In celebration of International Women's Day, we are spotlighting the achievements of successful women who are not only excelling in their fields but also inspiring others to follow their paths. This article is part of a series dedicated to influential female entrepreneurs, recognising their contributions and empowering the next generation. 

Nima Tisdall is the Operating Partner of Nordic Makers, an investment company focusing on early-stage tech ventures and startups. Tisdall created her first start-up at the age of just 16 and has been named one of the “100 most influential women in Denmark” by Berlingske, as well as being recognised on Forbes “30 under 30” list. 

Previously Nima Tisdall was also a co-founder of Blue Lobster, a platform designed to empower fishermen by facilitating direct sales to consumers and businesses, thereby ensuring fair pricing and fresh products. Nima embarked on her entrepreneurial journey with a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and a clear vision to address systemic inefficiencies in the seafood industry. Inspired by the hardships faced by small-scale fishermen who were struggling against industrial competitors, Tisdall and her business partner Christine Hebert, launched Blue Lobster as a digital marketplace. The approach was initially met with skepticism from traditional industry players, yet with persistence and clarity of their mission, the idea gradually won over both suppliers and consumers. Their innovative business model aligns closely with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, specifically focusing on conserving and sustainably using ocean resources​.

To gain an insider's perspective on the entrepreneurial journey, we spoke with Nima Tisdall about her experiences, the challenges she has faced, and the key lessons she has learned along the way. 

What were your biggest challenges when starting Blue Lobster, and how did you overcome them? 

Early on, we faced daunting prospects and resistance, but these hurdles were essential in refining our strategies and understanding market needs better. We started with a consumer-focused approach but quickly adapted to a more B2B model, significantly enhancing our impact and operational viability. This strategic pivot was supported by participation in the Accelerace accelerator program, which played a crucial role in development and scaling efforts. 

However, I would say that the biggest challenges we faced were entering a very traditional industry and attempting to change different aspects of it. With time, we overcame the original resistance as the people we were working with could see that we followed a set of principles and were able to be more cost-efficient in several aspects. 

How did you secure your first funding? 

In the early days, the journey of Blue Lobster began with a modest infusion of grant money and a daring foray into the arena of startup competitions. Our initial breakthrough in funding traced back to 2018 when we were honoured with a grant from CBS Startup. This early endorsement was more than financial; it was a vote of confidence in our vision, crucially sustaining us at a nascent stage. 

Our aspirations took a significant leap forward as we entered ClimateLaunchpad, the world's largest green business idea competition, supported by the European Union. This platform catapulted us into the limelight, endowing us with invaluable exposure and establishing our credibility within the tight-knit community of sustainable businesses. 

Who were the key people or networks that supported your journey? 

The key people who supported us were other entrepreneurs who believed in our vision. 

What advice would you give to young people who want to start their own business? 

To begin! It's crucial to engage with customers early on, even if it seems scary. Working closely with them from the outset helps prevent spending too much time developing in isolation, which often leads to missteps. Aim to create a first product that is both attractive and straightforward. This approach ensures that you build something that truly meets customer needs without overcomplicating features. 

What’s the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur? 

The feeling of creating something out of nothing. 

How your experience as a startup founder has influenced your role at Nordic Makers?

My experience as a startup founder has significantly influenced my role at Nordic Makers. It instills a deep sense of empathy; having walked a mile in their shoes, I fully understand the founders' journey—encompassing the risks, challenges, and exhilarating highs. At Nordic Makers, all partners are former entrepreneurs, and a shared trait among us is our resilience—we aren't easily daunted. We are well-acquainted with the rollercoaster nature of startups, having navigated similar paths ourselves. In times of crisis within our investments, we maintain composure, assisting founders in devising and following through on recovery strategies. Moreover, we engage with them as we would have preferred during our entrepreneurial days—providing straightforward, honest feedback, offering support where we bring the most value, and stepping back to let them execute their vision without interference.