Ung Företagsamhet Logo PNG
The Ung företagsamhet logo is like a beam of light breaking through the darkness, showing the way to a happy future. The emblem features lightness and fine lines, emphasizing the youth of its participants.
Ung Företagsamhet: Brand overview
The history of Ung Företagsamhet (translated from Swedish as “Young Entrepreneurship”) began in 1980 in Sweden. The organization was founded based on the American Junior Achievement program, which had existed in the United States since 1919. The core idea was to teach young people entrepreneurship through hands-on experience in creating and managing small businesses within a school environment.
The initiative was led by Swedish businessman Bengt Wennerlund, who was convinced of the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among youth. He adapted the American concept to Swedish conditions and, with the support of business representatives, established a nonprofit organization that allowed students to gain entrepreneurial experience before finishing school.
During the 1980–1981 academic year, the program was launched in several schools in the Stockholm region. The first UF companies (UF being the abbreviation for Ung Företagsamhet) were created by enthusiastic high school students with guidance from volunteer teachers and business mentors. The program faced challenges, ranging from a lack of educational materials to skepticism within the education system.
Despite these obstacles, the concept gained traction. Students running their school-based businesses developed essential skills in teamwork, planning, decision-making, and interacting with customers and suppliers.
By the mid-1980s, the program began expanding beyond Stockholm. By 1985, it was active in several Swedish regions, with hundreds of participants. The first standardized educational materials were introduced during this period to help organize UF companies more effectively.
The organization received crucial support from Swedish businesses and entrepreneurs, who provided funding and sent employees as mentors.
In 1987, the first national UF company competition took place. The best student-run businesses gathered in Stockholm to present their projects to a jury, drawing interest from the public and media.
Two years later, in 1989, Swedish UF companies participated in the European Junior Achievement competition for the first time, fostering international knowledge exchange.
1993, Sweden’s Ministry of Education officially recognized Ung Företagsamhet as part of the national education system. The program was recommended as an optional course for high school students.
By 1995, the organization marked its 15th anniversary with a conference in Gothenburg attended by business, education, and political leaders.
In the latter half of the 1990s, the program expanded its reach, introducing adapted courses for middle and elementary school students.
By the end of the decade, Ung Företagsamhet was present in all regions of Sweden. Regional offices were established in each county to coordinate the program’s activities.
In 2000, the organization launched its official website and created an alumni database to track the career paths of former participants.
By 2002, the number of participants exceeded 10,000. A study showed that program graduates were likelier to become entrepreneurs and achieve greater career success.
In 2005, the organization received royal patronage from King Carl XVI Gustaf. A conference was held in Stockholm to mark its anniversary, bringing together alumni from various years.
A year later, in 2006, the “Summer Entrepreneurship” (Sommarlovsentreprenör) program was introduced, allowing high school students to develop business projects during their summer break.
During the 2008 financial crisis, government funding for entrepreneurial education was increased, enabling Ung Företagsamhet to expand its reach.
By 2010, as the organization celebrated its 30th anniversary, a new strategy was introduced to integrate entrepreneurship into all levels of education. An Alumni program was also launched.
In 2012, the first national competition for social entrepreneurship was held, focusing on business solutions for social challenges.
A year later, in 2013, the organization began using social media to engage with youth and promote its programs.
By 2015, updated educational materials were introduced, incorporating modern business trends such as digitalization and sustainability.
In 2017, the “Innovation Camps” (Innovationsläger) program was launched, where students worked on real business challenges presented by partner companies.
By 2018, participation in the program had reached 30,000 students—one-quarter of all Swedish high schoolers. A study by Lund University found that UF graduates were 20% more likely to start their businesses and earned 30% more than their peers.
As the organization marked its 40th anniversary in 2020, the pandemic required a shift to online learning. The national UF company competition was held virtually for the first time, attracting a record number of viewers.
In 2021, the “Entrepreneurship for All” (Entreprenörskap för alla) initiative was introduced, focusing on young people from diverse backgrounds, including migrants and low-income families.
By 2022, the organization had modernized its digital platform, adding tools for business planning, financial management, and marketing.
In 2023, international collaboration expanded, launching exchange programs for teachers and students in the Baltic and Eastern European countries.
By 2024, Ung Företagsamhet had become a key part of Sweden’s educational and innovation ecosystem. Over four decades, the program has helped thousands of young people develop entrepreneurial skills, contributing to the country’s economic growth.
Today, the organization continues to evolve, adapting its educational initiatives to new challenges and strengthening partnerships with the business community.
Meaning and History
The movement in Sweden originated in 1980. It can be presumed that the organization’s symbol was designed around this time. The emblem’s design is linked to the signs of the global movement of which the organization is a part. The composition is built on simplicity, lightness, and accessibility. It combines children’s attributes and dreams.
What is Ung företagsamhet?
A youth movement in Sweden. It focuses on teaching schoolchildren the basics of business and entrepreneurship. It covers elementary, middle, high school, and university students. The country has 24 branches with 100 employees. The organization helps schoolchildren start small businesses and realize their dreams.
1980 – today
The emblem of the movement is a black square with rounded corners. The precisely defined boundaries of the symbol represent a community and union that can be joined by age or beliefs.
The equal length of the sides embodies equality among participants. It highlights tolerance and democracy. All young people, regardless of background, can participate in the program. More than 560,000 youths from Sweden have completed training in Ung.
The name, represented by three large white lowercase letters Ung and a smaller subscript företagsamhet, directly targets a young audience – with participants ranging from 5 to 25 years old.
An important symbol in the logo is a kite. The toy conveys the idea of flight, starting, and aspiring upwards. Young people are the country’s future. They are just beginning their journey. The organizers aim to inspire participants and provide them with knowledge for a successful start in life. The kite symbolizes the fulfillment of wishes, as students in the program can start businesses and gain practical skills.
Underneath the thin, straight line at the bottom of the composition indicates that the movement is part of the global organization JA Worldwide – a youth community covering 15 million boys and girls. JA stands for Junior Achievement and has existed for over 100 years. The main goal and task of JA closely intertwine with Ung företagsamhet and represent building a bright future for subsequent generations.
In the lower-left corner is the Worldwide emblem. The symbol is a paper airplane composed of many of its smaller copies. This sign is linked to the concept of the Ung logo. It encompasses the theme of flight and moving forward. The interweaving of small figures emphasizes teamwork and mutual support.
Interestingly, the elements in the airplane are united so that space remains between them, mirroring the shape of Ung’s kite.
Font and Colors
The logo’s color scheme uses the idea of contrast. It juxtaposes light and dark, youth and the older generation, ignorance and knowledge. According to the movement’s concept, young people, represented by the light tone, receive important knowledge at meetings and should subsequently impact the country’s and economy’s more positive development.
The font of the inscription is smooth and thin: Acherus Feral Semibold.
