Rie Nørregaard
Founder SYP Middle East & Global Venture Partner

Rie Nørregaard is a multinational creative director, business leader, and award-winning designer from Copenhagen whose work explores the dynamic intersections between cultures, people, and ideas.

As founder of SYP Middle East, Rie leads transformative efforts across cultural and sociopolitical institutions in the region, equipping organizations and startups with the vision and conviction to catalyze systems-level change.

For over a decade, she has guided clients through the creative process, anchoring innovation and product development in compassion and inclusivity. Her extensive experience spans roles at leading brands and consultancies—including Nanit, Quirky, frog, and Smart Design—and as co-founder and CEO of the product development studio Omhu, where she advanced the principles of inclusive design. Her work has garnered international acclaim and numerous design awards.

Today, Rie advises design-led businesses, consumer product and tech startups, and international academic institutions. She currently serves on the External Review Board of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

Deeply influenced by Denmark’s design and architectural heritage, Rie channels this inspiration into projects grounded in inclusive and service-oriented design. She continues to expand her practice as a Master’s student in natural sciences and design at the University of Copenhagen.

Rie is actively exploring how creativity can nurture cultures of care—and how design can be a force for social transformation.