New High-Profile Additions to SmiLe's Board of Directors
Anders Sundström and Annika Olsson
Lund, Sweden – SmiLe welcomes Anders Sundström, politician and business leader, and Professor Annika Olsson, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, as new members of its Board of Directors. Their extensive experience in politics, business, research, and academia will further strengthen SmiLe’s ability to support startups in the life science and foodtech sectors on their journey toward commercialization.
Anders Sundström has had a long and successful career in both politics and business. He has served as Minister for Employment, Minister for Enterprise, and Minister for Health and Social Affairs, and has held leading roles in the banking and business sectors, including as CEO of Folksam and Chairman of the Board at Swedbank. He is also a board member of the Mats Paulsson Foundations and Medicon Village. Anders Sundström’s broad network and experience in both politics and business will be invaluable to SmiLe.
Annika Olsson brings a wide-ranging expertise in innovation. As Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, she leads an organization of 1,500 researchers and faculty members, as well as 10,000 students. Her own research focuses on packaging innovation and logistics for a sustainable society, particularly in the food industry. By working closely with the industry, she has developed a deep understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship, which will help SmiLe position itself even more strongly as a venture hub for promising startups.
"I am very pleased to welcome these new members to the board of SmiLe. Their extensive experience and broad connections within research and business, along with their networks, will strengthen SmiLe in its role as an innovation hub. This will support SmiLe's international ambitions and ultimately benefit its companies," says Pia Kinhult, Chairman of the Board of SmiLe.
For more information, contact:
Pia Kinhult
Chairman of the Board of SmiLe,
and Head of Host States Relations and senior adviser In-Kind
at European Spallation Source ERIC,
Lund, Sweden
Mobile: +46 721 792339
E-mail:pia.kinhult@ess.eu
About SmiLe Venture Hub – Pioneering Life Science Innovations
SmiLe is a leading venture hub that specializes in advancing life science startups from concept to commercialization. We offer comprehensive support through every stage of entrepreneurship, including tailored incubation and acceleration programs, a variety of educational courses, and access to top-tier lab facilities. To date, our flagship incubator program has supported over 100 startups, facilitating their collective acquisition of more than EUR 841 million in venture capital and contributing to 21 successful IPOs. Recognized as one of Europe’s leading startup hubs in 2024 by the Financial Times and Statista, SmiLe continues to be a catalyst for innovation in the life sciences sector. As a non-profit entity based in Lund, Sweden, SmiLe is supported by Region Skåne, Lund Municipality, Lund University, and Medicon Village. We are also backed by our sponsors Agilent, Sparbanken Skåne, Høiberg, Setterwalls, Zacco, Key2Compliance, Phase Holographic Imaging, ChemoMetec, and Samplix. For more information: www.smileventurehub.com
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