Program (CET)
Registration, Networking Breakfast (optional)
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 room for the first Founders Group Session or Founders Growth Workshop.
Walk to Olli Ristorante
After a short 5-10 minutes walk, we all will gather for lunch at Olli Ristorante
Address: Olli Ristorante, Jakobsbergsgatan 21, Stockholm
Lunch at Ristorante Olli
Lunch at Restaurant Olli for all participants at the Founders World Summit.
Address: Olli Ristorante, Jakobsbergsgatan 21, Stockholm
Short Walk to the Next Session
After lunch, we’ll take a short walk to get some fresh air. It’s a 5–10 minute walk from Ristorante Olli to our next session at Convendum, Kungsgatan 9.
Morning Run or Walk
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 Berzelii Park 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.
Registration & Check-In for the Founders World Summit
Welcome to the Founders World Summit!
Upon arrival, please check in at the Registration Desk and log into the Summit App you received via text message. Be sure to save it to your mobile home screen to access your personal program.
We will be there to guide you every step of the way - from sessions to networking experiences - so you can make the most of your day at the Founders World Summit.
Let the inspiration begin!
Mastering Mergers & Acquisitions: Two Paths to Growth
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 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: 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, Denmark 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.
We start with a Coffee Mingle, please come in time. The workshop will start 09:45.
Next-Level Leadership: Harnessing Nature and Nurture for Growth with Neo Moreton
Neo Moreton is a meditating, business-creating Brit devoted to helping leaders access the wisdom within. With a lifelong passion for meaningful human connection, Neo facilitates experiences that unlock deep insights and elevate both personal and professional life.
This immersive workshop is designed for founders ready to reimagine their work as a path for transformation - where every challenge becomes an opportunity, and every moment is a catalyst for conscious growth.
Join us for a dynamic, 2-hour workshop designed for founders ready to scale their businesses or establish a robust succession plan. This session focuses on harmonizing your innate qualities - your nature - with the learned behaviors developed over time -your nurture.By becoming consciously aware of these leadership traits, you can navigate the path to next-level leadership with confidence and clarity. As you expand your business or prepare for transition, you face challenges that require visionary, creative, and collaborative approaches.
These challenges may highlight both visible and shadow elements of your personality. Understanding how to balance these traits is essential for fostering a sustainable business environment.
In this concise workshop, you will:
- Reflect on Leadership Origins: Gain insights into the inherent and learned traits that influence your leadership style, helping you leverage both nature and nurture.
- Awaken Conscious Leadership: Enhance awareness of your leadership behaviors, identifying supportive traits and addressing areas for growth.
- Strengthen Strategic Vision: Learn strategies for visionary and collaborative thinking that support business scaling and succession planning.
Prepare to engage with practical exercises and discussions that will equip you to make strategic decisions and strengthen your leadership. Elevate your capacity for impactful decisions that align with your business objectives. Unlock your next-level leadership potential in a condensed yet powerful session. Join us to lead your business confidently and effectively.
We start with a Coffee Mingle, please come in time. The workshop will start 09:45.
The Future of AI Workshop with Elin Elkehag Funk
The Future of AI, an exclusive workshop led by visionary founder and innovation strategist Elin Elkehag Funk. Designed for founders, this session dives into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the business landscape - and how you can harness it to drive business impact.
With experience as a tech founder, advisor to companies like Klarna and Axel Johnson, and CEO of Vinna Ventures, Elin brings a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on knowledge. She’ll guide you through the opportunities, challenges, and practical steps of integrating AI into your business strategy.
What to Expect:
- Where AI is heading: Key trends shaping the next 3–5 years
- Applied innovation: How to move from AI ideas to implementation
- Case studies: Lessons from companies embracing AI
- Responsible AI: Ethics, inclusion, and sustainable growth
- Interactive breakout sessions to apply insights to your own venture
Who is it for?
Forward-thinking founders, ready to embrace the AI-powered future and lead innovation with purpose.
We start with a Coffee Mingle, please come in time. The workshop will start 09:45.
Founders Planet Workshop in Collaboration with We Don't Have Time
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. This summit is co-created and 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.
- ESG for Founders by Malin Lindfors Speace, Founder of Ethos & Member of Founders Group 2.
- Scaling Sustainability: How Wayout is Revolutionizing Global Water Access with Ulf Stenerhag, founder of Wayout.
We start with a Coffee Mingle, please come in time. The workshop will start 09:45.
4th Female Founders Lunch Summit with Patricia Olby Kimondo & Niclas Carlsson
The Female Founders Summit kicks off at 12:00 - make sure to arrive early to register and find your seat!
A special lunch seminar where founders and community leaders come together for hands-on exchange on your own challenges and to drive positive change for female founders.
Led by Patricia Olby Kimondo, Founder of People Productions, and Niclas Carlsson, Founder & CEO of Founders Alliance, this event focuses on tackling the real challenges women founders face - especially those leading small and medium-sized companies.
Through research-based discussions and practical insights, we aim to build a more inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
By the power of collaboration, we unite experienced founders, industry experts, and advocates. These connections create a platform for sharing experiences, offering actionable insights, and developing strategies to overcome systemic barriers.
