# Gustav Skarman

> Gustav Skarman is the Founder & CEO of Ariel, building AI-powered personal assistants. Machine Learning student at KTH, KSSS Executive Leadership Team member, and former military group leader.

Gustav Skarman is an entrepreneur and technologist based in Stockholm, Sweden. He is the Founder and CEO of Ariel (meet-ariel.com), a company building the future of AI-powered personal assistants with a custom agent orchestration framework.

Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Media Technology with a focus on Machine Learning at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH).

An avid sports enthusiast, Gustav has completed Vasaloppet (90km cross-country ski race) and marathons. He holds multiple maritime certifications including Coastal Yachtmaster Certificate.

## Current Positions

### Ariel
Founder & CEO (Mar 2024 - Present)
Building the best digital assistant in the world. AI-powered personal assistant that answers calls, manages calendars, and handles messages.

### EQT Ventures
Technical Intern (Jun 2025 - Dec 2025)
Part of the AI Team building agentic solutions at one of Europe's leading venture capital firms.

### Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS)
Executive Leadership Team & Camp Management (Aug 2018 - Present)
Sweden's largest and one of the world's oldest yacht clubs, founded in 1830. 7+ years of progressive leadership:
- Member of Executive Leadership Team (Ledningsgruppen) - Managing year-round operations including education, routines, and hiring of 200+ colleagues
- Member of Junior Committee (Juniorkommittén) - Responsible for Lökholmsregattan, promoting sustainability policy
- Instructor Camp Chief (Lägerchef) - Leading summer camp operations for 70+ children across multiple locations
- 2024: Promoted to Executive Leadership Team, received Instructor of the Year award from His Majesty the King
- 2022-2023: Instructor Group Chief, received Bengt Julins Vågskål award

### Öppet Hav AB
RIB Driver & Activity Leader (May 2024 - Present)
Event business hosting company events on land and water. Driving boats at speeds up to 60 knots in the Swedish Archipelago. Modeling for Helly Hansen in Fall 2024.

## Past Experience

### Swedish Armed Forces - F21 Norrbotten Wing
Airbase Security Soldier Group Leader (Sep 2022 - Jun 2023)
Completed conscript service as Group Leader at F21 in Luleå, Norrbotten.
- Training in psychology and physical factors for leadership
- Elected to represent the platoon
- Served in the Royal Guard protecting Swedish royalty
- Commander feedback: "Takes responsibility, clear leader, good reporting, wants to get better and takes initiative to improve operations."

### THS Armada
Career Fair Host (Oct 2023 - Nov 2023)
THS Armada arranges the largest career fair in Scandinavia at KTH. Over 12,000 engineering and architectural students visit to meet future employers.

## Projects
- [Ariel](https://meet-ariel.com): AI-powered personal assistant that answers calls, manages calendars, and handles messages - your 24/7 first-line defender

## Essays
- [Digital Leadership](https://namraks.com/essay/digital-leadership.md): A framework bridging traditional human leadership principles with AI agent system design

## Posts
- [It's All About the People!](https://namraks.com/post/its-all-about-the-people.md): Reflections on visiting Boston and San Francisco, and why Stockholm's startup ecosystem excels

## Interviews & Podcasts
- [Founder Lessons: Why stubbornness and 'not boiling the ocean' define success](https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SFBVhUdNUmbAdWqbDzqkf): The Founder Walk podcast - discussing competitive sailing, Iron Man-inspired vision, and founder mindset lessons

## Research
- [Master's Thesis](https://hhs.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/46SSOE_INST/hejhp1/alma991001677794906056): Research from Stockholm School of Economics

## Awards
- [KSSS Instructor of the Year 2024](https://www.ksss.se/nyheter/nyheter/2025/helly-hansen-ungdomspris-gar-till-gustav-skarman/): Presented by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at Grand Hôtel
- Bengt Julins Vågskål (2022): Awarded for proficient knowledge and good leadership

## Education
- Royal Institute of Technology (KTH): Master of Science in Machine Learning (2023 - Present)
- SSE Business Lab & KTH Innovation: Ideate Program (Oct 2023 - Jan 2024) - Entrepreneurship program forming teams to solve global challenges
- SAP: SAP NextGen Program (Apr 2024 - May 2024) - Selected participant in innovation program
- Stockholm School of Economics: Research collaboration (Master's Thesis)

## Certifications
- Coastal Yachtmaster Certificate
- Ship's Officers Class VIII (FB8)
- Small Powerboats & RIB Master

## Images
Photos of Gustav Skarman available for reference:
- [Profile Photo](https://namraks.com/images/profile-pic-crop.jpg): Professional headshot
- [Award Ceremony with the King](https://namraks.com/images/king-price-ceremony-high-quality.JPEG): Receiving KSSS Instructor of the Year 2024 from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf
- [Sailing Photo](https://namraks.com/images/sailing-photoshoot-best.jpg): Gustav sailing
- [Sailing at the Helm](https://namraks.com/images/sailing-photoshoot-steering.jpg): Steering a sailboat
- [Vasaloppet Finish](https://namraks.com/images/vasaloppet-finish.jpg): Completing the 90km cross-country ski race
- [Marathon Running](https://namraks.com/images/marathon-running.JPG): Competing in a marathon
- [Ariel Logo](https://namraks.com/images/ariel-logo.png): Logo for Ariel AI assistant

## Contact
- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavskarman/): Professional networking
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@gustavskarman): Video content
- [Email](mailto:g@namraks.com): Direct contact

## Optional
- [Archive](https://namraks.com/archive.md): Complete list of all content
- [Images Manifest](https://namraks.com/images.json): JSON list of all available images with descriptions
- [RSS Feed](https://namraks.com/feed.xml): Subscribe to updates