After appointing new CEO, CFO and Deputy CEO this year, Gilion appoints Lidia Oshlyansky as Chief Product Officer

Stockholm-based Gilion (formerly Ark Kapital), a growth and lending platform, announced that it has appointed Lidia Oshlyansky as its new Chief Product Officer (CPO).

With over 25 years of experience in product development, user experience, research, and design, Oshlyansky will contribute her expertise to support Gilion’s mission of creating the world’s largest Growth Platform for founders.

Newly appointed CPO, Oshlyansky, says, “I am thrilled to join a company that is not only leading in its field but is also deeply committed to fostering innovation and growth. Gilion’s vision of empowering businesses to reach their full potential through strategic funding and actionable insights resonates with my passion for building products that make a real difference.”

“I’m eager to collaborate with this talented team to develop solutions that help entrepreneurs and fundamentally change how growth funding is done today and thereby contribute to the broader tech ecosystem.”

Oshlyansky’s appointment as CPO is a new phase for Gilion as it solidifies its leadership in the growth and funding sector. Her leadership will be pivotal in guiding the platform’s future, keeping Gilion at the forefront of industry innovations and consistently providing exceptional value to its users.

Who is Lidia Oshlyansky?

Lidia Oshlyansky joined Gilion after a successful role as Chief Product Officer at the insurtech company ManyPets and Fintech startup Dreams. Her career includes leading product and UX initiatives at major tech firms like Spotify, Google, and Schibsted Media Group. 

Oshlyansky’s expertise lies in combining “technical excellence” with a deep understanding of user needs, driving product success across different industries. 

She has also served as an Advisor and Non-Executive Director for companies like Mathem.se and Insurello and remains active as an NED and Product Advisor, reflecting her ongoing commitment to the broader tech ecosystem.

Henrik Landgren, co-founder and Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO) at Gilion, says, “Bringing Lidia on board is not just about adding another seasoned executive to our leadership; it’s about setting the stage for the next phase of growth and development at Gilion.”

“Her exceptional track record speaks for itself—Lidia has built products that resonate with users but has also driven them to scale in ways that change industries. Our growth analytics platform is vital to our business, so finding the right leader has been essential.”

“We sought someone who excels in agile product development and leads with a human touch. With Lidia, we’ve found the perfect blend of innovation and empathy, making her the ideal leader to drive our vision forward.”

Oshlyansky started her career in social work after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She later moved into the tech industry, where she pursued a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from UCL and Swansea University. 

This diverse background has been crucial to her methodology in developing products that are user-focused, scalable, and impactful.

Recent appointments

Earlier this year, Gilion appointed Oscar Werner as its new CEO, succeeding co-founder and CEO Oliver Hildebrandt. Prior to joining Gilion, Werner was the CEO of Sinch, a communication platform and service.

“We’ve reached a stage where we need a master scaler. Oscar scaled Sinch to one of Europe’s most successful technology companies alongside other Swedish stars such as Klarna and Spotify, and is one of the most prominent tech CEOs from our region”, says Oliver Hildebrandt, co-founder and operating Chairman of the Board at Gilion. 

“As a founder and serial entrepreneur, I can’t think of anyone more suited to take on the role of CEO and guide Gilion towards becoming a global leader in transforming funding and growth forecasting for both tech companies and its investors,” adds Hildebrandt.

In June 2024, Gilion appointed Andreas Hedlund as its new CFO and Deputy CEO. Hedlund has over 20 years of experience in private equity and leveraged finance. Prior to his new role, Hedlund was the Head of Leveraged Finance Sweden at Danske Bank and also worked at Trill Impact.

Brief about Gilion

Gilion aims to transform the growth journey for founders with its growth loans and advanced forecasting tools. Launched in 2021, the company was established by serial entrepreneur Oliver Hildebrandt, veteran banker Axel Bruzelius, former Spotify VP of Analytics Henrik Landgren, and former EQT Ventures partner Henrik Landgren. 

The firm operates in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Germany, and is supported by investors including LocalGlobe, Creandum, and notable figures like John McCormick, Annika Falkengren, Andrew Konopelski, and several unicorn founders such as Hjalmar Winbladh of Epidemic Sound and Jacob De Geer of iZettle.