CEO Kristinn Aspelund has always had a strong interest in innovation. Together with Leifur Kristjánsson, he founded Ankeri in 2016, and this year the company celebrates its 10th anniversary. Ankeri develops software for shipping companies to manage their fleets, settle chartering costs, and handle emissions allowances. We at The New Business Venture Fund Kría asked Kristinn a few light-hearted questions to get to know him a little better.
What is your educational background?
"I hold an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a BSc in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from the University of Iceland."
When did you first get involved in innovation and why?
"I’ve pretty much always worked in innovation. Leifur, my friend and co-founder of Ankeri, and I were always up to something at school, including building and selling websites. My first real job in innovation, however, was a summer position in 1999 funded by the Icelandic Student Innovation Fund, where I worked in a pilot plant in South Africa producing raw materials for plastics from sugar instead of oil."
What were you doing before founding Ankeri?
"I worked at Marorka from the company's founding until 2016, when Leifur and I both left to establish Ankeri. For most of that time, I served as Sales and Marketing Director at Marorka."
Where did the idea for Ankeri come from and how has it evolved?
"The idea grew out of our work at Marorka, where we saw inconsistencies in decision-making within the shipping industry. Companies such as Marorka had access to large amounts of data and information that shipping companies were not fully utilizing when making major decisions, such as selecting vessels for specific trade routes."
If you weren't the CEO of Ankeri, what would you like to do?
"I imagine I would end up somewhere in an international environment where innovation played a central role."
What experience do you rely on most in your current role?
"Experience in sales is among the most important factors when growing an innovation company, because ultimately it is about getting products adopted and generating revenue. The world is changing rapidly these days. In an AI-driven world, imagination and the experience needed to ask the right questions may be more valuable than ever. For that, I probably draw on my entire experience bank."
What are your hobbies?
"I'm interested in a little bit of everything. I enjoy keeping up with what's happening in the world, whether it's international affairs, technology, the arts, or sports. I also make a point of prioritizing time with family and friends."
What is the most enjoyable thing you do?
"Being surrounded by good people — both at work and in my personal life."
And what do you find the most frustrating or intolerable?
"I try not to let things get under my skin, but I find dishonesty the hardest thing to deal with."
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
"Don't hesitate to ask questions or seek help. In the worst case, the answer is no and you're no worse off than if you hadn't asked at all."
