Mikael Harstad
Mikael Harstad is a prominent serial entrepreneur and strategic investor within the European iGaming and digital media sectors. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Board for Gentoo Media and holds a key governance role as a Board Member for the B2B technology provider Gaming Innovation Group (GiG). With over a decade of experience in co-founding, advising, and scaling successful digital businesses, his current focus is on strategic leadership, investment, and driving innovation across his diverse portfolio, which includes positions at Legendz Casino, Sightic, and The Game Day.
Bio
Current Strategic Governance and Investments
Harstad’s most recent professional activities, starting from May 2024, have placed him at the helm of strategic governance. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for Gentoo Media. Shortly before that, in January 2024, he took on the role of Co-Investor in Legendz Casino.
His commitment to the B2B technology side of the industry is highlighted by his tenure as a Board Member for Gaming Innovation Group (GiG), a position he has held since May 2022. Further demonstrating his focus on high-level advisory and oversight, he has also been a Board Member at Sightic since May 2021 and a Co-Founder and advisor for The Game Day since May 2020.
Founding Roles and Executive Leadership
A foundational element of Harstad’s entrepreneurial career is his long-standing role as a Co-Founder of Optimizer Invest, a commitment that began in April 2013 and has continued for over 12 years. This investment vehicle has been instrumental in the creation and scaling of numerous successful digital enterprises.
Parallel to his early advisory roles, he also held an executive position as the Head of Product and Innovation for Crunchmill Advisors SL in the Málaga Area of Spain, a four-year tenure that ran from January 2015 to May 2019.
Prior Board Engagements and Professional Beginnings
Harstad’s strategic input into the iGaming affiliate space includes a period as a Board Member for Catena Media from May 2015 to May 2016. Earlier in his career, between 2013 and 2015, he contributed to the governance of various companies, holding Board Member positions at Consector AB, ZooZoocom AB, Reve AB, and Fashionisland Sverige AB.
The foundation of his professional life began in law. Following his education, he worked as an Associate at the prestigious law firm Mannheimer Swartling from November 2006 to February 2010.
This comprehensive career trajectory is supported by a robust legal education, including a Master’s degree in Commercial Law from the National University of Singapore (2005-2006) and a law degree (Jur. kand.) from Lund University (2002-2006).