Entrepreneur of the Year is awarded annually by the organisation Företagarna and is presented at local, regional and national level. The award recognises committed entrepreneurs throughout the country who are innovatively involved in driving development in the right direction.

Darko Pervan founded Välinge Innovation in 1993 when he invented the revolutionary mechanical floor lock. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the world's leading innovation companies in flooring and furniture technology. Its patented technologies create unique opportunities for the global flooring and furniture industry to develop user-friendly products that last longer and are more environmentally beneficial.

The motivation for the award reads: “With courage, persistence, leadership and brilliant innovation, after 30 years of business development, the company has become a world leader and has floored its competitors. Darko Pervan is an exceptionally good role model as an innovator, entrepreneur and employer, and Höganäs municipality is proud that he has rooted his empire on our peninsula.”

At the headquarters in Viken, the atmosphere is international. It is home to a globally leading R&D Centre and one of the largest and most modern wood flooring factories in the world.

“We are an innovation company – it permeates everything we do. We are continuously working to drive the development of the industry, the company and our pioneering technologies forward,” Darko concludes.