Starfish of Sweden launches new subsidiary with mobility entrepreneur Mats Wihlbacka and accelerating commercialization.

Starfish of Sweden is taking the next step in its commercialization journey by establishing a new subsidiary together with entrepreneur Mats Wihlbacka, founder of Wihlbacka Mobility. The new company will focus on developing, producing, and commercializing Starfish’s pressure-relief technology for the wheelchair and mobility market.

The collaboration also marks the beginning of a broader strategic partnership between Starfish and Wihlbacka Mobility, covering product development, manufacturing, and international distribution.

This initiative comes at a time when Starfish has recently strengthened its position through both scientific validation and intellectual property advancements. The company has received a Notice of Allowance for its U.S. patent application, reinforcing its protection in a key global market, while a new study conducted in collaboration with Lund University shows that Starfish technology reduces skin temperature by an average of 7% compared to standard solutions.

– The mobility sector is one of the areas where Starfish technology can make the greatest impact. With scientific validation, strong IP protection, and the right partners in place, we are now taking a clear step from development to market, says Michael Hermansson, CEO of Starfish of Sweden.

25 years of experience in the mobility industry

Mats Wihlbacka is a well-established profile within the Swedish assistive technology and mobility sector. Through Wihlbacka Mobility, he has spent more than 25 years developing, producing, and launching advanced mobility solutions on a global scale.

He has successfully taken multiple products from concept to international markets and built a strong global network within the industry.

– Pressure ulcers remain a major and often underestimated problem globally. Starfish technology represents an innovation this market truly needs, with the potential to fundamentally change how we approach both pressure distribution and microclimate management. I am very excited to be part of bringing this to market, says Mats Wihlbacka.

A growing global market

The global market for mobility and assistive products is expanding rapidly, driven by an aging population and increasing demands for quality of life and independence.

At the same time, pressure ulcers remain one of the most common complications for individuals with limited mobility, representing a significant burden for healthcare systems worldwide.

Through the new company, Starfish and Wihlbacka aim to develop products that:

• reduce the risk of pressure ulcers
• improve comfort and microclimate
• enhance quality of life for users

Next steps for Starfish

The collaboration is part of Starfish’s broader strategy to establish its patented technology across multiple sectors where prolonged sitting or lying creates a risk of pressure injuries.

In addition to mobility, the company is actively developing solutions for:

• hospital mattresses
• operating tables
• intensive care and transport care
• rehabilitation and elderly care
• office furniture
• vehicle seating

Starfish and Wihlbacka see strong potential to initiate the first commercial engagements during the fourth quarter of 2026, with initial revenue streams expected to begin materializing as products reach the market.

– We are now seeing several parts of our strategy come together. The combination of scientific validation, strong IP protection, and commercial partnerships brings us closer to actual business and revenue, says Michael Hermansson.

About Starfish of Sweden

Starfish of Sweden is a Swedish medtech company developing patented technology to improve microclimate and pressure relief during prolonged sitting or lying. The company’s solutions aim to support the prevention of pressure ulcers and improve comfort across medical and mobility-related applications.

For further information, please contact:

Michael Hermansson
CEO, Starfish of Sweden
+46 707 29 41 00
michael.hermansson@starfishofsweden.com

Jim Roslund
Head of Communications, Starfish of Sweden
+46 70 149 93 10
jim.roslund@gingermanagement.se