Linda Teng Innovation Leader of the Year 2025

Innovation Leader of the Year is an award established by RISE, the professional association Innovationsledarna, and Vinnova. The prize aims to inspire and highlight leaders who succeed in turning innovation into tangible benefits – both within their organizations and for society at large.

This year, the award goes to Linda Teng, Concept Manager for student and research housing at Akademiska Hus, and a board member of KTH Live-In Lab.

Linda has, through strategic collaboration and co-creation, been actively involved in both developing test environments and influencing policy and regulations. She has demonstrated an outstanding ability to connect research, practical development, and policy change to create value for an entire industry. Her work has resulted in tangible outcomes, including reduced CO₂ emissions and increased social inclusion through recognition of new forms of housing.

In addition to her work at Akademiska Hus and her engagement with Live-In Lab, Linda serves on the boards of the Swedish Coliving Association and Student Housing Companies, where she has contributed to developing new housing models that promote both sustainability and social connections.

Linda Teng’s award demonstrates how strategic innovation leadership can generate real and long-term value for both organizations and society as a whole.

The jury for the Innovation Leader of the Year award consisted of:

• Johan Frishammar
  Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Luleå University of Technology
  Board Member, Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth

• Ingrid Kihlander
  Researcher in Innovation Management, RISE
  Adjunct Professor, Swedish Defence University

• Fredrik Lindencrona
  Strategic Advisor, Ideas for Life Foundation
  Head of Research Co-Creation, Inner Development Goals

• Maja Påhlman
  Head of Innovation, Arla Foods Sweden
  Chairperson, Innovationsledarna

• Christian Appelt
  Founder, Ambient Society
  Former Head of Service Design, Polestar

• Marianne Larsson
  Innovation Manager Health, Innovation Skåne