We proudly present: The finalists for Founder of the Year 2021

Founder of the Year aims to draw attention to particularly successful founders and stimulate the growth of more medium-sized and large internationally expanding entrepreneurial companies.

The four categories within Founder of the Year are awarded to operationally active founders who have built one or more successful companies. The founders and their companies have been ranked based on the FA Index, which takes into account:

• Past performances - for example sales, profitability and growth
• Future potential - for example terms of ownership, international establishment and long-term perspective
• Societal benefits - for example employment, tax revenues and community involvement.

The finalists are:

In the 1st category of Founder of the Year active main founders participate with at least a 20% ownership share in a Swedish company with more than SEK 1 million in profit for the year and approximately SEK 20 - 50 million in turnover based on financial results in 2020.

• Monica Born, Superfront
• Rahel Belatchew, Belatchew Arkitekter
• Pierre Persson, MUD STUDIOS
• Carl-Johan Beckman, Kristian Johansson, Niklas Uddholm, Awave

In the 2nd category of Founder of the Year active main founders participate with at least a 20% ownership share in a Swedish company with more than SEK 2 million in profit for the year and approximately SEK 50 -100 million in turnover based on financial results in 2020.

• Maria Åkerberg, MARIA ÅKERBERG
• Johanna Deras & Therése Lorentzon, PRO TEMPORE
• Jónas Antonsson, Raw Fury
• Carl Hörberg, 84codes

In the 3rd category of Founder of the Year active main founders participate with at least a 20% ownership interest in a Swedish company with more than SEK 3 million in profit for the year and approximately SEK 100 - 500 million in turnover based on financial results in 2020.

• Pirkko T. Kyllönen, Språkservice Sverige
• Mikael Kretz & Håkan Paulsson, Qgroup
• Niklas Hedin, Centiro

In the 4th category of Founder of the Year, active main founders participate with at least a 20% ownership interest in a Swedish company with more than SEK 10 million in profit for the year and more than SEK 500 million in turnover based on financial results in 2020.

• Cecilia Ekholm, Särnmark Group 
• Johan Waller, Kristian Liljefors & Fredrik Palmgren, Business Wellness Group
• Magnus Wilhelmsson, Nordic Wellness Group/Sportlife

At the Founders Gala at Stockholm City Hall September 16 2021, Founders Alliance will be announcing the winners in each category, chosen by qualified founders acting as jury during the Founders' Gala, where they will receive the Growth Rings in Gold and Silver. The award is part of the Founders Awards.

Read more about Founders’ Gala and the finalists 

The Growth Rings

What all founders have in common is that they themselves are a seed that grows into a successful company. Just like the trees in a forest, founders are the most important organism in the ecosystem that creates growth in the world.

The symbol that pays tribute to these successful founders we call the Growth Rings.

“It starts as a seed in the founder’s mind. For it to grow strong, patience is required and real perseverance. During a company's development, strong years with good conditions alternate with meager and tough years without development. The Founders Awards annual growth rings symbolize this story”