founder of the year

HONORARY AWARD
Patricia Olby Kimondo, Founder of the Year Honorary Award (2) (1)

patricia olby kimondo

FOUNDER OF THE YEAR HONORARY AWARD 2024

For over twenty years, Patricia has successfully led her company with a mission to revolutionize the Talent Sourcing Industry through innovative solutions. She advocates for women, particularly female founders, and works to improve their conditions worldwide. Her leadership and dedication make her a true changemaker, and we are honored to recognize her remarkable achievements with this award.

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founder of the year

HONORARY AWARD 2024
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SVEN HAGSTRÖMER FOUNDER OF THE YEAR 1 HONORARY AWARD copy (1)

sven hagströmer

FOUNDER OF THE YEAR HONORARY AWARD 2023

Sven Hagströmer, founder of Creades, received the Growth Rings in Gold as Founder of the Year Honorary Award for his lifelong work for entrepreneurship and social impact. 

"After following the award since its inception and admiring its recipients, I am truly proud and delighted to be a part of this exclusive circle", says Sven.

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founder of the year

HONORARY AWARD 2023
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THE
Frixos Papadolpolos, Founder of Fontana Food-2

frixos papadopoulos

FOUNDER OF THE YEAR HONORARY AWARD 2022

Frixos Papadopoulos was awarded with the Founder of the Year Honorary Award 2022 for his lifelong work in building up the family business Fontana Food. Frixos was celebrated together with his family at the Founders Awards Gala, Stockholm City Hall on September 22.

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the fontana family

A SUCCESSION SUCCESS STORY
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winners quotes

HONORARY AWARD 2021 & 2020
Over the years, I’ve received many awards, but this one is different. This award was given to me by my peers - other founders - and that makes it extra special.
DARKO PERVÁN
VÄLINGE
It is almost impossible to describe in words the gratitude and joy I felt when I received this award. For founders this award is worth its weight in gold.
CHRISTINA WAHLSTRÖM
MAMA MIA
It feels great fun, it's really an honor and a great recognition to receive this award. I also want thank you for the important work you do for founders.
MONICA LINDSTEDT
HEMFRID

founder of the year

HONORARY AWARD

APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP

Founder of the Year Honorary Award is Founders Alliance most prestigious accolade and is presented annually at the Founders Awards Gala.

By rewarding particularly successful founders who have made a long-lasting contribution, Founders Alliance wishes to inspire sustainable company building and other founders to act as similarly great role models.

Each year, the Founders Alliance nominates candidates for the award. Founder of the Year Honorary Award laureates receives The Growth Rings statuette and diploma at the annual Founders Awards Gala. 

CRITERIA - FOUNDER OF THE YEAR HONORARY AWARD

- has built a limited company with over 10 MEUR in annual sales

- has made a long-lasting contribution of sustainable company building

- has enhanced societal well being based on employment, tax revenue and community involvement

- is a role model for other founders, business and society no longer need to be operational

 

previous winners

A SELECTION OF AWARDED FOUNDERS
Darko Perván, founder Välinge, Founder of the Year Honorary Award

2021

DARKO PERVÁN

 Founder Välinge

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Christina Wahlström, Founder Mama Mia, Founder of the Year Honorary Award

2021

CHRISTINA WAHLSTRÖM

Founder Mama Mia

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Monica Lindstedt, founder Hemfrid, Founder of the Year Honorary Award

2020

MONICA LINDSTEDT

Founder Hemfrid

Founder of the Year Honorary Award, Gunnar Rylander founder Founder IBS, Catella och Rylanderska Stiftelsen.jpeg

2019

GUNNAR RYLANDER

Founder IBS, Catella och Rylanderska Stiftelsen

Founder of the Year Honorary Award Kristina Lindhe founder The Lexington Company (1)

2018

KRISTINA LINDHE

Founder The Lexington Company

Founder of the Year Honorara Award, Barbara Bergström, founder Internationella Engelska skolan

2017

BARBARA BERGSTRÖM

Founder Internationella Engelska Skolan

Founder of the Year Honorary Award, Carl Bennet

2017

CARL BENNET

Founder Carl Bennet Company

Founder of the Year Honorary Award, Gun Nowak, Founder FACE Stockholm

2016

GUN NOWAK

Founder FACE Stockholm

Founder of the Year Honorary Award, Rune Andersson Founder Mellby Gård

2016

RUNE ANDERSSON

Founder Mellby Gård

Founder of the Year Honorary Award, Margareta Jonsson founder Polarbröd

2015

MARGARETA JONSSON

Founder Polarbröd

Martin Gren, founder Axis Founder of the Year Honorary Award

2015

MARTIN GREN

Founder Axis

Founder of the Year Honorary Award, Björn & Lillemor Jakobson founder BabyBjörn

2014

BJÖRN & LILLEMOR JAKOBSON

Founders BabyBjörn

Founder of the year Honorary Award, Bengt Nilsson founder IFS

2014

BENGT NILSSON

Founder IFS

Founder of the Year Honorary Award, Anders Wall founder BeijerAlma

2013

ANDERS WALL

Founder Beijer Alma, Anders Wall Stiftelse

Founder of the Year Honorary Award 2013, Sten K Johnson - Midway Holding

2012

STEN K JOHNSON

Founder Midway Holding

Founder of the Year Honorary Award 2012, Signhild Arnegård Hansen - Svenska Lantchips

2011

SIGNHILD ARNEGÅRD HANSEN

Founder Svenska Lantchips

Founder of the Year Honorary Award 2010, Jonas af Jochnick, Oriflame

2010

JONAS AF JOCHNICK

Founder Oriflame

Founder of the Year Honorary Award 2009, Bicky Chakraborty Elite Hotels

2009

BICKY CHAKRABORTY

Founder Elite Hotels

Founder of the Year Honorary Award 2008, Ulla Lundevall Dustin

2008

ULLA LUNDEVALL

Founder Dustin

Founder of the Year Honorary Awards 2007, Sven Hagströmer Creades (1)

2007

SVEN HAGSTRÖMER

Founder Creades