Antler, the global early-stage VC enabling entrepreneurs to build and scale businesses around the world today announces the appointment of Ole Ruch as partner and board member.

Ole Ruch is the founder and managing partner at Nordstar where he works with portfolio companies and clients on growth strategy, taking active roles to help shape their future. Prior to that, Ruch was at WeWork from 2015-2020, as managing director and head of Asia, launching and overseeing the company’s expansion and operations in the region, before subsequently leading on WeWork’s global strategy. 

Prior to joining WeWork, Ruch - an active angel investor - has invested in and advised growth companies on their international operations and expansion. He served as managing director international at Airbnb, overseeing their markets in Northern Europe and Asia and, prior to that, was based in East-Asia and Russia managing international markets as VP international for Groupon. Ruch also serves on the board of Fredensborg AS, the third-largest residential owner-operator in Europe.

As part of Antler’s board, Ruch will focus on international expansion, strategic partnerships, and investment management. Ruch will bring invaluable operational experience and insight to the Antler team, particularly around scaling big organizations, building global platforms and crafting large partnerships.

Magnus Grimeland, founder and CEO of Antler, comments: “We are very excited to have Ole joining the team, and working with us globally to build on Antler’s work and expertise. I know Ole’s operational experience will prove invaluable to the Antler team and our portfolio companies. Not only does Ole bring a wealth of knowledge on growing businesses to global scale – which is exactly the aspiration we have for every single Antler portfolio company – but he is also an investor, and knows what to look for to cultivate best-in-class, category-defining companies.”

Ole Ruch, partner and board member at Antler, adds: “I am delighted to be joining the Antler team – and at such an important time. I have been impressed with how they have scaled their platform and the impact they are already having. I look forward to being a part of pushing this growth even further and helping our portfolio companies gain traction and scale. My relationship with Antler began as an early investor – because I believed in what the team was doing, and in the companies they were helping to build. So much so, in fact, that I wanted to take things a step further. Now, I cannot wait to work together on our mission: to enable and invest in the world's most exceptional people building the defining companies of tomorrow”.