From Atheist to Catholicism in Silicon Valley w/ Sondre Rasch
Blog Version of Episode #4
Welcome back to Catholic Founders, the go-to space for Catholic entrepreneurs who want to integrate their faith and business fully.
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Today’s post is exciting! We’re diving into the journey of Sondre Rasch, founder of SafetyWing, a two-time Y Combinator alum, and a Catholic convert working in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Sondre’s story is packed with insight, covering his path from a secular upbringing to Catholicism, his entrepreneurial journey, and how faith has shaped his approach to business and ambition. We also discuss the intersection of Catholicism and technology, the cultural landscape of Silicon Valley, and practical ways Catholics can take back the culture.
From Norway to Silicon Valley
Sondre was born in Norway, and his entrepreneurial ambitions took shape early. By his early teens, he was fascinated by startups and technology, leading him to dream of moving to the Bay Area. Not only did he move to the Bay Area, both of the companies he founded were accepted into Y Combinator. (Superside is a freelance platform, and SafteyWing is insurance for digital nomads).
But his journey wasn't just about business. Along the way, he underwent a significant transformation in worldview—one that led him to Catholicism.
The Intellectual Journey to Faith
Raised in a lukewarm Lutheran environment, Sondre became disillusioned with the answers he received about faith and eventually embraced the New Atheist movement. However, upon moving to San Francisco in 2015, cracks began to form in his worldview.
One pivotal moment came while reading about how, when blindfolded, people tend to walk in circles. It sparked an insight: without a clear goal, we risk wandering aimlessly in life. This realization eventually led him to consider heaven as the ultimate destination and Christianity as the way to orient his life.
A turning point came when he met his wife, Joanna, who invited him to Mass at a Dominican parish. Unlike the emotional appeals of other churches, he found the intellectual rigor of Catholicism compelling. After deep study and reflection, he converted in 2019.
How Faith Transformed His Approach to Business
One of the most immediate changes after Sondre’s conversion was how he viewed honesty and integrity in business. During his early conversion period, he was pitching a seed round for SafetyWing when he had a moment of clarity: his pitch deck contained elements that, while standard in the industry, felt misleading. He completely restructured it, aligning it with a higher standard of truthfulness.
Beyond honesty, Catholicism reshaped his leadership. He embraced a perspective where employees are not just means to an end, but individuals with their own goals and dignity. His approach to ambition also shifted—moving away from self-serving ambition and toward responding to a calling.
The Catholic Advantage in Business
Sondre believes Catholic entrepreneurs have a distinct advantage, not because faith guarantees worldly success, but because it provides a framework for making sound, ethical decisions. Acting with integrity builds trust, which is invaluable in business.
He shared a compelling example from SafetyWing: during COVID-19, the company faced a crisis. Their insurance policy covered political evacuation, and when governments issued global travel warnings, all their customers technically qualified. Because of the nature of their product, once someone was evacuated, they were no longer customers. Despite the risk of financial collapse, they honored the policy. At the same time, their biggest competitor mishandled the situation, and as word on the street spread, SafetyWing grew 300% in just a few months. They grew because they did the right thing and doing the right thing led to continued trust in the product.
Catholicism in Silicon Valley
Despite its secular reputation, Silicon Valley is seeing a quiet revival of faith. While most of Sondre’s founder friends remain atheists, he’s found that they respond positively to his faith. There’s also a growing community of Christian founders—including a Y Combinator group that has exploded from a handful of members to hundreds. Even the President of Y Combinator, Gary Tan, is a vocal Christian.
Christianity’s status has risen in tech circles, partly as a reaction to cultural shifts. Figures like Peter Thiel have helped reframe faith as intellectually serious rather than outdated. It’s still a minority position, but the landscape is changing rapidly.
Techno-Optimism and Catholicism
As a tech entrepreneur, Sondre embraces a form of techno-optimism—believing that problems can be solved through innovation. However, he distinguishes between unchecked transhumanism and a Catholic view of human dignity. Technology should enhance human flourishing, not undermine fundamental truths about suffering, work, and mortality.
He sees Christian hope as a higher version of techno-optimism. While some seek immortality through technology, Catholicism offers true transcendence—eternal life in heaven. The challenge for Catholic technologists is ensuring that advancements align with moral principles.
Taking Back the Culture
How can Catholics reclaim the culture? Sondre draws from his business experience, emphasizing two key strategies:
Promote Christian Values – Just as startups constantly reinforce their culture, Catholics must repeatedly articulate and defend values like truth, beauty, goodness, and human dignity. This happens through media, community engagement, and living by example.
Remove Cultural Weeds – A thriving garden needs both cultivation and weeding. Similarly, Catholics should challenge destructive cultural norms while fostering positive alternatives.
On a practical level, he suggests getting involved in local politics. His own experience in city council taught him that many local leaders are ineffective—creating a major opportunity for competent, value-driven individuals to step up.
Discerning a Call to Ambition
For Catholics wrestling with ambition, Sondre offers this advice: if something keeps resurfacing—whether it’s starting a business, running for office, or writing a book—don’t ignore it. That persistent thought may be God calling you.
He also emphasizes the importance of structured discernment. Instead of waiting passively for a sign, analyze your skills, what the world needs, and where you can have the greatest impact. Above all, remember that ignoring your calling leads to restlessness—like Jonah running from Nineveh.
Final Thoughts
Sondre’s journey is a testament to how faith can sharpen—not hinder—our approach to business, leadership, and cultural influence. Whether it’s through ethical business practices, technological innovation, or civic engagement, Catholic founders have a powerful role to play in shaping the future.
So, if you’ve felt a tug to do something bigger, take it seriously. Reflect, pray, and then, most importantly, act.
If you enjoyed this blog, check out the full podcast episode. It really inspired me and I’m sure it will help you see things in a different light as well.
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God bless, and happy building!
~Silas Mähner