Chief Executive Officer

Co-founding CEO; Commercial & Business LeadBuild a deep-tech company from the ground up and bring a new platform for faster, more resource-efficient metallic materials development to a global market.The opportunityThe team behind MdT Sampler is seeking a commercially driven co-founding CEO who wants to build a company, not simply manage one. You will join inventor Jan Frostevarg and industrial partner Tim Smith as a validated technical concept moves toward customer demonstrations, commercial partnerships and a scalable business.This is a genuine founding role with substantial influence over strategy, market positioning, financing and team development. Sales and business development will be central, but the broader mission is to turn a promising innovation into a commercially viable deep-tech company.The product and customer valueMdT Sampler is a compact system designed to make early-stage metallic materials development faster, less costly and more resource-efficient.The system enables rapid production and testing of small alloy samples and can replicate aspects of industrial processing, particularly heat-treatment cycles. R&D teams can explore alloy compositions and process conditions before committing to larger, more expensive and time-consuming trials.The ambition is not to replace existing equipment, but to add a rapid experimental step that helps customers make better decisions earlier. Our goal is an easy-to-use platform for industry, research institutes and academia.Why this mattersDemand for new metallic materials is increasing. The green transition, European self-sufficiency and the need to replace toxic, scarce or unethically sourced alloying elements all create pressure for faster development.Faster development can help organisations improve existing materials, manage variation in recycled feedstock and replace costly or problematic inputs.Current stage and market validationThe core process was developed through earlier research projects and translated into a working, desktop-sized prototype. LMI AB has invested in-kind in its development and manufacture because it believes in the commercial potential.The venture is at an early commercial stage, with no paying customers or signed letters of intent yet. However, the concept has generated repeated interest through research networks, IVA 100 and direct discussions with potential users. Materials Engineering at Luleå University of Technology is keen to use the innovation and has included it in research applications.A 2024 market study by LTU Business concluded that the innovation has strong potential within its materials-development niche in Sweden, Europe and globally. The next step is to convert this interest into demonstrations, pilots, letters of intent and first sales.The founding teamThe venture is being built by Jan Frostevarg, Docent in laser materials processing and inventor of the process, and Tim Smith, CEO of LMI AB, with expertise in systems integration, laser technology and industrial production.Jan brings scientific and technical expertise plus an extensive research and industry network. Tim and LMI AB contribute engineering, prototype development and production resources. The incoming CEO will add the commercial and company-building capability needed to take the venture to market.Market and go-to-marketInitial customers are expected to be R&D organisations at universities and research institutes, followed by industrial companies developing metallic materials. Relevant examples include LTU, Chalmers, KTH, Lund University, Swerim, LKAB, SSAB, Alleima and ESAB. These are target-market examples, not signed customers.Sales will be consultative and relationship-driven: identifying use cases, engaging engineers and decision-makers, demonstrating the system, building confidence through test results and adapting the solution to customer needs. Initial customer relationships will be developed jointly by the CEO and technical founders.Your role and mandateAs co-founding CEO, you will build and lead the company with the support of Jan and Tim. You will own the commercial side while helping coordinate product priorities, financing and organisational development.The role carries significant decision-making authority. Initially, major decisions will be made jointly by the founders. As the company develops, the CEO is expected to run the business independently, with major strategic decisions and significant investments requiring board approval.Initial prioritiesShape commercial strategy, business model and market positioning.Convert early customer interest into demonstrations, pilots and letters of intent.Support demonstration cases, including reproduction of an existing alloy and development of a new alloy example.Bring customer feedback into prototype development, temperature-control functionality and product design.Prepare and lead fundraising across investors, loans, grants and early sales.Establish the company, operating structure and first hires.A key ambition is to progress from the current prototype to a commercial-ready system operating with a first customer. Timing will depend on prototype lead times and readiness of demonstration cases.Team and resourcesThe initial leadership team consists of Jan, Tim and the incoming co-founding CEO. Beyond the founders, the CEO will build the organisation from the ground up. A technical hire is likely to be among the first additions, followed by commercial and operational roles as demand grows.LMI AB can support manufacture of the first systems and later production. Materials Engineering at LTU can act as an innovation platform by using the prototype, generating results and providing feedback. The group has access to one of Sweden's most modern materials-engineering laboratory environments and a broad range of analytical tools.Ownership, financing and compensationThis is an early-stage, pre-revenue venture that is not yet externally financed. LMI AB is contributing in-kind by funding and developing the prototype. The plan is to establish the company in connection with joining Arctic Business Incubator, which is expected to provide initial financing for approximately 6-12 months while the team secures first customers and starts raising additional capital.Further funding will then be required through investment capital, loans, grants and/or revenue. Securing capital will therefore be an important part of the CEO's responsibility.The intention is for Jan, Tim and the incoming co-founding CEO to own approximately one-third of the company each, although the final structure will be agreed between the founders. Any salary component and its timing will depend on financing. The aim is meaningful ownership, strong alignment and long-term upside.Why join MdT Sampler?This is an opportunity to create value and impact at the intersection of deep tech, sustainable industry and entrepreneurship. You will shape the company at its earliest stage, work alongside experienced technical founders and build a solution with potential relevance far beyond Sweden.The role offers unusually high influence over the business model, market, team and international growth path. It also requires comfort with early-stage uncertainty. The potential reward is meaningful ownership in a company addressing a global industrial need.Who we are looking forYou are an entrepreneurial and commercially minded leader who is motivated by building rather than maintaining. You can create structure where little exists, move between strategy and hands-on execution, and build credibility with technical specialists and senior decision-makers.Key qualificationsExperience in business development, B2B sales, entrepreneurship or company building.Ability to translate complex technology into clear customer value and a compelling business case.Strong relationship-building, communication and negotiation skills.A self-driven, pragmatic and resilient approach to early-stage work.Ability and willingness to take responsibility for fundraising and commercial execution.Valuable additional experienceStartup, spin-out, scale-up or other innovation-led experience.Technical B2B sales involving specialised industrial equipment or longer decision cycles.Knowledge of materials science, metallurgy, manufacturing or industrial R&D.International business development or deep-tech product positioning.Building teams and securing funding from investors, grants or other sources.Practical detailsThe founders are open to flexible working arrangements. Luleå is preferred because the innovation, Arctic Business support and important technical resources are based there. Substantial remote work is possible. We particularly welcome candidates from Northern Sweden while remaining open to strong candidates elsewhere in Sweden.Travel will be based on commercial need and mainly involve customer meetings, demonstrations and industry events. Many early meetings can be held remotely. The current target is to start the role and establish the company in October 2026, subject to prototype lead times and strong demonstration cases.Supported by Arctic BusinessMdT Sampler will be supported by Arctic Business, one of Northern Sweden's established startup and growth environments. The founding team will have hands-on support in business development, financing, recruitment, investor readiness and commercialisation, plus access to networks across industry, academia and investment.For the incoming CEO, this means significant freedom and ownership while having an experienced support structure around the company during its critical first stages.