implemented as part of the EBRD’s StarVenture Programme, was made possible through collaboration with Luxembourg’s Ministry of Finance (via the EBRD Small Business Impact Fund) and the EU’s Western Balkans Enterprise Development & Innovation Facility (EDIF) under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
We’re proud to support the Western Balkans in building stronger VC ecosystems and fostering sustainable entrepreneurial development.
Global Collaboration at the Strategy Tools Master Trainer Program
In September 2024, we hosted the 4th Strategy Tools Master Trainer Program in Stavanger, bringing together an exceptional group of trainers from across the globe. Participants joined us from Bahrain, Germany, Brazil, Austria, Canada, Malaysia, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Egypt, and Norway for an immersive week of learning, collaboration, and exploration.
Participants visited leading organizations such as Equinor and Nysnø Climate Investments, gaining insights into their strategic approaches to energy and sustainability. We also dived into Strategy Tools simulations, including Scale Up!, Fund Manager!, and Transform, equipping trainers with the knowledge and skills to drive impactful strategic transformations within their own networks and organizations.
This year’s program strengthened our global network of Strategy Tools-certified trainers and fostered invaluable connections among professionals dedicated to driving strategic transformation worldwide. Join us for 2025’s program. Sign up here.
Training Corporates for Change from Within
2024 marked a significant deepening of our collaboration with large corporations, as we partnered with industry leaders to drive transformative change from within.
One of our standout was with Norway’s largest bank, DNB, where we supported their efforts to elevate their startup advisory services. Using Strategy Tools’ frameworks, we worked to equip DNB’s Oppstart & Vekst team with the skills and methodologies needed to better guide startups through critical stages of growth, creating a stronger connection between the bank and the innovation ecosystem.
Another major highlight was our engagement with one of Europe’s top automobile manufacturers, where we used the Building the Transformational Company, and the Transform! Simulation to address challenges in transformation strategy. Through this hands-on approach, we trained their strategy team to explore new ways to navigate complex industry shifts, foster innovation, and adapt to the future of mobility.
These collaborations are part of our ongoing mission to enable corporations to embrace change, build resilience, and foster innovation. By leveraging tools like the Transform! Simulation and tailored training programs, we’re helping companies empower their teams, rethink strategy, and drive meaningful, sustainable impact from the inside out.
2024 was a remarkable year of growth and achievement for Strategy Tools. As we look toward 2025, we’re excited to continue helping leaders, ecosystems, and organizations solve their most complex challenges. To all our clients, partners, and friends — thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to building better futures together!