Mads Schmidt Petersen

For real, let me enlighten you about Mads Schmidt Petersen. This dude is the real deal in the startup world. So, he’s the CEO and cofounder of HippoBuild, a company that’s basically building the operating system for the construction biz. Think about it, small and medium construction companies, often stuck doing manual, clunky back-office stuff, Mads jumped into that mess, saw the chaos, and said, “Nope, we gotta automate this shit.” Now, HippoBuild’s been crushing it since day one, profitable since September, growing into Mexico, and hooking up with giants like Cemex and Otis. That’s not small fry.

But here’s the kicker, Mads is a YC alum from the Winter 2022 batch. That’s the hot club of startups that actually make it. And he’s not just riding the YC wave; he’s actively mentoring and advising other founders, plus consulting as a product expert at Tul. Dude’s all about product strategy, data-informed decisions, and growth. They call him the “Product Viking”, not just because he’s Scandinavian like that, but because he’s relentless in building and scaling startups, especially in B2B SaaS and fintech.

His process’s wild. Before HippoBuild, he was VP of Products at Greensill Latam, led innovation at Seguros Bolivar, managed at Latin Expansion Group, even took a shot as CEO of BitBrochure. Dude’s been around the block, always in the trenches, figuring out how to turn ideas into real companies that actually grow and make money. He’s no stranger to the grind, and his background in international business from Hult, plus a solid foundation in math and physics, shows he’s got brains to back up that hustle.

What’s super interesting is how his past screams motivation. He’s been in the game long enough to know that startups aren’t just about shiny tech, they’re about solving real pain points, making processes more fast, and building something that actually lasts. Starting HippoBuild wasn’t just about tech for tech’s sake; it was about fixing a huge, messy industry that’s crying out for innovation. And he did it, making it profitable, growing, partnering with industry titans. That’s a major sign of leadership.

Bottom line: Mads isn’t just another entrepreneur trying to chase the next shiny thing. He’s a builder, a strategist, a mentor, a proven leader. His story is about jumping into chaos, figuring shit out, and creating real value. The fact that he’s grown HippoBuild into a profitable, growing company with major partners shows he’s got the vision and the grit. No cap, this guy’s one of those founders who’s not just in it for the fame, he’s in it to actually change the game.