From UV insights to global impact: The rise of Intellego and Claes Lindahl
- Fearless Founders
- Feb 6
- 4 min read
Globally, the burden of skin cancer is staggering. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.5 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually, with UV exposure accounting for approximately 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers (WHO, 2023). For Claes Lindahl, this reality became a personal call to action and the foundation of his entrepreneurial journey.
In 2011, a young and ambitious Lindahl entered Sweden’s prestigious Venture Cup competition. Armed with markers and a clear vision, he presented a groundbreaking idea: a simple yet effective way to visualize UV exposure and prevent skin damage. His inspiration stemmed from personal frustration with sunburns and the lack of tools to monitor UV levels.
As Lindahl explained in an interview, “When I was younger, it was always a hassle to know how much sunscreen I had applied and when I needed to reapply.”
This personal challenge ultimately led to the creation of Intellego Technologies’ innovative color indicator technology.
Overcoming Challenges with Resilience
Building a company from the ground up is never without hurdles. Lindahl faced significant challenges, including skepticism and external scrutiny that, at one point, impacted the company’s stock value. Undeterred, he relied on transparency and data-driven results to restore confidence.
“Challenges force you to innovate and adapt,” Lindahl has said in interviews.
This mindset allowed Intellego not only to weather storms but also to emerge stronger, securing partnerships with major players like Surfacide and Daro Group.
Recognition and Market Expansion
Intellego’s innovative solutions have not gone unnoticed. The company has been named in the Deloitte Sweden Technology Fast 50, a prestigious list celebrating Sweden’s fastest-growing technology companies. This recognition highlights the company’s rapid expansion and its role in advancing UV technology.
Additionally, Intellego’s products have been embraced by global leaders in healthcare and manufacturing, further cementing its reputation as a trusted innovator.
Intellego Technologies AB (STO: INT) is also listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market, reflecting its continued growth and strong market presence.
Intellego’s 2022 acquisition of the UK-based Daro Group marked a bold expansion. This move integrated water and air disinfection systems into Intellego’s portfolio, unlocking access to the $41 billion water purification market (MarketWatch, 2023). Such strategic growth initiatives have positioned Intellego as a global leader in UV technology, with applications extending far beyond its initial consumer focus.
Scientific Validation and Industry Trust
A cornerstone of Intellego’s credibility is its commitment to scientific validation. Independent studies by institutions like Uppsala University and Berkeley University have consistently demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of Intellego’s dosimeters.
For example, Berkeley’s analysis found that Intellego’s technology outperformed competitors in stability and color differentiation, critical factors for precise UV measurement.
The global UV disinfection market, projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 12.5%, presents immense opportunities (Fortune Business Insights, 2023). Intellego is poised to capitalize on this growth by expanding into emerging sectors like medtech and horticulture.
For Lindahl, the journey is far from over. As he shared in an interview on the company’s website, “Entrepreneurship is about persistence. It’s about finding solutions that matter and building something meaningful.”
This philosophy drives Intellego’s mission to make UV measurement and validation an integral part of global safety standards.
From a Competition Sketch to a Global Company
From a single idea sketched during a competition to a globally recognized company, Intellego Technologies and Claes Lindahl’s story is one of vision, resilience, and impact. By combining innovation with a relentless drive to solve real-world problems, Intellego has transformed how industries approach UV safety and disinfection.
The company’s initial focus was on consumer products, like Smart Sun armbands and stickers, designed to warn users when they’d been exposed to excessive UV radiation. The innovation, powered by patented colorimetric ink, turned UV exposure into a tangible, actionable metric. This humble beginning marked the first step in a journey filled with both breakthroughs and challenges.
Scaling Through Adaptability
While the consumer products gained attention, Lindahl saw a larger opportunity: adapting the technology for industrial and healthcare applications. By 2015, Intellego pivoted to develop UVC dosimeters—tools capable of verifying UV exposure in disinfection processes. This decision was driven by the rising demand for UV sterilization, especially in healthcare settings aiming to reduce hospital-acquired infections.
Lindahl reflected on the pivotal shift, stating, “Selling products to large multinational companies with billions of euros in turnover required a totally different approach and value proposition.”
This adaptability proved transformative. Today, Intellego’s UVC dosimeters are vital in industries ranging from healthcare to manufacturing. Their accuracy and affordability—at just $10–15 per unit—make them indispensable for clients like Surfacide, whose systems performed over 32,000 disinfection cycles in 2022 alone.
Each cycle validated by Intellego’s dosimeters underscores the product’s value in ensuring safety and compliance.
Learn More About Intellego
For more information, visit Intellego Technologies or connect with Intellego on LinkedIn.
References
World Health Organization: Skin cancer statistics and UV exposure impact.
Intellego Technologies: “A Sit-Down Interview with Claes Lindahl,” Official Website.
Deloitte Sweden Technology Fast 50: Recognizing Sweden’s fastest-growing tech companies.
Independent research studies by Uppsala University and Berkeley University on Intellego’s UVC dosimeters.
Surfacide performance data: 32,000+ disinfection cycles validated using Intellego dosimeters in 2022.
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