Starfish of Sweden, which has developed a patented platform to prevent issues like bedsores, has recruited Micael Gustafsson as CEO, tasked with initiating the company’s commercial journey.
In 2023, Starfish had its first patents approved, and this spring, it secured new venture capital to bring the company to markets primarily in Europe and the USA. As part of this effort, the company spent the summer seeking a CEO who could elevate it to the next level. It was recently confirmed that Micael Gustafsson will assume the role of CEO effective immediately, while Jim Roslund will continue to focus on his role as Chairman of the Board.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Micael has accepted our offer to take on the role of CEO. He brings extensive experience from startups in the Medtech sector and also possesses solid expertise in sales and marketing, which was one of our essential requirements. Additionally, his background in the automotive industry, which is one of our future areas of focus, along with his experience navigating an IPO process in his previous role, made him a natural choice. I will continue as an active chairman of the board and support Micael in his work to take the next step,” says Jim Roslund, Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Starfish of Sweden.
With the recruitment of a CEO, the company is now moving into the next phase where commercialization is the main focus. The company has previously conducted a small research study with very positive results and has started a larger clinical study in collaboration with LTH during the summer, which will underpin Starfish’s efforts primarily in healthcare. As the technology is patented, the company will primarily focus on licensing the solution to established players in the market, a process that has already begun.
“For me, it feels both exciting and challenging to become a part of the Starfish team. The product is fantastic, and with the licensing model that has been developed, I look forward to scaling up the business relatively quickly. So, when I received the offer, it was very easy for me to accept, as it’s not only a company with significant financial potential but also a business that will help an incredible number of people. This combination is something I am passionate about, so I am full of energy and hopes. My ambition is to see Starfish Technology not just on mattresses in healthcare but also on car seats, airplane seats, office chairs, etc., in the future. That’s when we’ll know we’ve succeeded,” says Micael Gustafsson, the incoming CEO.
Micael most recently comes from the position as CEO of the digital service Learning to Sleep and has a solid background in Medtech, developing startups, internationalization, and sales.