Camplight

I’m part of the Partner Success team and my whole focus is getting our partners from 0 to 1.

But apart from that I’m co-creating a software cooperative that wants to evolve human collaboration while growing with 36% CAGR since 2012 🫶 

Partners vary from small startups to enterprise scale-ups. 

By collaborating on different camplight initiatives, I've gained expertise in the leadership of participatory, innovative, business-critical, and digital transformations, focusing on Fintech, Edutech, and Healthtech, among other industries.

I got the benefit of experiencing XXX k€/year budget responsibilities and multi-stakeholder collaborations.

I've participated in co-scaling camplight from 5 people to 21 and in most critical initiatives as a bootstrapped self-managing organization and community operating with X m€/year

Co-Owner & Venture Builder

VMware

R&D for new company product using VMware SDK 5.5, ReactJS (with flux), ImmutableJS, GulpJS, LESS  and BabelJS

Software Developer

Creating value with startup consulting, leadership, growth hacking, sales and helping to build open, transparent, decentralized, distributed lifestyle software company :)

Camplighter

Game Craft

Crafting game experiences :)

Entrepreneurship (interaction design, zero marketing, lead dev, sales dev, project management, team leader & everything in between and what's necessary O_o). 

Running my first democratic startup & pioneering with gamification consulting in the Balkan region :)

Craftsman

Melon, Inc.

Development of flash applications both on web and desktop platforms. Learning how to write my first production-grade code

Flash/Flex developer

XS Software

Main activities and responsibilities	

Balance, improve and optimize game tables for quality experience.
Write Game design documentation for future projects.
Interaction design of game mechanics.
Review existing games of rival companies.
Communicating with other team members on daily basis.
Design and integrate new features and mechanics.
Research new technologies available on the market.

Game Designer

>> I'm a fanatic about high-performing teams, not individuals.

What can I help you  with (through my Camplight & my fractional‑CTO practice)

> AI‑Powered Digital Transformation – From rapid GenAI prototypes to enterprise‑grade roll‑outs that move $1B bottom lines.

> Venture‑Building as a Service – Cross‑functional “camplight” squads that design, ship, and scale new products—fast.

> Fractional CTO Leadership – Strategic tech stewardship for startups and scale‑ups without the full‑time overhead.

> Mindful Team Coaching – Burnout‑proof operating systems and decision‑making models for boss‑less, high‑trust cultures.

How I Got Here (the short version)

I bootstrapped my first studio, building gamified products, then drove it into the ground through sheer hustle and zero alignment. The resulting burnout forced a hard reset: work had to become a path to enlightenment, not a treadmill.

That quest led me to cooperative ownership at Camplight, where we build tech the same way we live—collaboratively, transparently, and with skin in the game. I’ve since:

> Led multiple 7‑figure digital‑transformation programs in FinTech, EduTech & HealthTech.

> Embedded AI/ML solutions that quietly power nine‑digit revenues.

> Mentored dozens of product squads, turning chaotic sprints into enlightened shipping rituals.

Today I call myself a fractional CTO & digital shaman (IG: @the.digital.shaman)—equal parts architect, facilitator, and catalyst for change. 

If you’re ready to fuse technology with a more human way of working, let’s talk.

Vitaliy Filipov 🧘‍♂️

Grade

Board Member

Oanæs & Co AS

Privately held executive consulting and business development company based in Norway. International business consulting, board advisory, expert translation services from the following languages: English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and French, Start-up and location advisory for Scandinavia, and investments.

Owner/Executive Advisor  at Oanæs & Co AS

Hassel International AS

International business consulting towards various industries and businesses like Daloc (Secor) AB, Jachtbout Success B.V., Wayne's Coffee Sverige (HK), Max Hamburgerrestauranger AB, Magnusson AS etc. Accounting services and CFO for hire. Lecturer (export, marketing and business courses at Innovasjon Norge and University of Oslo etc.) from 2005-present. Investments in other companies. Merged with Oanæs & Co AS in December 2021.

Owner

Grade Varbi

Founder of Varbi (ATS),(originally MyNetwork AS). An online recruitment tool that makes it possible to handle recruitment processes, advertise and search for candidates in our open community with more than 2,5 million professionals in Scandinavia and/or selected job boards.

As a company user of Varbi Recruit it is possible for a recruiter to get a professional career site on the company homepage, attract talent and make selections, communicate, and archive information about candidates. As of today Varbi Recruit is used on a daily basis by 550 customers and 55.000 professional users. More than 2.000.000 applications were passing through the system in 2020. 

Varbi Recriut is a modern and effective tool, offering a wider service towards large corporations as well as opening up for smaller businesses to afford a recruitment tool. The solution also offers modules for faculty recruitment within higher ed where Varbi is the leading vendor in northern Europe. 

The tool is available for companies, and organizations located anywhere, operating in more than ten markets today together with both local and international customers.

Welcome to visit our website www.varbi.com!