What to Expect:
- Deep, hands-on exploration of your own challenges and opportunities
- Inspiring keynotes and panel discussions with top founders and community leaders
- Networking with stakeholders committed to supporting women in entrepreneurship
Read more here: The 4th Female Founders Summit
Founders Lunch at the Berns Terrace
You're warmly invited to Founders Lunch for great conversations and networking with your peer founders at Berns Terrace at 12:00-12:45
Whether you're reconnecting or meeting new peer founders, this is a perfect moment to enjoy lunch and inspiring exchanges in a relaxed setting at the terrace.
Walk to the Next Activity
Now it's time to head to the next activity. Please be on time, the next workshop starts at 1 PM sharp. Check your personal program in the Founders World Summit App for details.
Consumer Goods & E-commerce Workshop: Arranged by Founders Group 6 and Moderated by Tomas Sundh
Exclusively for Founders building Consumer Goods & E-commerce Companies
Join peer consumer goods and e-commerce founders for a focused workshop designed to tackle the most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities in the Consumer Goods sector.
This offers a unique opportunity to interactive exchange of insights with peers who truly understand the complexity of building and scaling in today’s consumer landscape - from supply chain pressure and shifting customer behavior to digital growth and sustainability demands. Moderated by Tomas Sundh.
Why Join?
- Peer-to-peer problem solving with experienced consumer & e-com founders
- Deep-dive discussions shaped by your business needs
- Curated insights relevant to your stage, scale, and segment
- Hands-on exchange to walk away with actionable takeaways
Globalisation Workshop with Mebs Dossa & Jörgen Eriksson
As markets become increasingly interconnected, globalisation presents both vast opportunities and complex challenges for founders and companies seeking international growth.
In this thought-provoking workshop, Mebs Dossa and Jörgen Eriksson bring deep global expertise to help you navigate the strategic, legal, and operational dimensions of expanding across borders.
In this Workshop, you will:
- Explore global expansion strategies for founders and scale-ups
- Learn from case studies of cross-border success and failure
- Understand the legal, cultural, and regulatory landscape of internationalisation
- Gain practical advice on building sustainable global operations
- Exchange experiences with other globally-minded founders
This workshop is ideal for founders preparing to scale internationally or optimize existing global operations. Gain actionable insights from those who have successfully done it — and are ready to help you do the same.
Bridging Generations with Thomas Blendow
Bridging Generations – Sharing Wisdom, Vision, and New Perspectives
Exclusively for Founders and their Next Generation
Purpose
This workshop is designed to strengthen intergenerational dialogue and future-oriented thinking among founders and the emerging generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. Whether you're bringing a successor from your company or joining solo, the session offers a valuable opportunity to reflect, share, and co-create ideas with fellow founders – across generations.
Who It’s For
- Founders bringing the next generation from their companies (family members, emerging leaders, or potential successors)
- Founders without a next-gen participant are equally welcome – you’ll contribute valuable perspectives to others and gain insights into how fellow founders are preparing for the future
- All participants share a commitment to long-term thinking, impact, and legacy
Key Objectives
- Exchange knowledge and values across generations
- Explore what it means to lead and grow in today’s business landscape
- Support younger participants in discovering their leadership style and entrepreneurial voice
- Encourage founders to reflect on succession, legacy, and renewal
Core Topics
- Entrepreneurial Legacy – What do you want to leave behind, and what’s worth carrying forward?
- Next-Gen Leadership – What matters most to tomorrow’s leaders?
- Business with Purpose – Aligning values, sustainability, and innovation
- Future Readiness – Navigating change, technology, and complexity
- Courageous Conversations – Trust, transition, and what often goes unsaid
Agenda
12:45 – Registration and Check-In
Coffee and pastries are served at the tables during the workshop.
13:00 – Welcome & Introductions
Founders and next-gen participants introduce themselves.
13:15 – Session 1: What Drives Us
Story-sharing: Founders reflect on why they started their companies; next-gen participants share what excites or challenges them.
13:45 – Session 2: Exchange on Challenges & Success
Round Table discussions exploring engagement, growth, and transition between generations.
14:15 – Session 3: Co-Creating the Future
Teams design a visual representation of a future-ready company culture. What does the next generation need from the current one? Prepare and present your ideas.
14:45 – Final Reflections
What surprised or inspired us? What will we take forward? Each participant notes one key insight or commitment.
15:00 – Thank You & Transition to the Next Session
Founders Business Unit Meets & Coffee at The Berns Hotel Terrace
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.
Founders Boat Cruise - Stockholm Archipelago with Peder Asplund
Peder Asplund, Founder of Agapi Boating, welcomes us aboard for this relaxed and inspiring afternoon at sea, cruising through the stunning Stockholm Archipelago in great company of your peer founders.
Meeting Point: Hotel Diplomat, Strandvägen 7C, Stockholm
Meeting Time: 15:15 PM
We serve fresh coffee, pastries all while enjoying the serene beauty of Sweden’s most iconic waterscape.
Limited spots available.
Founders Awards Gala Drink
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
Founders Awards Gala
Register your participation at the Founders Awards Gala here: Founders Awards Gala.
Venue: Berns Hotel, The Ballroom, Berzelii Park, Stockholm