With a background as a PhD cancer researcher, entrepreneur, CEO and startup advisor, Astrid Friborg will take over as CEO of the innovation company of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences on 1 October. She will strengthen SLU Holding’s role as a catalyst for innovation and investment in early-stage, research-based companies with strong growth potential.
Astrid Friborg, the new CEO of SLU Holding, brings extensive experience from both academia and the business sector. Following her research career, she founded Berries by Astrid, where she developed and commercialised the world’s first smoothie vending machine and built the company into a business with around ten employees. She has since worked, among other things, as an innovation and business advisor to startups.
“Sweden needs to become even better at translating world-leading research into competitive companies that address sustainability challenges on a global scale. SLU Holding has an important role to play in this. We are uniquely positioned to identify and develop innovative ideas at an early stage and contribute with capital, expertise and networks to create long-term value,” says Astrid Friborg.
As CEO, Astrid Friborg will prioritise creating better conditions for financing and follow-up investments in promising companies. She will also deepen collaboration with the university, investors, the business community and other stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem, while further strengthening the SLU Holding brand.
“I see great potential in SLU’s research, which spans everything from Life Science and veterinary medicine to agriculture, food, forestry and water. Building resilience for Sweden and the planet has never been more relevant or urgent. At SLU, we have the research and innovation opportunities needed to address the major, vital challenges of the future. I see significant investment opportunities in this field. It should be easier for more ideas to make the journey all the way from research to impact in society,” says Astrid Friborg.
Astrid Friborg also wants to enable more researchers and students to take the step towards entrepreneurship – either through collaborations or by becoming entrepreneurs themselves.
“We are going to create more opportunities for researchers and students to meet people who have made the journey themselves and who can complement their expertise with the skills needed to build a successful company – for example in sales, leadership, marketing and fundraising,” says Astrid Friborg.
Astrid Friborg, tillträdande vd, SLU Holding
+46 (0)723 62 96 96
Lars Eling, kommunikationsansvarig, SLU Holding
+46 (0)70 667 13 19
Astrid Friborg – ny vd för SLU Holding. Foto: Göran Ekeberg/Addlight
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