Martin Lorentzon's Biography

Martin Lorentzon is a renowned Swedish entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming service. Born on April 1, 1969, Lorentzon quickly established himself as a visionary in the tech and business world. After earning his degree from Chalmers University of Technology, he ventured into the digital advertising space with Tradedoubler, achieving his first major success by selling the company to AOL Europe. His true claim to fame came in 2006, when he partnered with Daniel Ek to launch Spotify, revolutionizing the music industry through legal streaming and user-friendly design. Lorentzon’s leadership and innovative mindset have been recognized with numerous awards, including being named International Swede of the Year and receiving the prestigious Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences Gold Medal. Despite his immense wealth—estimated at $4.4 billion in 2024—he remains grounded, often reflecting on the humble beginnings of his career. Lorentzon is passionate about technology, music, and supporting entrepreneurship in Sweden. He is also known for his candid views on business, famously stating, "You don’t have to be first, but you have to be best." His journey from a small-town Swedish boy to a global business icon serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.