Start your day with an optional networking breakfast. Upon arrival, conveniently check in and register at the venue. Group rooms are ready for those who want to start early.

We will be gathering at Convendum Kungsgatan 9. Access your personalized program through the Founders World Summit App to find your location.Breakfast is served from 08:30. 

Ensure you arrive no later than 09:15 to easily locate the correct venue for the first Founders Group Session or Founders Growth Workshop.

Morning Session One with your Founders Group, or alternatively, for founders without a Founders Group, you participate in the Founders Growth Workshop.

Founders Growth Workshop

A general workshop to introduce founders to each other and dive deep into key areas of company development. The focus will be on exchange between participants' challenges and opportunities to scale and sustain businesses.

Each of you will receive input and share experiences of your growth, including your operative companies and other engagements (investments, impact, and ownership) with input from others.

Agenda

1. Short Intro and Welcome: The workshop facilitator will welcome participants and introduce the workshop, and act as the moderator to ensure a great exchange for all participants.

2. Participant Introductions and Input: Each participant will have time to introduce themselves and explain their number one challenge or opportunity for which they seek input from other founders.

3. General Exchange on Key Challenges: An exchange on the key challenges identified during the introductions.

Examples of Areas Covered in Earlier Founders Growth Workshops:

• How to lead distributed organisations including merged/acquired companies
• How to scale internationally and the role of the founder
• Other ownership and engagements, such as investments in other firms
• The business of doing good: our broader impact engagements within or outside our commercial companies
• New innovation and what keeps me happy with entrepreneurship as a means: personal balance, health.

Thank you, and get ready for Founders Lunch at 12:00. A few days before the workshop, you can also see updates in your personal Founders World Summit app on who is participating.

After a short 5-10 minutes walk, we all will gather for lunch at Restaurant Supper.

Address: Supper Stockholm, Sturegallerian, Stockholm

Lunch at Restaurant Supper for all participants at the Founders World Summit.

Address: Supper Stockholm, Sturegallerian, Stockholm

Walk to next session take 5-10 minutes

Session Two with your Founders Group, or alternatively, for founders without a Founders Group, you participate in the Founders Growth Workshop 

Founders Growth Workshop

A general workshop to introduce founders to each other and dive deep into key areas of company development. The focus will be on exchange between participants' challenges and opportunities to scale and sustain businesses.

Each of you will receive input and share experiences of your growth, including your operative companies and other engagements (investments, impact, and ownership) with input from others.

Agenda

1. Short Intro and Welcome: The workshop facilitator will welcome participants and introduce the workshop, and act as the moderator to ensure a great exchange for all participants.

2. Participant Introductions and Input: Each participant will have time to introduce themselves and explain their number one challenge or opportunity for which they seek input from other founders.

3. General Exchange on Key Challenges: An exchange on the key challenges identified during the introductions.

Examples of Areas Covered in Earlier Founders Growth Workshops:

• How to lead distributed organisations including merged/acquired companies
• How to scale internationally and the role of the founder
• Other ownership and engagements, such as investments in other firms
• The business of doing good: our broader impact engagements within or outside our commercial companies
• New innovation and what keeps me happy with entrepreneurship as a means: personal balance, health.

Thank you, and time for a coffee break. A few days before the workshop, you can also see updates in your personal Founders World Summit app on who is participating.

Session Three with your Founders Group, or alternatively, for founders without a Founders Group, you participate in the Founders Growth Workshop.

Founders Growth Workshop

A general workshop to introduce founders to each other and dive deep into key areas of company development. The focus will be on exchange between participants' challenges and opportunities to scale and sustain businesses.

Each of you will receive input and share experiences of your growth, including your operative companies and other engagements (investments, impact, and ownership) with input from others.

Agenda

1. Short Intro and Welcome: The workshop facilitator will welcome participants and introduce the workshop, and act as the moderator to ensure a great exchange for all participants.

2. Participant Introductions and Input: Each participant will have time to introduce themselves and explain their number one challenge or opportunity for which they seek input from other founders.

3. General Exchange on Key Challenges: An exchange on the key challenges identified during the introductions.

Examples of Areas Covered in Earlier Founders Growth Workshops:

• How to lead distributed organisations including merged/acquired companies
• How to scale internationally and the role of the founder
• Other ownership and engagements, such as investments in other firms
• The business of doing good: our broader impact engagements within or outside our commercial companies
• New innovation and what keeps me happy with entrepreneurship as a means: personal balance, health.

Thank you for today & welcome for the second day of Founders World Summit tomorrow.

A few days before the workshop, you can also see updates in your personal Founders World Summit app on who is participating.

We gather at the entrance of Berns Hotel in Berzelii Park for a refreshing start to the day. Whether you prefer a walk along Strandvägen by the water or a run through Djurgården, this is a great way to wake up, connect, and energize. We will take care of your bags, and you can shower at Berns Hotel afterward.

🌳 About Strandvägen & Djurgården

Strandvägen and Djurgården are among Stockholm’s most beloved green spaces, offering a perfect blend of nature, history, and culture. 

Strandvägen, with its grand waterfront boulevard, leads to the lush landscapes of Djurgården, once a royal hunting ground and now a tranquil retreat in the heart of the city. With scenic waterfront paths, lush forests, and iconic landmarks, this is the ideal setting for a rejuvenating morning walk or run before diving into the day ahead.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are more than just business transactions - they are strategic moves that shape industries, drive innovation, and create long-term value. Whether you are looking to expand your company, enter new markets, or enhance capabilities, M&A can be a powerful tool. But how do you navigate the complexities of deal-making, valuation, and post-merger integration successfully?

