# Staffan Hillberg

> Staffan Hillberg is a Gothenburg-based entrepreneur, investor and executive chairman of Millow. A co-founder and early CEO of AppGate, he previously worked on Apple’s QuickTime and Bonnier’s online businesses, led Heliospectra from 2010 to 2017, and received an honorary doctorate in Resource Recovery from the University of Borås in 2024.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Executive Chairman at Millow
- **Organizations:** Millow, Wood & Hill Investment AB, 36 Group, Zinzino, Boson Energy, Heliospectra, AppGate Network Security AB, Apple, Bonnier, CR&T Ventures, MVI
- **Education:** Studies in electrical engineering; not completed, according to his University of Borås interview, Chalmers University of Technology, MBA, INSEAD, Honorary Doctor of Technology in Resource Recovery, University of Borås
- **Known for:** Co-founded and led AppGate during its early international development., Heliospectra’s 2017 CEO transition announcement credited his tenure with raising more than US$29 million in equity and building an organization of over 30 employees on two continents., Led Heliospectra through its Nasdaq First North listing and US OTC access via an ADR.

## Career timeline

- **1984** — Started a consulting business with friends including Staffan Truvé.
- **1988** — Started a multimedia company producing CD-ROMs for international sale.
- **Early 1990s** — Worked as a Multimedia Evangelist at Apple’s European office in Paris.
- **Mid-1990s** — Became QuickTime product manager at Apple in California.
- **1996–1998** — Led online activities at Bonnier, including MediaLab.
- **1998–2000** — Co-founded AppGate and served as CEO; a 2009 securities filing dates his tenure from August 1998 to June 2000.
- **2000–2003** — Ran a venture capital company; later held investment roles including MVI.
- **2007** — Joined Zinzino’s board.
- **2008** — Became CEO/partner at Wood & Hill Investment, according to his XING profile.
- **2010–2017** — CEO of Heliospectra, followed by a board role.
- **2019** — Became chairman of the company now called 36 Group.
- **2020** — Millow was founded, initially under the name Svampsson; Hillberg is a co-founder.
- **2024** — Received an honorary doctorate in Resource Recovery from the University of Borås.
- **2026** — Continued as Millow chairman as the company appointed Fredrik Öhrn CEO and announced a €2 million financing round.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and led AppGate during its early international development.
- Heliospectra’s 2017 CEO transition announcement credited his tenure with raising more than US$29 million in equity and building an organization of over 30 employees on two continents.
- Led Heliospectra through its Nasdaq First North listing and US OTC access via an ADR.
- Received the University of Borås honorary doctorate in Resource Recovery in 2024.
- Co-founded Millow, which secured EIC Accelerator support.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Millow announced a €2 million funding round led by Magnus Emilson, with Jan Enhager joining as an investor and strategic adviser; Hillberg remained chairman.
- **2026-03** — Millow appointed Fredrik Öhrn CEO and announced that scientific founder Mohammad J. Taherzadeh would join full-time.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staffanhillberg/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/staffan-hillberg
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-24