Yngve received the prize from HM the King's hand in connection with the Academy's formal meeting on October 23, 2009.
- I was moved and amazed by the distinction, says Yngve Bergqvist, founder of ICEHOTEL.
His motto is: Dig where you stand much is undone. It is also his advice to the young people of today.
- Many have the attitude that things does not work out, but really everything is simple, it is only a matter of thinking differently. Sweden has a cold climate and particularly up here in the north. But it creates opportunities, says Yngve.
His idea of building a hotel out of snow and ice is a 20-year journey. Today, he has patented the idea and the construction in several countries. At the same time he continues to develop new products.
- This is not a desk job. I get my driving force from following idea to realisation, and from experiencing success. You meet the customer from the start, and follow along the whole way.
Today he works mostly with exports, like establishing ICEBAR worldwide. The products that are based on the Torne River ice and ICEHOTEL are constantly evolving. In 2010 ICEHOTEL will open a month earlier, thanks to new technology - a technology that addresses the global warming.
The idea of space tourism, Spaceport Sweden, is based on collaboration between SSC, ICEHOTEL, CAA and Kiruna's business development company, Progressum. - Virgin Galactic is the world's first commercial space line, and they have chosen Spaceport Sweden as one of their partners.
- Their business idea is that ordinary people should be able to travel into space, says Yngve.
Through these projects Yngve constantly meets new people who become his inspiration and role models. The latest is Olav Thon, the billionaire in anorak and Norway's equivalent to Ingvar Kamprad. In November ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL opens in Oslo.
It is the sixth and biggest ice bar to be opened by ICEHOTEL. As an entrepreneur, Yngve is constantly on the move. He spends his spare time hunting grouse or fishing in the mountains.
Contact:
Birgitta Björkskär
Press Officer, IVA
+46 8-791 30 41
+46 70-747 58 68
bb@iva.se
Yngve Bergqvist
CEO ICEHOTEL AB
+46 70-55 35 007
yngve@icehotel.com
Yngve Bergqvist was born in 1948 in Östersund. Economist at Luleå University of Technology. Has been a seaman and worked on environmental management at LKAB. Started the Homestead Museum in conjunction with the history society in Jukkasjärvi and has founded ICEHOTEL AB in Jukkasjärvi.
Yngve Bergqvist was in 2001 appointed honorary doctorate in technology at the Faculty of Arts at Luleå University of Technology. He received the 2007 scholarship for aesthetic Entrepreneurship at the Entrepreneur Awards in Stockholm City Hall.
The Royal Engineering Sciences, IVA, is an independent academy promoting technical and economic sciences, and business development. In collaboration with the industry and university IVA initiates and proposes measures to improve Sweden's industrial competence and competitiveness. See also www.iva.se.