In this session, we explore two distinct yet highly successful approaches to M&A through real-world case studies:

🔹 LIWLIG – A Nordic event agency that has scaled rapidly by fully integrating acquired companies into a unified powerhouse.

🔹 Qgroup – A consulting and tech company that focus on entrepreneurial autonomy within its acquired businesses, creating a decentralized yet thriving ecosystem.

Sofi Franzén, co-founder & CEO of LIWLIG, and Mikael Kretz, co-founder of Qgroup, will share their M&A experiences, strategies, and lessons learned. Whether you're considering a structured integration or a decentralized acquisition model, this workshop will provide practical insights to help you shape your own M&A strategy.

Program

09:45-10:00  Case Study 1: LIWLIG – Scaling Through Full Integration with Sofi Franzén

10:00-10:15  Case Study 2: Qgroup – Focus on Autonomy Within an Acquired Ecosystem with Mikael Kretz

10:15-11:15 Round Table Workshops - you will participate in a roundtable workshop to discuss your own M&A challenges, moderated by moderated by experienced founders with expertise in mergers and acquisitions.

11:15-11:45 Key Conclusions - a brief summary of key findings from each roundtable discussion.

Case Study 1: LIWLIG – Scaling Through Full Integration

Co-Founder & CEO: Sofi Franzén

LIWLIG, a leading Nordic event agency, has strategically expanded through mergers and acquisitions, creating a powerhouse in the industry. By integrating top event agencies across Sweden, Finland, and Norway, LIWLIG has successfully built a unified organization with shared values, a strong company culture, and a streamlined operational structure.

Key Learnings from LIWLIG’s M&A Approach:

• Strategic Acquisition – Selecting companies that complement and enhance LIWLIG’s core expertise.
• Cultural Integration – Ensuring smooth transitions by aligning company values and leadership styles.
• Scalability & Efficiency – Leveraging M&A to expand service offerings and strengthen market presence.

LIWLIG’s journey highlights the power of full integration, where acquired companies become part of a larger, cohesive entity, enabling synergies, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Case Study 2: Qgroup – Focus on Autonomy Within an Acquired Ecosystem

Co-Founder: Mikael Kretz

Qgroup has taken a different approach to growth through acquisitions—focusing on entrepreneur-led companies and fostering autonomy rather than full integration. By acquiring independent tech and consulting firms while allowing them to maintain their unique identities, Qgroup has built a decentralized, high-performance ecosystem.

Key Learnings from Qgroup’s M&A Approach:

• Selective Acquisition – Choosing companies that align with Qgroup’s entrepreneurial philosophy.
• Decentralized Growth – Allowing acquired businesses to operate independently while benefiting from shared resources.
• Long-Term Value Creation – Prioritizing innovation and leadership retention over complete structural integration.

Qgroup’s model demonstrates how acquisitions can drive success without losing the entrepreneurial DNA, enabling companies to scale while preserving agility and creativity.

After the case studies, you will participate in a roundtable workshop to discuss your own M&A challenges, moderated by experienced founders with expertise in mergers and acquisitions. The session will conclude with a brief summary of key findings from each roundtable discussion.

Five speaker introductions on different aspects of growing 'Planet' companies for positive impact founders, each with a maximum of 8 minutes, will inspire roundtable discussions and the global stream of We Don't HaveTime. The session is moderated by Ingmar Rentzhog, Founder We Don't Have Time & Co-Leader of Founders Planet Quest.

Introductory speeches for roundtable discussions (participants will select their preferred roundtable upon registration):

• Leading the Energy Transition through Entrepreneurship by Joachim Karthäuser, Founder of Climeon and Zelk & Leader of Founders Planet Quest.
• Sustainable Infrastructure in the Nordics by Philip Ajina, Founder of Infranode & Member of Founders Group 2.
• ESG for Founders by Malin Lindfors Speace, Founder of Ethos & Member of Founders Group 2.
• Building Sustainability Companies in India and Beyond by Aticka Chona, Founder of GreenKarmas & Founders Ambassador Member.

Join us for a special lunch seminar where founders and community leaders come together to create positive change for women founders.

Led by Patricia Olby Kimondo, Founder of People Productions, and Niclas Carlsson, Founder & CEO of Founders Alliance, this event focuses on the challenges women founders face, especially in small and medium-sized businesses.

With research-based discussions and practical insights, we aim to build a more inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Through the power of collaboration, we bring together our network of experienced founders, industry experts, and advocates. These connections form a platform for sharing experiences, offering valuable insights, and developing effective strategies to overcome systemic barriers.

What to Expect:

• Inspiring keynotes and panel discussions with top founders and community leaders.
• Networking with stakeholders dedicated to supporting women in entrepreneurship.

Read more here: The 4th Women Founders Summit

In the afternoon we gather in the Berns Hotel Terrace for a dynamic session of networking, collaboration, and business growth. This is your chance to connect with peer founders, exchange insights, and explore opportunities to support each other.

Whether you are looking to solve challenges, find strategic partners, or identify common projects, this gathering is all about help one another and create real impact.

Join us at the Founders Awards Gala Drink to celebrate and raise a toast with your fellow founders. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy drinks, mingle, and connect with your peers. 

Venue: Berns Hotel, Berzelii, Stockholm

For more information: 24th Founders Awards Gala

Register your participation at the Founders Awards Gala here: Founders Awards Gala.

Venue: Berns Hotel, The Ballroom, Berzelii Park, Stockholm