She succeeds Ebba Fåhraeus who after ten years has announced that she wishes to leave the CEO role. Ulrika assumes her new role on November 1st. Ebba will continue to contribute to SmiLe in a strategic advisory role.

“Ebba Fåhraeus has elevated SmiLe to something that not many people thought was possible ten years ago. It is really an impressive achievement in an area that is very complicated,” says Pia Kinhult, Chairwoman of SmiLe Venture Hub. “At the same time, we are extremely pleased that we have managed to find such a great candidate to continue this journey. Ulrika Ringdahl is a very worthy CEO to continue the development of SmiLe.”

Ulrika Ringdahl

Ulrika has extensive experience in life science and has worked with both innovation, commercialization, business development and international partnerships. Currently she is the Deputy CEO of SmiLe and has led the strategy work for the next five-year period. Before joining SmiLe she held the position as CEO of Invest in Skåne where she was responsible for attracting international investments to the southernmost part of Sweden. Ulrika holds a PhD in Medical Microbiology from Lund University.

It feels good to contribute to this often long and complicated process that requires large amounts of capital.

“I am honored and humbled to step in as CEO of SmiLe Venture Hub. I hope that with my experience I can contribute to the continued development of both our own operations and all the ambitious and driven entrepreneurs that participate in our educational programs. Turning research into societal benefit is incredibly important in a sustainable society. It feels good to contribute to this often long and complicated process that requires large amounts of capital,” says Ulrika Ringdahl, new CEO of SmiLe Venture Hub.­