Åsa Strandberg, Innovation Champion 2026
Our CEO and founder Åsa Strandberg has been named Innovation Champion of the Year 2026 and awarded a grant by the Olle Oscarsson Foundation and Axera Inkubator. Read the jury’s citation below:
"With exceptional drive, perseverance and courage, Åsa Strandberg has taken on one of the global textile industry’s greatest challenges.
Through years of research, collaboration across boundaries and an unwavering belief in her idea, she has developed RespinJenny, a groundbreaking innovation that enables textile waste to be recycled into new, high-quality fibres without water, chemicals or the addition of virgin raw materials.
Åsa has gone beyond identifying a problem. She has dared to challenge established methods, transformed research into patented technology and built a company with tremendous potential. Her work demonstrates how innovation from Jämtland/Härjedalen could transform an entire industry and contribute to addressing a global challenge.
For her courage, visionary entrepreneurship and an innovation with the potential to make a real difference in the world, Åsa Strandberg, ReSpin AB receive the Innovation Champion of the Year 2026 award.”
We would like to thank the Olle Oscarsson Foundation, Axera Inkubator and the jury for this recognition.
The award was presented at Guldgalan, a celebration of business and entrepreneurship in Jämtland Härjedalen, Sweden.