Lund, Sweden – May 27, 2025 — Ali Ismail, Founder and commercial director of Birka BioStorage, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year in both Lund Municipality and the Skåne region by Företagarna. He will now represent Skåne in the national finals in Stockholm this October.
“When Birka began, we had no legacy, no guarantees — just an idea, a network of believers, and the determination to endure,” said Ismail. “Receiving this award is a humbling reminder that entrepreneurship is never a solo journey. It is built on trust, relationships, and shared resilience.”
Founded in 2010 from a small 6 sqm office in Lund, Birka BioStorage has grown into a globally recognized hub for the safe and strategic management of critical research samples. The company now supports over 150 life science projects worldwide, contributing to breakthroughs in therapies and diagnostics.
“We don’t handle materials — we handle meaning. Every vial we store carries the potential to save lives. And every step we’ve taken as a company has been supported by the dedication of our team, our customers, partners, friends, and family,” Ismail reflected.
Jury motivation (Swedish):
*”I en strikt reglerad bransch, där minsta avvikelse kan få stora konsekvenser, har denna entreprenör skapat en verksamhet i absolut världsklass med syfte att skydda stora värden.
Bolaget vilar på en djärv vision som krävt en exceptionell uthållighet och ambition, men också sinne för innovation och precision. Med starkt fokus på säkerhet, ansvarstagande och omtanke – för personal, kunder och vår planet – har företaget etablerat sig som en trygg länk i en kritisk utvecklingskedja.
Företagsnamnet för tankarna till en historisk handelsplats. I dag är verksamheten en internationell hub inom sitt område, med kunder från hela världen.”*
Translation: “In a strictly regulated industry, where even the smallest deviation can have major consequences, this entrepreneur has created a world-class operation with the purpose of protecting great value.
The company rests on a bold vision that has required exceptional perseverance and ambition, combined with a sense of innovation and precision. With a strong focus on safety, responsibility, and care — for staff, customers, and our planet — the company has established itself as a trusted link in a critical development chain.
The company’s name evokes a historic trading hub. Today, it is an international hub in its field, serving customers from all over the world.”
“This recognition belongs to everyone who has stood by us — through long nights, hard decisions, and every leap into the unknown,” Ismail concluded. “Together, we will keep building the future.”
Media Contact:
Hussein Ismail, CEO
Birka BioStorage AB
hussein.ismail@birkabiostorage.com
+46(0)728541071
www.birkabiostorage.com
Press photo: Ali Ismail, Entrepreneur of the Year Skåne 2025 (photo credit: Företagarna).
