Startup boards explained: Why most founders get governance wrong — and how great board work actually scales companies.

In this episode, Sara Almgren, co-founder of Deb (Diverse Executive Boards), breaks down how corporate governance really works in Sweden — and why many startups build a board of directors too early. Founders often create unnecessary complexity, blurred roles, and decision-making friction without realizing it.

Drawing on her experience recruiting boards, training future board members, and building Deb into a leading board education platform, Sara shares a clear and practical guide to effective board work — from early-stage advisory boards to fully structured governance.

In this conversation, we cover:

• ◆ When a startup actually needs a board of directors — and when it doesn’t
• ◆ Advisory board vs statutory board: key differences founders must understand
• ◆ The “three hats” governance problem in founder-led companies
• ◆ Why strong boards focus 80% on strategy and 20% on control
• ◆ How to design your first board intentionally
• ◆ The role of an independent chair in scaling companies
• ◆ AI in the boardroom: how technology is reshaping oversight and strategy
• ◆ Diversity and representation in Swedish boardrooms
• ◆ Why CEO–chair transparency is critical for growth

If you're a founder, CEO, operator, investor, or aspiring board member, this episode offers practical insights into startup governance, board structure, and how high-performing boards actually create long-term company value.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro
07:14 How Deb was founded
13:15 When founders should think about a board
14:06 Starting with an advisory board
15:02 Advisory board vs board of directors explained
16:10 The 80/20 strategy principle for boards
17:06 Designing your first board
17:48 Why an independent chair matters
20:22 Common founder board mistakes
21:10 The “three hats” governance problem
24:56 Defining roles: board vs management
28:01 AI and the future of board work
32:00 How CEOs should prepare for board meetings
33:13 CEO–chair transparency in practice
34:47 Burnout as a governance risk
35:47 What founders should expect from their board
38:01 Using advisors in early-stage companies
42:52 How to become a board member in Sweden
46:40 Swedish vs US governance models
58:40 Why board work is actually rewarding

Links

Sara Almgren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-almgren-90068290/
Deb: https://diverseexecutiveboards.com/