As Softhouse celebrates 30 years, we do so with immense pride in the journey we’ve made. In the Mälardalen region, growth has been particularly intense over the past few years. From restarting with just two people in 2019, the region has grown into a strong team of 45 employees. We sat down with CEO Måns Wiklander to talk about the courage to try new things, the importance of openness, and why great leadership has more in common with standing in a DJ booth than you might think.

When Måns stepped into the role as CEO of Softhouse Mälardalen seven years ago, he faced a challenging—but exciting—task. The Stockholm office had just gone through a major transformation, and only a handful of people remained. The mission was clear: it was time to start over and rebuild the business.

Today, the picture looks completely different. The Mälardalen region has grown rapidly and now consists of offices in both Stockholm and Uppsala, with a total of 45 employees. Through the acquisitions of Conevo and Entecon, the team has significantly broadened its expertise, adding specialists in data and AI while building deep domain knowledge in banking and insurance.

“It has been an intense journey rebuilding the company from the ground up. Growing quickly through both a pandemic and an economic downturn was demanding, but also incredibly rewarding because we’ve been able to put our own stamp on things while still having the support of the wider Softhouse group,” Måns explains.

An active life that fuels the office

When Måns leaves the office, the pace rarely slows down. At home, he is greeted by his wife and two teenage children, aged 13 and 15. Much of his free time is spent training four or five times a week or participating in various sports activities with friends. It is from this active lifestyle and extensive network that he draws much of his energy—energy he then brings back into the workplace to help others grow and develop.

Freedom and the courage to experiment

A major reason Måns chose Softhouse—and continues to stay—is the balance between freedom and security. Here, people are encouraged to build something of their own, test new ideas, and explore new directions while still having the strength of the entire group behind them. It is an environment where new ideas are welcomed and quickly tested in the market.

“We have a speed that’s hard to find elsewhere. The worst thing I know is spending months planning a strategy that never turns into action. Here, you simply try it and see what happens,” he says.

“Let’s just try it”

That fearless and fast-moving mindset runs throughout the entire region. Erik Flodström is a perfect example. After a conversation about possibly opening an office in Uppsala, the team quickly moved from discussion to action.

“At Softhouse, we have a culture of trying things out, so we quickly decided to just go for it,” Erik says. “Today we’re 14 people in the office. ‘Let’s just try it’ is a big part of our culture. There are rarely clear answers from the start, and it’s completely okay to fail.”

Growing quickly while bringing together different company cultures is not always easy. But for Jonny Lundell, one of the founders of Entecon and now a consulting manager in Stockholm, the transition was remarkably smooth.

“Those of us coming from Entecon received an incredibly warm welcome,” Jonny recalls. “A lot of consideration was given to the culture we had built, and there was a genuine willingness to combine the best parts of both companies.”

Warmth and humility in a growing team

Growing quickly while maintaining a healthy culture requires genuine care for one another. That is something Isabelle Malmvall works with every day as she matches the right people with the right assignments.

“Kind people, humility, and a genuine desire to do good for both customers and colleagues—that’s how I would describe Softhouse,” Isabelle says. “Locally, we have a strong entrepreneurial spirit where everyone gets to influence the direction of the business.”

That entrepreneurial mindset has also led to some fantastic customer engagements. One project Isabelle remembers particularly well was when she and founder Staffan Persson coached a technology team at a company specializing in audio and design.

It was an assignment in a highly creative environment, surrounded by beautiful wooden interiors and glass displays filled with historic products—an experience that brought both laughter and memorable challenges.

The same warmth and openness are highlighted by Julia Larsson.

“As cheesy as it may sound, it’s the people who make this place what it is,” Julia says. “I truly appreciate the openness and lack of prestige here.”

One of her fondest memories comes from a conference trip to Antibes, where each group prepared an after-work basket for another team before everyone gathered on the beach to enjoy them together in the sunshine.

The DJ booth and 30 years of community

For Måns Wiklander, leadership is ultimately about creating the right atmosphere for people to grow. This is where one of his biggest passions outside work comes into play. Because Måns is not only a CEO—he is also known internally as “DJ Månz” at Softhouse events. And according to him, the similarities between leadership and DJing are surprisingly clear.

“As a DJ, you set the mood, create joy, and bring people along with you—just like a good leader should,” Måns says with a smile. “You’re not involved in every detail happening on the dance floor, but you absolutely influence the overall experience.”

As Softhouse celebrates 30 years, he is convinced that the company’s long-term success comes down to one thing above all else: employee engagement. People are encouraged to contribute, pursue their own ideas, and actively help shape the future of the company.

When the Mälardalen team is asked to describe their colleagues in just a few words, a clear picture emerges. Måns highlights innovation, creativity, and community.

Jonny adds knowledgeable, energetic, and joyful.

Isabelle contributes humility, deep expertise, and warmth.

And Erik ties it all together with quick decisions, laughter, and variety.

With that mindset—and that energy—the Mälardalen region is more than ready to continue coding the future for many decades to come.