Nordic Scaleup Summit and Scaleup Awards will again this year celebrate the success stories and achievements of Nordic scaleup companies. Nordic Scaleup Awards is the first and only award dedicated to Nordic scaleup companies. It is taking place in conjunction with the Nordic Scaleup Summit, and this year 82 companies have nominated themselves for the award.
A milestone for the startup community
According to G. Fertram Sigurjonsson, CEO and Founder of Kerecis, last year’s winner, “The scaleup seminar and award are invaluable milestones for the Nordic startup community. Not only do they celebrate the remarkable achievements of companies like Kerecis, but they also motivate entrepreneurs across the region.”
Soon after receiving the award last year, Kerecis became Iceland’s first Unicorn when it was acquired by the Denmark-based Coloplast for 1.3 bn USD.
“The award was a great recognition for us and empowered our team. I remember walking into the golden room at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, it gave me a sense of impact and made me realize that we are not a small startup anymore, we are successful. It was a memorable moment,” says Sigurjonsson.
Not just growth at any cost
A modern Nordic scaleup company focuses on more than just growth at any cost. Besides looking at business excellence, this year, the jury will also look for a company that puts an emphasis on a sustainable, diverse, and inclusive company culture and the transition to a greener economy.
“We have received 82 high-quality nominations. It is now up to the jury to assess all the companies to find that one that has excelled in growing their company in an impactful and sustainable way. With so many qualified nominations, this is a tough job! But we look forward to celebrating the winner in Stockholm in May,” says Olivia Rekman, Advisor at Nordic Innovation.
Evaluation criteria:
1. Growth and Business excellence
- Evidence of growth mindset, a robust vision and strategy for sustainable long-term growth. Demonstration of a strong management team.
- Evidence of commercial success and financial performance. Details around any funding rounds executed.
2. Innovativeness
- Businesses which either offer a ground-breaking product, service or solution or evidence of how the business has disrupted the industry and/or market.
3. Global reach
- The market size and potential. Overview of your global trade or global operations, including breakdown of countries you export to or work in. If applicable, evidence of how you are supporting ethical supply chains and global growth.
4 Sustainability
- Evidence of your ESG policy and potential business benefits of your ESG policy.
- If applicable, evidence how the company is addressing one or more UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) at the core of the business or integrating SDGs into the business strategy.
5. Company culture
- Evidence of activities which enhance ethical, socially responsible, diverse and inclusive company culture and how it has resulted in running the business.
- Evidence of a strategic approach to Human Capital Management.
Jury
The winner will be decided by a jury of successful entrepreneurs and investors. Members of the jury are:
- Anne-Louise Thon, Managing General Partner, Vår Ventures
- Nora Bavey, General Partner, Unconventional Ventures
- Javad Mushtaq, Managing Director, EAT
- Svein Berg, Managing Director at Nordic Innovation (Chair of the Jury)
- Pia Santavirta, CEO, Tesi
Nordic Scaleup Summit
Nordic Scaleup Awards takes place after the Nordic Scaleup Summit in Stockholm, 29 May. Nordic Scaleup Summit is the premier gathering of leading entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers from the Nordic countries. The purpose of the event is to recognize Nordic high-growth companies and the entrepreneurs that run them as well as to highlight their success stories and impact on our economy and society.
Registration will open soon!
Background
Nordic Scaleup Summit and Scaleup Awards is organized by Nordic Innovation and Dagens Industri.
Read more about Nordic Scaleup Summit and Scaleup Awards here
