Martin Gren, one of the founders of Axis Communications, was last night named Sweden's most successful entrepreneur when the final of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 took place at Stockholm city hall. Martin Gren also received the prize for best international growth, a prize category that is awarded by SEB.
Prize motivations: Entrepreneur of the Year 2008
"This year's winner has developed security equipment that is found in stores, industries, banks and in airports all over the world. Through visionary thinking and innovative creativeness, this year's winner has built up a multi-billion industry that helps to create a safer world."
Best international growth
"This year's winner has become the world's largest company in network security cameras through innovative entrepreneurship and technological business acumen."
"I am happy and proud to have been awarded the prizes. At Axis, we know that there has been tough competition from other capable entrepreneurs and business owners in Sweden. To be an entrepreneur, you must always be at the cutting edge. We have been consistently good at this throughout the company’s 25-year history. Other important success factors are that we have worked strictly according to our business model and focused on development of network products. Recruiting and retaining skilled and committed employees is another factor that has laid the basis for Axis’ success," says Martin Gren.
Axis was founded in Lund 25 years ago (1984) and the company’s first product was an IBM protocol converter. The company has refined its focus over the years and today Axis is global market leader for network cameras, which are used, first and foremost, for surveillance. Axis has offices in more than 20 countries and works globally with an indirect sales model through distributors and has more than 24,000 system integrators in more than 70 countries.
"Axis is a young, modern IT company that lies at the cutting edge in the development of network video products and which is currently in an expansionary phase. During 2008 more than 150 new employees have been recruited and new offices have been established in Moscow, Peking and SÄ‚Åo Paulo. With 25 years' experience of both product and partner networks, Axis is today the world leading supplier of network cameras," says Ray Mauritsson, President of Axis Communications.
