Gofore’s CEO Mikael Nylund was yesterday, 26 August 2026, awarded the Finnish Growth Collective’s annual recognition. Under Nylund’s leadership, the company has tripled its size and demonstrates continuous ability to renew itself and market leadership.
According to the Growth Collective, Gofore has successfully grown in an exceptionally challenging market environment in the IT and consulting sector. The company demonstrates continuous capacity for renewal and market leadership as it has expanded into industrial digitalization, the defense and space sectors, and international markets, which has required the organization to constantly reinvent itself.
“This recognition belongs to all Goforeans. Sustainable growth is created by building a community where people can succeed, develop, and grow together. That is why growth matters: it creates new opportunities and long-term value for individuals, for our customers, and for the whole surrounding society,” comments Nylund.
According to the jury, Nylund’s leadership style is characterised by human-centricity and harnessing technology for societal benefit. In the company, corporate culture and employee experience are seen as direct drivers of financial success.
“Gofore is widely known as a company with a strong culture and genuinely value-driven leadership. CEO Mikael Nylund represents modern, inclusive and visionary growth leadership. He has steered the company with empathy, transparency and a people-first approach,” explains Growth Collective CEO Heli Paatela in justifying the choice.
According to the Growth Collective, Gofore represents long-term, disciplined and highly ambitious growth. Gofore’s net sales have increased significantly in recent years. In addition to organic growth, the company’s acquisition strategy has been a key driver, and the company is aiming for long-term net sales of up to 500 million euros.
In autumn 2025, Gofore carried out the largest acquisition in its history by buying the technology and design company Huld for 54.5 million euros, and continued its expansion immediately in January 2026 into the DACH region by acquiring the German company Esentri AG.
Growth Collective (Kasvuryhmä) promotes the growth, internationalization and renewal of medium-sized companies to improve Finland’s wellbeing. The network of business leaders includes nearly 200 growth company CEOs, chairpersons of the board and owners. In our community, leaders share lessons about growth and coach each other in confidential peer groups. The annual Kultainen kuokka (Golden hoe) is a community recognition award, presented to a distinguished leader of sustainable growth for both embodying the Collective’s values and successfully delivering ambitious growth or renewal.