Stockholm, January 22, 2026
From First Winner to Jury Chair: Erik Fjellborg Leads Young Founder of the Year 2026 as Founders Alliance Celebrates 25 Years
Founders Alliance is celebrating 25 years of entrepreneurship, honoring the bold ideas and ambitious founders who have shaped industries across Sweden and beyond. Since 2007, the Young Founder of the Year award has recognized over 80 young founders, and today, more than 80% of winners are still active, most of them still leading their own companies.
The very first winner, Erik Fjellborg, returns in 2026 as Chair of the Jury for Young Founder of the Year. Erik’s entrepreneurial journey began at 18 when he noticed a problem while working shifts at McDonald’s and founded Quinyx - a global platform for digital workforce management now used by over 1.5 million employees across Europe and the United States, and generating more than 500 million sek in revenue.
"The Young Founder of the Year award is about celebrating founders who keep building, learning, and leading," said Niclas Carlsson, Founder & CEO of Founders Alliance. "Erik’s story shows exactly why this recognition matters: he turned a simple observation into a global, billion-valued company. This award honors that same courage and impact in every generation of young founders."
OVER 80 FOUNDERS, 25 YEARS OF IMPACT
From tech and SaaS to wellness, sustainability, and fashion, the Young Founder of the Year winners have built thriving companies, created jobs, and inspired new waves of entrepreneurship. Today, more than 85% are still active, showing that the award isn’t just about ideas - it’s about founders who last.
YOUNG FOUNDER OF THE YEAR WINNERS 2007-2025
Founders are listed below together with the company they represented at the time of the award.
2007 – Erik Fjellborg, Quinyx
2008 – Philip Lindblom, Virtual Consulting
2009 – Ida Backlund, Rapunzel of Sweden
2009 – Viktor Nord, Sverige Norge
2009 – Mattias Tyrberg, Saplo
2009 – Marcus Anzengruber, Constant
2010 – Jonas Hombert, Jaycut
2010 – Victor Hillebjörk & Filip Hammarberg, Glad Reklam
2010 – Thomas Jönsson, REHIFI.se
2010 – Mikael Ohlsson, Johannes Karlsson & Daniel Lissner Östlund, MobilMobil
2011 – Hugo Hågemark, RISE’N’SHINE
2011 – Martin Lindfors, Helhet Reklam & Marknadsföring
2011 – Joakim Bank, Campusbokhandeln
2011 – Mai-Li Hammargren, Mutewatch
2012 – Emilia Lindmark & Erik Johansson, EoE Glasses
2012 – Louise Fritjofsson (Eriksson), AdProfit
2012 – Emelie Åström & Malin Samuelsson, Ascenda Solutions
2012 – Mikael Öhrén & Ludvig Granberg, Hemsida24
2012 – Mikael Blix & Johan Berglund, Laget.se
2013 – Anna Lynham, MinFarm BIA Ltd
2013 – Johan Bergenholtz, Snabboteket
2013 – John Tornblad & Johan Fågelström, Affekt Film
2013 – Marcus von Scheele, Comparific
2014 – Jacob Lönroth, Top Visible
2014 – Deniz Chaban & Sebastian Hartman, Touchtech
2014 – Sally Voltaire, Rårört
2014 – Johanna Nilsson, JohannaN
2015 – Mehrdad Mahdjoubi, Orbital system
2015 – Micke Andersson, WS Mobility
2016 – Madelen Stenlund, Sealoe
2016 – Wilhelm Sturesson Röing, AW Retail Group
2016 – Erik Gatenholm, CELLINK
2016 – Per Erlandsson, Tryggsam i Sverige (deceased)
2017 – Mattias Matsson, Professionals Nord Rekrytering
2017 – Sofie Allert, Swedishalg
2017 – Hugo Larsson & Linus Baihofer Werner, Save-by-Solar Sweden
2017 – Abtin Janinejad, Entowork
2018 – Johanna von Sydow, Equestrian Stockholm
2019 – Guner Ismail, Alguns Åkeri
2020 – Elvira Eriksson, Mockberg
2020 – Viktor Stensson, Bokio
2020 – John Drakenberg Renander, Alex Therapeutics
2020 – Julia Wrede, Gravel
2021 – Ida Norström, Energy Effective Solutions Mälardalen
2021 – Anton Fast & Simon Geldner, Ophena
2021 – Petronella Gustafsson, Progress Me
2021 – Sebastian Salomonsson, SebSalo Energi
2022 – Madelene Törnblom, Maya Delorez
2022 – Hugo Tilmouth & Charlie Baron, theUp.co
2022 – Lova Svensson & Amanda Mattsson, Period Pack
2022 – William Pearson & Nick Doman, Ocean Bottle
2023 – Maiwand Rasouli, Rasouli Group
2023 – Darcy Laceby, Absolute Collagen
2023 – Johannes Salmisaari & Henrik Helenius, Droppe
2023 – Peetu Nuottajärvi, Buutti
2023 – Celina Lorén Saffar, Stuckies
2023 – Ida Johansson, Hyred
2024 – Cyriel Van Steen, Just Russel
2024 – Emelie & Oliver Lundberg, Gotlandschips
2024 – Mandana Hammarstedt, 21 Marketing
2024 – Stefan Trailovic, QueensLab
2024 – Mikaela & Lukas Julher, Clean Sea
2024 – Benjamin Kolenović, Growzillas
2025 – Mandana Hammarstedt, 21 Marketing
2025 – Jonathan Ortheden, Compileit
2025 – Samuel Amant & Trygve Zierul, Koastal
2025 – Amy Knight, Must Have Ideas
2025 – Hanna Lauste & Linn Rosenqvist, Herbox
2025 – Jonathan Backman, Sunhero
FOUNDERS AWARD ALUMNI: A NEW TRADITION
Starting in 2026, Founders Alliance will host an Award Alumni Meeting before the gala each year, bringing together past and present winners across all categories. This will be a unique opportunity for founders to connect, share insights, and celebrate entrepreneurship together.
25TH ANNIVERSARY FOUNDERS AWARDS GALA
All founders, alumni, and members of the founders community are invited to the 25th Anniversary Founders Awards Gala at Berns in Stockholm on September 24, 2026 - a celebration of courage, exchange, and 25 years of shaping Sweden’s entrepreneurial landscape.
ABOUT FOUNDERS ALLIANCE
Founders Alliance is an exclusive community for founders, dedicated to connecting, supporting, and empowering entrepreneurs to scale businesses responsibly while making a positive impact on society.