The Founder of the Year award honors successful global founders who have built one or more strong private or public limited companies. It aims to spotlight these founders and inspire growth in medium to large-sized internationally expanding companies.
To honor founders across various stages of company development, the award has three categories: small, medium, and large companies.
The finalists have been assessed by the Founders Alliance Index, which takes into account past performance, future potential, and social benefits, and they have been evaluated by experienced founders.
In each of the three categories, a male and a female founder will receive The Growth Rings in gold, and the other top finalists will be acknowledged with silver awards for Founder of the Year.
Founder of the Year Small Size Companies
In the category Founder of the Year Small Size Companies are active founders of a private or public limited company with a revenue of approximately 2-10 million euro and at least 20% ownership in a profitable company, based on the fiscal year 2022.
The Finalists
Ulrika Hammarström, founder of Scandinavian CRO, Madelene Törnblom, founder of Maya Delorez, Malin Lindfors Speace, founder of Ethos, Abbe Elyounssi, founder of Public Clean, Fredrik Linnander, founder of Online Partner and Carl Berge, founder of Berge Group.
Founders Jury
The finalists have earlier introduced themselves and their companies to a jury consisting of Sofi Franzén, Emma Rozada, Vladimir Borisov, Kerstin Cooley, Monica Hedberg and on stage to present the winners - chair of the jury - Andrius Francas.
Founder of the Year Medium Size Companies
In the category Founder of the Year Medium Size Companies are active founders of a private or public limited company with a revenue of approximately 10-50 million euro with at least 20% ownership in a profitable company, based on the fiscal year 2022.
The Finalists
Wictor Bonde and Stefan Granqvist, founders of Interim Search, Ali Albazaz, founder of Inkitt, Ola Ehrstedt, founder of Great IT and Connected Skills, Johanna von Sydow, founder of Equestrian Stockholm, Catarina Dahlin, Founder of Dagsmejan Ventures and Johanna Deras and Therése Lorentzon, founders of PRO TEMPORE.
Founders Jury
The finalists have met with, and the winners are selected by the Founders Jury, consisting of Harshil Karia, Lilia Yeghiazaryan, Oliver Lagerström, and on stage to present the winners - chair of the jury - Linda Bjernstål.
Founder of the Year Large Size Companies
In the category Founder of the Year Large Size Companies are active founders of a private or public limited company with a revenue of more than 50 million euro with at least 20% ownership in a profitable company, based on the fiscal year 2022.
The Finalists
Pernilla Ramslöv, founder of NOX Consulting and co-owner of Nikita, Mikael Kretz and Håkan Paulsson, founders of QGroup, Henrik Sandell and Peter Hellgren, founders of Consid and Lior Shiff, founder of Tripledot Studios.
Founders Jury
The finalists have earlier introduced themselves and their companies to a jury consisting of Cecilia Ekholm, Shori Zand, Sven Hagströmer, Richard Romanowski, and on stage to present the winners - chair of the jury - Magnus Tegborg.
