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Khranovskyy is one of the founders behind Grafren, a company of 4 employees with over 15 years of experience in materials science and expertise in nanomaterials. Graphene in its foundation is a material that came into existence in 2011, which in the same year became a Nobel Prize winner for the invention. 10 years later, Grafren was founded in Linköping, and has patented technologies that allow graphene to be used on all sorts of products. By applying graphene, which at the atomic level is integrated into a layer like a DNA spiral pattern, it is possible to create a reinforcing and safer material that can be used for everything from drones that need to be able to un-freeze their wings to nursing mothers who need a bra that maintains a uniform temperature. With collaborations and pilot projects with giants such as SAAB and RISE to drone manufacturers, there are endless possibilities for Grafren.
The year was 2018, and two scientists wanted to create something that would remain after their observance, that would affect the world for real. To see it for generations to come and become a part of the history books. “I started thinking at the age of 40, what am I doing in the world and how can I contribute? I have been researching for a lot of years, with over 80 research papers and recognitions. But now I felt that I wanted to create something that will continue to exist, for real.” In 2004, Khranovskyy came to Sweden, but he has also spent time in both Norway and Portugal, working as a researcher in materials science.
At Grafren, which runs a small scale production, a lot can still be done. Companies engaged in the same business do not have the expertise and patents of Grafren, and moreover cannot achieve the scale and cost-effectiveness of their production in the same way, something that Khranovskyy is extremely proud of.
Graphene is the thinnest and strongest material in the world, which is also electrically conductive. It is only one atom layer thin, so it is not possible to make it thinner. What Grafren does is integrate graphene with other materials as a coating on a nanoscale - textiles and composites, for example, and then the resulting material gains additional properties and new abilities. Graphene is thus, like thunder honey, which, by applying to another material, acquires magical properties.
Founded
2018
Headquarters
Linkoping
Employees
4
Why Graphene turned to Froda
Because Grafren is working on something that is new and, in the idea of the big banks, a volatile industry, Khranovskyy needed to look further at options to keep the company growing and profitable. Their turnover comes partly from government grants, from pilot projects and from the sale of the materials. The problem lies in the fact that many projects, even though they are billed, can sometimes be postponed for payments. Then there will be a void of liquidity in the company, which needs to be backed up.
In addition, Froda came into the picture for Grafren, and could be used to meet the need. The funding has been used primarily for patent costs, which are a big part of doing research and being able to sell their products. The second part has been used to build on the small-scale production.
130
tSEK
Investment
What is the best thing about running Grafren?
The best thing, according to Khranovskyy, is to come into the office every day and let him know that he is excited to work with something he is passionate about, to be able to leave an imprint on himself, and to actively change the world. Graphene can cause so much change and change. With many testimonials in the local and international press, Khranovskyy thinks it's always fun to cheer, but that he finds it most fun to see his product roll out globally.
What does the future look like?
Grafren, which in Khranovskyy's view has the potential to become a billion-dollar company, will continue to grow further with its customers. “So far, we have not brought in any investments, and this is not something that is relevant at the moment, but of course it can come further. Right now we are building a company to translate and work with contributions for the innovation we create. I don't believe spontaneously in growing the company to be big, so that we can maintain the passion and spirit required in the projects we participate in. I will stay as long as necessary, and because I am passionate about this.”
Om Froda AB
Froda was founded in 2015 with a clear mission to democratize the access to financing and provide small and medium-sized businesses with the same opportunities to grow as large ones. Through digital processes and technological innovation, Froda has shortened the loan process from months to minutes, making it easy for entrepreneurs to invest in their ideas.
Today, Froda is one of Sweden's fastest-growing tech companies with a 1.7 billion SEK valuation and well known investors such as Karl-Johan Persson, Nicklas Storåkers and Victor Jacobsson among the owners.
In 2021, Froda launched a strategic initiative within embedded financing and through it, we have expanded to the Nordics and the UK, as well as having established partnerships with Visa, Lunar and Checkout.com among others.
Froda is a credit market company regulated by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority.
