WHY?
Why rising stars matter
Young engineers with new ideas, leadership and commitment are essential to the future.
To meet the major challenges facing society and infrastructure, we need young engineers with new ideas, leadership and commitment. By highlighting the technical talents of the future, this award aims to inspire the next generation to think big, challenge convention and contribute to more sustainable development.
The prize is intended to recognize innovative perspectives and solutions in technology and sustainability, with a particular focus on the engineer’s role in shaping the future of transport and infrastructure. By celebrating young role models, we create a platform for new ideas and inspire more people to choose an engineering path where they can make a difference.
WHO?
Who can win?
An individual or team that has made a significant impact early in their career or during their studies.
The Rising Star award is presented to an individual or a team that has made a significant impact early in their career or during their studies. The winner is someone who, through innovation, leadership or technical ingenuity, has inspired others and shown a strong desire to influence their industry and society at large.
We are looking for people whose work has developed an innovative idea or solution, demonstrated impressive leadership and inspired others, or engaged with sustainability, inclusion or societal development.
The nominee must be a student or have started their career within the past three years.
CRITERIA
What defines the award
The fundamental criteria for nomination.
Connection to Sweden
The person or the solution must have a strong connection to Sweden through place of residence, development or another clear link.
Societal benefit
The work must have a positive impact on society or the environment.
Ethics and sustainability
The solution must meet high ethical standards and promote sustainable development.
Current work
Nominees must have been active in the area during the past year.
Note
Employees of Trafikverket cannot be nominated.
HALL OF FAME
Previous winners
A selection of individuals and teams previously recognized by the award.
Featured winner · 2025 · 2025
Jonatan Persson, Helios Innovation
Presented by Trafikverket
In just a few years, Jonatan Persson has gone from student to founder of Helios Innovation. The company develops a technology that uses waste heat to purify industrial wastewater — a solution that both saves energy and reduces emissions. The jury sees him as a prime example of the next generation of engineers: young, courageous and entrepreneurial.
He has already received several awards, but most importantly, his innovation works in practice and drives industry toward a more sustainable future.
2024
Jonna Matthiesen
Presented by Trafikverket
The AI researcher shaping the future. Jonna Matthiesen has made groundbreaking progress in AI and deep learning, where her work in neural architecture search (NAS) has driven innovation in scalable AI solutions. In a short time, she has gone from intern to team lead, and is today one of the most important young voices in the AI industry.
The jury highlights her expertise, strategic ability and leadership, as well as how she serves as a role model for women in one of the most male-dominated areas of the tech industry.
2023
Paula Runsten and Felix Kruse with Rebaba
Presented by Trafikverket
Sustainability and circular economy for the energy solutions of the future. Paula Runsten and Felix Kruse have developed a simple, functional and industrially scalable battery solution, with a focus on lifespan and reuse of lithium-ion batteries. By combining entrepreneurship with long-term sustainability work, they help reduce the environmental impact of battery use while also creating hope for a more sustainable energy future.
2022
Elvftech
Presented by Trafikverket
Innovation that reduces energy losses and carbon emissions. Elvftech’s technology can significantly reduce energy losses from electricity production, resulting in a substantial reduction in carbon emissions. Through their work, they address one of our most urgent climate challenges and create solutions that make society more energy efficient.
The jury emphasizes how the technology has strong scalability and can be used by a wide range of actors, making it an important piece of the transition to a more sustainable energy sector.