Meet Måns Adler: Minc’s New Business Coach with a Vision for Innovation

‍

Måns Adler’s career has been anything but ordinary. From founding Bambuser, one of the first live-streaming platforms, to exploring the Internet of Things (IoT) in a university lab, Måns has always been a step ahead of the curve. Now, he joins Minc as a Business Coach, ready to inspire and guide startups through their journeys. 

‍

Who is Måns?

‍Welcome to Minc, Måns! Your career has been full of twists and turns. If you had to describe your professional journey in three words, what would they be?

‍

Seen a lot. I know that’s technically four words, but it fits! I’ve experienced the tech world from so many angles: founding a company, consulting for big organizations, and even dabbling in hardware. I’ve seen it all, and it’s been quite the ride.

‍

You founded Bambuser back in 2007, long before live-streaming became mainstream. What sparked that idea, and how did it feel to be ahead of the curve?

‍

Back then, smartphones were just starting to emerge, and live broadcasting from a phone wasn’t even a concept. It all started because every other media format had been democratized: blogging for text, Flickr for photos, and YouTube for video. Live streaming was the last frontier. With phones getting better cameras and the introduction of Wi-Fi, it hit me: "This little device has everything you need to broadcast live." 

‍

It felt incredible to be pioneering something so new, but being early also meant challenges. The ecosystem wasn’t ready yet, viewers weren’t there, and the tech was clunky. If I were to do it again, I’d aim for the second wave, when the users and technology are fully ready to embrace it.

‍
Joining Minc

What made you think, “Yes, Minc is where I want to be right now”? Was it the vibe, the mission, or something else entirely?

‍

Minc has always been on my radar. I’ve spent the last year and a half with a startup in Gothenburg, but I wanted to be closer to home and bike to work instead of commuting. The vibe here is amazing! The energy, the community, and the startups all coming together. It’s such a good landing spot for me to reconnect with the local ecosystem and see what’s happening.

‍

You’re stepping into a world of bold ideas and big dreams. If you could pick one thing to bring to the table for startups here, what would it be?

‍

Clarity. Startups often feel like they need to reinvent the wheel, but most of the time, the solutions are already there. You just need to assemble the puzzle pieces in the right way. I want to help startups focus on the core of what they’re trying to achieve, cutting through the noise to find practical, incremental changes that make a big difference over time.

‍

Let’s Talk Innovation

‍You’ve worked with cutting-edge tech like live streaming and IoT. What’s one emerging trend in tech that you think startups aren’t paying enough attention to yet?

‍

Autonomy is going to be a game-changer. As autonomous systems become more viable, everything from how we design cities to how we move goods and people will need a complete rethink. Imagine cities where we only need 20% of today’s cars because they can drive themselves—that changes everything, from urban planning to logistics. It’s a massive opportunity for startups to rethink processes and systems that have been the same for over a century. I’m excited to see how this unfolds in the coming years. Startups that crack this will be ahead of the curve.

‍

You have a strong background in design. What advice would you give to startups or entrepreneurs facing design challenges?

‍

Be humble. Design is about admitting you don’t have all the answers and staying open to learning. Start by deeply understanding the user’s needs and focus on simplicity. Also, prototype quickly! The sooner you bring your ideas to life, the faster you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t.

‍

If you were to design a dream experiment in your lab at Malmö University, what would you prototype next?

‍

I’d love to revisit the idea of fabrication labs but with today’s AI tools. Combining robotics with advanced object recognition could unlock so many possibilities for autonomous systems in manufacturing and beyond. It’s an exciting time to be exploring these intersections.

‍

Beyond the Job Title

‍What’s something about you that most people don’t know?

‍

I’m really into fishing. There’s something meditative about being out in nature, casting a line, and focusing on that moment. It’s a mix of peace and excitement. You never know when something might bite. It keeps me grounded.

‍

Imagine it’s five years from now, and you’re reflecting on your time at Minc. What’s the one thing you’d be proudest to say you helped accomplish?

‍

I’d be proud if I helped startups improve their products faster and with more purpose. It’s not just about success; it’s about the craft of making something that truly works. If more startups here can look back and say, “We built something meaningful,” that would be amazing.

‍

About Minc

At Minc, we believe in creating something bigger than yourself. We offer everything an entrepreneur needs to go from concept to market in-house. Our international network of advisors and award-winning programs will help your startup scale faster and smarter. Welcome to the startup house of Malmö.

‍