Early Life
Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson, known internationally as Thor Bjorgolfsson, was born in Reykjavík, Iceland. He is from a family with a rich legacy in Icelandic business and politics, with his great-grandfather being a pioneer in Icelandic business. From a young age, Bjorgolfsson displayed an entrepreneurial spirit, delivering newspapers and running a video rental service.
Rise to Success
Bjorgolfsson's business journey began in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. He co-founded Bravo Brewery, which became a leading brewery in Russia. In 2002, he sold Bravo to Heineken for $100 million. He then invested in telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and banking. He later became the largest shareholder in Landsbanki, Iceland's second-largest bank. Bjorgolfsson was ranked as the 249th-richest person in the world by Forbes magazine in 2007.
Key Business Strategies
Bjorgolfsson's success is attributed to his ability to identify opportunities in emerging markets and troubled companies, as well as his knack for choosing the right people. Through Novator Partners, he has invested in diverse sectors, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and technology, such as companies like Deliveroo, Monzo, Stripe, and Cazoo.
Philanthropy
Björgólfsson is known for supporting various charitable causes and organizations in Iceland and internationally. His philanthropic efforts demonstrate his commitment to giving back and supporting causes he believes in.