About XO
XO aims to boost ideas at an early stage and challenge existing norms around who is considered a talent and where talent can be found, primarily within entrepreneurship. Here you can read more about our history and the people behind it.
When Dr. Peter Wallenberg passed away, Conni Jonsson wanted to create something in his memory. A foundation that could honor an entrepreneur who was constantly searching for innovative talent. Preferably unconventional individuals willing to take risks, people Dr. Peter Wallenberg appreciated.
When Conni moved to Stockholm, he was a farmer’s son with a degree from Linköping University. He had neither a name nor a network. It was “Pirre,” as Dr. Peter Wallenberg was called by friends, who gave Conni the mandate to start EQT. He was an unconventional person that Pirre liked, and they became friends.
Conni Jonsson donated 50 million. Claes Dahlbäck came up with the idea to ask whether Conni’s friends wanted to contribute. Some of those who said yes were John Hepburn, Göran Lundberg, Göran Ehrnrooth, Peter Wikström, and Jan Dinkelspiel. Thanks to them and many others, the foundation raised an additional 50 million.
It was also Claes Dahlbäck who introduced Conni to Sara Wimmercranz and Susanne Najafi at BackingMinds. Giving back is also Sara Wimmercranz’s motto. Everyone who has an opportunity has a responsibility to pass it on.
Sara is from Älmhult; IKEA country and the land of Astrid Lindgren and Emil in Lönneberga. A place where potatoes are grown, and for Sara it is a metaphor: “If you plant a potato and it goes well and you end up with a lot of potatoes, so many that you have enough for the rest of your life, then you should give away potatoes so that others can also plant potatoes.”
It was Sara and Susanne who came up with the name XO. XO searches for and finds XtraOrdinary talents every year since 2018.
Angelica Jonsson
Head of Operations
First connection with XO
I have been involved from the beginning, when the foundation was created, grew, and took shape. In parallel, I work at EQT, one of the world’s largest private equity firms, where I have been for 20 years. I work with the Chairman of the Board, Conni Jonsson, and the entire global board. When the idea for the foundation was born, I quickly felt that I wanted to be part of the journey — I knew it would be XtraOrdinary.
What makes XO unique
The energy. There is something in the joy and optimism of the XO scholarship recipients that is unique. I believe that when everyone is given the same conditions and starting line, a force of community and momentum is created — and that is something I want to contribute to.
Angelica does
I am Head of Operations. In our small but highly skilled team, that means both leading and executing. At XO, I work with everything from A to Z: managing applications and jury meetings, updating the network, and finding new partners. We run the Academy and alumni gatherings, and not least, we organize a large gala once a year. No task is too small when you are part of the XO team.
Khalid Mohammed
Project Manager
First connection with XO
My first contact with XO Foundation was in 2019. I connected with Angelica, and she invited us to EQT for a meeting. The association For The People (F.T.P), which I had co-founded in Vivalla, had caught her interest. At EQT, we received information about XO and were asked if we wanted to become ambassadors, which we said YES to. At that point, we didn’t fully understand everything they were doing, but we promoted XO to our youth, and just two years later in 2021, all the winners from Örebro had received a scholarship of 500,000 SEK. That’s when we realized this was something out of the ordinary.
What makes XO unique
XO Foundation is unique because those involved do it with heart, and the network is probably the best in the country. The scholarships are also very generous.
Khalid does
A bit of everything, really. Mainly reaching XtraOrdinary individuals across the country with information about the scholarships. I plan and execute events together with the team. From large presentations to small website tweaks and everything in between.
Linda Egertz
Coordinator
First connection with XO
I was invited to the XO gala and sat in the front row. I also had the opportunity to follow the team in their work at the office and felt that this is where I want to be!
Linda does
At XO I do a bit of everything, sometimes I’m a social media manager, other days a tour leader, and next time I’m putting together presentations and brochures. When I’m not joining XO on adventures, I work as an Executive Assistant at Qarlbo. I also have strong experience in the restaurant industry in Stockholm, where I’ve worked at several different places.
Jan Scherman
Chairman
Janne does
Throughout my entire career, I have worked in media as both a reporter and a leader. I’ve worked in newspapers, local and regional radio, Ekot, Rapport, and Aktuellt, and was part of the launch of TV4. I am perhaps best known as the host of Kalla Fakta on TV4, and later as CEO of the channel. I continue to produce TV - most recently the films “Make Democracy Great Again” and “The Future Lives With Us.”
Daniela Spiroska
Content Creator & Strategist
First connection with XO
My first contact with XO Foundation was in 2019, when I was asked to photograph the gala. It marked the beginning of a collaboration that quickly inspired me through how XO works - with warmth, commitment, and a genuine relationship with its audience, team, and surroundings. After that, I was entrusted with photographing the gala every year.
What makes XO unique
XO Foundation is unique compared to many other foundations because it doesn’t only provide financial support. Together with its jury, network, mentors, and team, it actively works to support entrepreneurs and ideas from the ground up - and create real opportunities.
Daniela does
Today, the collaboration has evolved further, and I have the honor of working internally to develop XO’s presence on social media. I work with graphic design, creative strategy, and production of visual content that strengthens and highlights the foundation’s amazing work.
America Vera-Zavala
Author, host & director
First connection with XO
The first time I truly connected with XO was when I was invited to the 2024 gala. Before that, I had heard about the foundation but not much more. The gala made a strong impression on me, it had a warmth, professionalism, and authenticity that is rare.
What makes XO unique
The scholarship amount is substantial, and we all know money matters. The network that recipients gain access to is incredible. The relationships formed and maintained are genuine and evolving, XO’s scholarship recipients stay connected with each other and with us at the foundation year after year.
America does
Writes texts, from short headlines to longer presentation pieces, hosts an XtraOrdinary podcast together with Melody Farshin, and produces short documentaries about our scholarship recipients.