H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf’s Award – Årets Nybyggare of the Year

Each year, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf’s Entrepreneur of the Year award ceremony is held at the Royal Palace to honor talented entrepreneurs with foreign backgrounds. Through this award, we aim to celebrate, recognize, and spotlight entrepreneurs with immigrant backgrounds while fostering greater interest in entrepreneurship.

The award highlights exemplary role models, inspires others, and demonstrates how entrepreneurs with foreign backgrounds have successfully built their businesses in Sweden.

IFS Foundation

The IFS Foundation (International Entrepreneurs in Sweden) has been supporting entrepreneurs and business owners with foreign backgrounds since 1996, helping them to start and develop their businesses. The foundation also works to ensure favourable conditions for entrepreneurs with immigrant backgrounds and initiates networking opportunities between business owners.

The Foundation’s Governing Body

Chairman Peje Emilsson

Founder of Kreab International AB and Kunskapsskolan AB

Rafael Bermejo

Founder of the IFS Foundation and Årets Nybyggare

Alireza Etemad

Chairperson and Founder of Etemad Group

Anders Björkenbo

COO/CCO Sens AB

Björn Weigel

Co-founder of C-Resiliens AB

Eddy Wallin

Founder of ED Gruppen AB

Jan Dernestam

Managing Partner at
Mannheimer Swartling Law firm

Maroun Aoun

Senior Consultant, DCP AB

Maryam Ghahremani

CEO, Bambuser AB

Michel Barmoro

Lawyer, Andersson & Barmoro Law Firm

Simona Hef

Senior Consultant, Provida AB

Zoran Covic

Founder of Skillpark AB