Two LEAD companies have now reached an important milestone: Roxen Innovations and Grafren have each been awarded a “Gold Shoe” to continue their growth journey outside of LEAD’s incubator program.
The “Golden Shoe” award is presented to companies that have developed to the point where they no longer need the support offered by the incubator—an important step on the path from startup to established growth company.
Roxen Innovations develops electric, ultra-light personal watercraft and works to accelerate the electrification of marine mobility. By challenging an industry dependent on fossil fuels, the company aims to contribute to a more sustainable future on the lakes.
Grafren develops advanced materials based on graphene, with applications in areas such as the defense and security sectors. The company’s technology can reduce visibility to thermal cameras and radar, thereby enhancing protection for both soldiers and unmanned systems.
For Magnus Sundstedt, co-founder of Roxen Innovations, his time at LEAD has been an important part of the company’s development:
– Our time at LEAD has meant a great deal to us. For one thing, it’s always valuable to get an outside perspective and help focusing on the right things at the right time. Even though all three of us have run companies before, it’s easy to develop tunnel vision in our day-to-day work.
“Specifically, it’s the support related to the Investment Readiness Process (IRP) and the recruitment efforts that stand out. Finally, of course, the atmosphere and community at LEAD have been very inspiring and have helped us stay positive even in tougher situations,” he says.
LEAD CEO Catharina Sandberg sees the Gold Shoe Awards as a testament to both the companies’ progress and the incubator’s mission:
– Awarding the “Golden Shoes” is always a bit of a mixed feeling. We’re proud to have been part of the journey, but at the same time, this is exactly what we want to achieve: to help companies grow strong enough to succeed on their own.
