The aim of the new award is to celebrate people from KTH who, with their innovations, have contributed to a better society.

The monetary award is 500,000 Swedish crowns (EUR 49,500). A recipient of the KTH Innovation Award can be one or several individuals who are, or have been, affiliated with KTH through research or education.

“With the KTH Innovation Award, we want to celebrate people with a connection to KTH who have taken on big challenges in their entrepreneurship. We are looking for those who have pushed boundaries and used their skills to create a better future. In that process, you need creativity, grit and courage,” says Lisa Ericsson, head of KTH Innovation.

Two donors

Donations from Daniel Ek, founder and CEO of Spotify, and Mathias Uhlén, professor at KTH, made this exciting new award possible.

“I believe it is important to conduct excellent research and to bring your research out into society. I hope this award will promote those who have persisted with their ideas, but also inspire more people to take on difficult challenges, both in their research and in their entrepreneurship,” says Mathias Uhlén.

Anyone can nominate

The first recipient of the KTH Innovation Award will be announced in June 2021. The award ceremony will take place in September 2021.

“For nearly 200 years, KTH has attracted innovative people with drive and passion to solve difficult challenges. Now, we are looking forward to seeing the nominations. Everyone is welcome to nominate,” Lisa Ericsson says.

Read more about the innovation award here!

Photo of Mathias Uhlén: Alessandro Bellini