John Markus Lervik

Cognite AS

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

John Markus Lervik is the CEO of Cognite. He co-founded Cognite in January 2017, and under his leadership, the company has grown to a global industrial software company with locations in Europe, Asia, and the US. Cognite serves as a strategic technology partner for energy companies such as Aker BP, OMV, Wintershall Dea, and Saudi Aramco, helping them scale their digital transformation efforts with data-driven solutions that increase production, revamp maintenance routines, and boost sustainability initiatives. Throughout his career, John Markus has channeled his passion for liberating data and innovating with technology into companies that revolutionize the ways we work. He co-founded Fast Search & Transfer (FAST) in 1997 and served as CTO until Microsoft acquired the company in 2008. He then took the position of VP of Enterprise Search at Microsoft before leaving in 2010 to found the software company Cxense, which was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2014. John Markus was in 2005 recognized by Forbes as a member of the E-gang for his pioneering work in the technology sector. He was named Technology Leader of the Year at the Norwegian Tech Awards 2019, chosen by representatives from Norwegian industry, universities, governmental organizations, and professional associations.