Competition was tough when the JA Championships were decided during the JA fair in Gothenburg on Thursday, February 29th. RetroRåd UF from L M Engström high school took home the golden prize in the most prestigious category, JA Company of the Year, at the 2024 JA fair at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre. Their business idea is to soothe anxiety and confusion among young people who struggle to express their feelings. Through a book as a link, the reader gets to partake in the life stories of the older generation and have space for their own reflections on blank diary pages.

The motivation stated:
The JA Company of the Year wants to alleviate anxiety among young people and help them find a secure set of values to stand on. The company builds a bridge between generations, old and young, and has an idea that goes straight to the heart. With a well-composed report, a great presentation, and a stylish booth, you understand that this year’s JA Company has made a fantastic effort that you will be able to read and write about. The jury is happy and proud to have named RetroRåd JA the UF Company of the Year 2024!

“It feels indescribable, and especially fun that we now have received confirmation that others can also believe in what we believe in so much,” says Josefin Ström.

In the jury’s motivation, it is stated, among other things, that RetroRåd wins the prize because the company builds a bridge between generations, old and young, and has an idea that goes straight to the heart.

“There are so many young people who wander and feel alone in their struggle. But there is support and advice to be had, not least from the older generation. But the resources to draw lessons from them are not always available. It is not until we share our lessons with each other that we maximize the positive effects. This is what we want to give everyone the opportunity to be a part of. At a societal level, we see that we are taking a first step towards bringing generations together in an increasingly distant society,” says Josefin Ström.

Through their victory, they are now also, along with a number of other winners, qualified for the Swedish Masters on May 28-29th in Stockholm.

In total, about 350 JA companies and about 1,300 high school students participated in the JA fair, an inspirational lecture and a politician lunch were also held. And the interest was great. About 7,000 visitors attended the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre during the day.

“A big congratulations to RetroRåd UF, who with their socially responsible UF company really show what Young Entrepreneurship is all about – contributing to positive social development. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s employees and entrepreneurs, and giving young people the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurship benefits both individuals and society as a whole. It becomes clear on days like these,” says Sofia Lundahl, regional manager at Junior Achievement in the Gothenburg region.

The winners in the category UF Company of the Year:

RetroRåd UF, L M Engström
Gralg UF, Donnerggymnasiet
Locus UF, Kitas Gymnasium

The Trade and Industry Group has been a proud partner of Junuir Achievement for many years and is the competition host for JA Company of the Year. Junior Achievement is a non-profit and politically independent organization founded in 1980 and has since trained over 560,000 high school students in Sweden in entrepreneurship.