A bit about me

The Product Viking

Hey there! Welcome to my corner of the internet. If you’re looking for someone who’s a bit unconventional, you’ve come to the right place. I’m Mads Schmidt Petersen, but you can call me the Product Viking. I hail from Denmark, but I haven’t called it home for over a decade. Instead, I’ve been hopping across the globe, solving tough problems, and having a blast while doing it.

↓

A Little Backstory

Growing up in Denmark, I was the quintessential oddball—bullied, friendless, and annoyingly weird. I loved math and science and had an overactive imagination that often got me into trouble. Changing schools was a turning point, and by high school, I reinvented myself as a bit of a ladies’ man. I even tried my hand at a startup, which failed spectacularly, but hey, failure is just another stepping stone, right?

The Crazy Adventures

Post-high school, I decided to go off the beaten path—literally. I ventured into the Siberian wilderness on a solo survival mission. It was insane, challenging, and totally awesome. From Siberia, I moved to London, where I met my beloved Angela and blitzed through my bachelor’s degree in under two years. I started another startup focused on blockchain and crypto but quickly pivoted to medtech after a taste of early success.

Professional Journey

My professional journey has been nothing short of eclectic. In Colombia, I collaborated with the founders of Rappi on product development, got married, and dived deep into corporate innovation. Leading product at a fintech, I witnessed firsthand the fallout when founders screwed their team out of stock options (yes, it happens). The company got acquired, and six months later, the acquiring company went under.

Consulting and Beyond

After that rollercoaster, I turned to consulting, helping startups and large companies alike to implement core banking software, launch fintech products, and structure efficient product teams. I also took on the role of Director at Founder Institute, mentoring over 40 startups.

HippoBuild and Y Combinator

Then came HippoBuild. Against all odds, we got into Y Combinator, restructured, and kept building. Now we’re profitable, and I’m, well, exhausted—but in a good way. I love helping others, which is why I offer free 15-minute product consulting sessions.

Family and New Beginnings

Life got even more exciting with the arrival of my two amazing kids. Seeking a new adventure and a great place to raise our family, we moved to Portugal. It’s been a fantastic journey, balancing family life with my professional endeavors.

Why Work with Me?

I’m a full-stack developer in training, data analyst nerd, product strategist, all-around problem solver and wannabe D&D Dungeon Master. I thrive on tackling hard problems and turning them into innovative solutions. Whether it’s B2B SaaS, fintech, or medtech, I bring a hands-on, data-driven approach to product management and team leadership.

Let's Connect

If you’re looking for someone who can bring strategic vision and impactful solutions to your organization, let's chat. I'm always up for new challenges and opportunities to create something amazing. Reach out to me at mads@hippo.build or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Here’s to building, innovating, and making a difference together!

Rappi Startup Unicorn a man with a mustache and a mustache on his face

Let’s work together

Get in touch