Marbella, Spain

Martin Wettergren — founder, investor and Marbella local

Building companies, communities and places people love to live.

For the last twenty years I've built startups, worked with global software companies and invested in businesses and real estate.

I co-founded Mediapilot in Stockholm and ran it for seven years before it merged with Whispr and sold. Today my work sits mostly in Marbella: Caterbee in foodtech, The Pool as a members' hub for founders and investors, and Soulhouse building villas on the coast. I enjoy connecting people, sharing what I've learned and documenting the journey — slowly, and in public.

More about me

Marbella

Thinking about moving to Marbella?

I moved here in 2018 and have written down everything I wish someone had told me — areas, schools, buying a house, tax, healthcare and what it actually costs.

Projects

All projects

Caterbee

2017 — present

A foodtech startup revolutionising business catering. Live since spring 2018, profitable from the start, and past 5M EUR in turnover.

The Pool Marbella

2022 — present

A private members' hub for founders, entrepreneurs and senior operators on the Costa del Sol. More than 60 nationalities, invitation-led membership, and a strict no-selling rule.

Soulhouse

2023 — present

A boutique real-estate venture in Marbella developing Scandinavian-designed luxury villas in the €3-9M range for international buyers.

Mediapilot

2006 — 2013

The company I started in Stockholm with Fredrik Båge. Built from zero with zero external capital and zero debt. 100+ clients, 100+ jobs, and two Gazelle awards.

Latest writing

All essays

Buying a house in Marbella: the process, the real costs, and the mistakes

How buying property here actually works, what it costs on top of the price, and what I learned taking a villa in Los Arqueros from plot to finished sale.

Marbella · 4 min

Cost of living in Marbella: what a family actually spends

The honest budget — housing, schools, healthcare, cars, food and the fixed costs nobody mentions until the second month.

Marbella · 2 min

Tax and residency in Spain for founders: what to sort out before you move

The 183-day rule, the Beckham regime, autónomo versus a Spanish company, and why your move date matters more than almost anything else.

Marbella · 2 min

Lifestyle

Why I stayed

Mountains in the morning, water in the afternoon, fire and long tables at night. Hiking, padel and tennis, boats and open sea, food cooked over wood, wine with people worth sitting down for. The work gets better when the life around it is good.