Hello, I’m Gunnar Florus—an investor and board member who found my true north in Norway’s mountains. After two decades in global tech leadership, I chose to step away from the corporate fast track to pursue my passion for mountaineering and reconnect with what matters most—family and personal aspirations.
Ready for another day of great nature experiences – Gunnar Florus
My career has taken me from leading emerging technology initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia to establishing ventures in the Middle East. Despite the rewarding challenges of building a technology brokerage firm in Dubai and leading Cisco’s emerging technologies group across multiple continents, something was missing.
Recognising this, I decided to invest a full two years in a career break to explore my growing passion for mountaineering. This substantial investment of time evolved into something far more significant: a complete transformation in how I approach both work and life. When I returned to the business world, it was with a new perspective on what success and balance truly mean.
It was in Norway’s mountains that I found what I’d been seeking. From Europe’s largest mainland glacier near one of our houses to the challenging peaks of Jotunheimen, I’ve developed a deep connection with Norway’s alpine landscape. When I started this journey, I struggled with a paralysing fear of heights and a glaring lack of downhill skiing skills.
Face, meet tree!
Through systematic training and countless hours in the mountains, I’ve progressed to leading solo and team expeditions, glacier adventures and technical climbs across Norway’s mountain ranges.
My approach to mountaineering mirrors my business philosophy: thorough preparation, systematic skill development, and respect for the challenge ahead. This wasn’t a journey I took lightly. Working with professional guides and following a structured training programme, I built my skills from basic mountaineering to technical climbing and glacier exploration, always with clear goals and safety as the priority.
This transformed perspective now shapes every aspect of my life. Today, I selectively take on board positions and strategic advisory roles that align with my expertise in transformational growth and emerging technologies. This intentional scaling of professional commitments creates space for what matters most—my family remains at the centre of everything I do. After years of extensive travel, I’ve found a more sustainable rhythm that allows me to be present for my family while pursuing both professional and alpine challenges.
This website chronicles my journey from those first uncertain steps to technical climbs, sharing insights gained along the way. Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer, a business professional curious about alpine adventures, or someone just starting to explore the mountains, you might find the detailed expedition reports and practical insights here helpful.
