Winner of Founder of the Year Large Size Companies, Johanna Småros, founder of RELEX Solutions is reaching multiple Unicorn valuations without sacrificing her integrity, showing us what true ethical leadership is all about.

Johanna Småros, founder of RELEX Solutions received the Growth Rings in Gold for the global award Founder of the Year category Large Size Companies at the Founders Awards Gala held at Stockholm City Hall on September 22.

“I am very happy and proud of the award, it means a lot to me and my co-founders. This award recognizes the great company we’ve managed to build together with all our dedicated and talented employees across the world.”, says Johanna Småros.

The jury's motivation for Johanna Småros:

“The winner is a grounded and somewhat unconventional entrepreneur on an impressive journey to improve efficiency. Our winner has grown the business, reaching multiple Unicorn valuations without sacrificing her integrity, showing us what true ethical leadership is all about.”

Johanna Småros founded RELEX Solutions in 2005 together with Mikko Kärkkäinen and Michael Falck. The company is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland and has offices in 11 European countries, the United States, Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong, and clients in more than 30 countries. 

RELEX Solutions helps retailers and brands drive profitable growth across all sales and distribution channels by maximizing customer satisfaction, minimizing operating costs, and improving sustainability in a rapidly changing market. RELEX Solutions strives to be a good company by delivering measurable value to its clients, treating customers and colleagues as friends, managing its finances prudently, fulfilling its responsibilities to local communities, and investing in carbon neutrality.

Johannas driving force is solving relevant problems and delivering measurable value to their clients.

The finalists have earlier introduced themselves and their companies to a jury of qualified global founders consisting of: Chairman of the jury Johan Ihrfelt - Peas Industries, incl OX2, Cecilia Ekholm - Särnmark Group, Shori Zand - Avesina Group, Sven Hagströmer - Creades, Björn Öste - Aventure, Good Idea, Oatly and Richard Romanowski - eleXsys Energy, Planet Ark.

Foto: Jean Lapin, www.jeanlapin.com

Founder of the Year

Founder of the Year is Founders Alliance's main award, and aims to draw attention to and highlight global large scale founders who own and operate sustainable companies, and thus stimulate more medium-sized and large internationally expanding companies.

The founders and their companies are ranked based on the Founders Alliance (FA) Index, which takes into account past performances, future potential and societal achievements.

To pay attention to the highest performing founders in several company development phases, and to highlight female and male winners, Founder of the Year is awarded to male and female founders in three categories based on financial results the year prior.

In the category Founders of Large Size Companies are active founders of a company with a revenue of more than 50 MEUR with at least 20% ownership in a profitable company.