Online recruitment tool: 
- Dialogue recruiting (dialogrekruttering)
- Competence relationship management
- No limit advertising
- Recruitment project tool
- Sign up/enrollment tool
- Specialized tool for universities
- No limit candidate search tool
- Scholarship application tool for education
- On-boarding

In August 2021 the Norwegian software investor Viking Venture acquired Varbi AS and Varbi AB.

Founder and chairman

Fluidigm Corporation

In January 2020 InstruNor AS was acquired by Fluidigm Corporation. Worked with all major functions within Fluidigm to transfer InstruNor to Fluidigm. After transition finish in October 2020, continuing as a consultant for six months via own company, through March 2021.

Fluidigm Corporation (Nasdaq: FLDM), an innovative biotechnology tools provider with a vision to improve life through comprehensive health insight.

Senior Director of Product Management

InstruNor AS

InstruNor specializes in instruments for Flow Cytometry laboratories and research labs. Based in London, UK between August 2013 and August 2014 as International Sales Director. In January 2020 Fluidigm Corporation acquired InstruNor AS.

Managing director

FitnessRoom Sandvika AS

The FitnessRoom concept is about affordable training on your own terms, knowledgeable staff and delicate design, suited for everyone.

Chairman

Job Academy AS

Staffing and recruiting company in Norway founded by John-Erik Hassel and Ms. Stine Fjeld. The company focuses on university students and newly graduated academics. Job Academy AS was acquired by StudentWork Sharper Oy in June 2012.

Varbi Jobs

MyNetwork offers an online community recruitment tool. The company has offices in Norway and Sweden, and the tool is available in five languages.

Founder/Owner/Managing director

Scandinavian Appliances AS

In charge of sales, marketing and customer service to appr. ten foreign markets.

Export Manager

I help firms grow their business | Serial entrepreneur (3 x exit) | Entrepreneurship researcher & lecturer | Board member | Consultant

I have twenty-five years of experience in growing businesses from scratch to international presence. As a consultant, as a corporate professional, and as a founder. 

I co-founded three businesses within HR-tech and Med tech, that was acquired by either industry actors or private equity firms. 

It has allowed me to take a four-year break to pursue PhD studies on venture builders and entrepreneurial support. 

Being an entrepreneurial spirit however never leaves you, and while in my last year of my studies I am now returning to my roots as a founder launching a venture studio with a core team of academic and business professionals. 

As every day has 24 hours, I still have time to work with exceptional entrepreneurs and give lectures and talks on entrepreneurship. 

Talk to me about: 

➡️ How to launch a start-up
➡️ How to organize a new firm
➡️ How to develop growth strategies
➡️ How to work with internationalization
➡️ How to prepare for exit

DM me if interested in working with me.

_______

Said about me:

“John Erik has been an invaluable asset in my entrepreneurial journey as a founder and CEO. His support, both morally and strategically, has played a pivotal role in the growth of my business. From the moment we started working together a year ago, John Erik provided the encouragement and advice that helped me navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship with confidence and determination. What truly sets John Erik apart is his ability to offer strategic advice that hits the mark. His insights have helped me shape my company's structure, envision long-term strategies, and lay a solid foundation for future growth and scaling. He's not just an advisor; he's a visionary mentor who understands the intricacies of business growth. I highly recommend John Erik as an advisor and board member, particularly for matters related to growth, scaling, fundraising, and corporate transactions. His expertise and commitment to your success are unparalleled.»
- Raja Skogland, CEO theVisionary Co

"John-Erik supported us when I was raising a new round for Yayloh and putting in place more structure in the company. He is really sharp and will help you see what you don't, when running your business daily. In our case it led us to taking decisions to improve our business performance. I can recommend John-Erik to any founder who wants to assess the business in a very objective manner and get new routines and processes in place to achieve growth and profitability." 
– Sophie Aubard, Founder of Yayloh

John-Erik Hassel

Bridging Academic Insight and Practical Innovation in Startup Creation 💡

I wish to share the call for submissions for an upcoming Symposium on Venture Builders at Wolfson College Cambridge. 

This blended academic-practitioner symposium invites submissions that advance understanding of the Venture Builder model: its structures, impacts, challenges, and opportunities. 

This symposium is a great opportunity for anyone (both academics and practitioners) interested in venture builders, venture creation, innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurial support models, and the future of academic-led startups. 

I’d be grateful for your support in helping this reach potential contributors.

Follow link in comments for more information!

👇
Key Dates
Submission Deadline: 31 Jan 2026
Notification of Acceptance: 28 Feb 2026
Symposium Date: 30 Apr 2026

Join the discussion! Register now!

#VentureBuilders #VentureStudios #Entrepreneurship #WolfsonCollegeCambridge #Symposium

PhD | Venture builder researcher | Serial entrepreneur | Board member

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Vitaliy Filipov 🧘‍♂️

John-Erik Hassel

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taplio

The Battle

Vitaliy Filipov 🧘‍♂️

John-Erik Hassel

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Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}John-Erik Hassel's LinkedIn Performance

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