Sammy Kariuki

Co-Founder @ Kua Zone | Developing next generation innovators and entrepreneurs

👋 Hi, I’m Sammy Kariuki — Co-Founder, Kua Zone.

We are committed to creating a new wave of innovators, problem-solvers, and change-makers, by empowering the next generation with the technological and entrepreneurial mindsets and skills, and global networks they need to thrive.

Additionally, I have provided consulting services to renowned international organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Conservation International (CI), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), and the African Wildlife Foundation [AWF]) engaged in research, the promotion of climate-smart technologies, financial inclusion, and the development of businesses and markets. Both personally and in my role as the founder of Tymax Agribusiness Solutions Limited. Climate change adaptation and mitigation projects are ongoing. 

Connect/Follow + Hit the [🔔] on my profile if you would want to be informed about developments on how I am helping on cultivating the innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

Please do not hesitate to send a DM if this sounds like something you could be interested in.

Co-Founder

Co-Founded the global community “Founders Sunday”. It serves as a non-profit educational platform and support for founders in all continents of the world (1300 + start-ups/scale-ups) 

The community meets up every Friday 1 pm CET on Zoom for lively discussions related to the founders' journey (#founderscoffee☕️) 

For founders - by founders 💡 

Co-founders/ founders:  Håvard, Emilie, Gunvor, Dr. David, Nadia, Evaldas, Elena and Gilles.

Welcome to the “Founders Sunday” group 🚀

Leading BidPal as CEO, I am committed to redefining how businesses approach complex Bids through cutting-edge AI. My expertise lies in orchestrating strategic Procurement initiatives and guiding organizations to achieve superior results, now amplified by AI's potential to streamline processes and elevate win rates.

With a proven history of transformative leadership, I specialize in driving operational excellence, implementing digital solutions, and cultivating high-performing teams. My background in Procurement, strategic planning, and quality management has consistently delivered significant improvements in efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

I thrive on innovation and building impactful partnerships. Whether it's optimizing complex supply chains or leveraging technology for competitive advantage, I am dedicated to sustainable growth and positive societal impact. 

Connect with me to discuss the future of procurement, AI-driven solutions, and collaborative strategies for business success

Johan Wedenius

Exploring Innovation, Cyber Security, and Process Excellence at Upphandlingsdagarna 💡

Day one at Upphandlingsdagarna has been nothing short of inspiring! As always, the event sparked deep discussions on the future of procurement, innovation, and the transformative power of AI. 🤖✨

One of the highlights was reconnecting with Henrik Lindström and Jenny Bohlenius from PLAYipp, one of Stockholms stad’s existing suppliers. Following up on their latest developments is always a pleasure. We had a great strategic dialogue on how we can further evolve our partnership to drive even more value. Building long-term, evolving relationships with suppliers is truly the key to successful procurement! 🤝

With NIS2 coming into force last week, cybersecurity is top of mind for everyone. I had the privilege of discussing this critical topic with Jonas Örjestam and Anna Pott from Orange Business - Cyberdefense. We touched upon the crucial importance of collaboration between suppliers and buyers. It’s fascinating to see how contracts can be designed to promote this through shared risk and reward—a model I believe is essential for modern, resilient governance. 🛡️🔐

Finally, shifting focus to internal quality and development: last week, my department discussed how to better visualize alternative process flows to understand our various customer journeys. Today, Rasmus Abrahamsson Rasmus gave me a walkthrough of the CANEA Partner Group AB quality system. Their process view is highly impressive and could be exactly the solution we need to make complex organizational flows easily accessible and transparent. 📊

Procurement is not just about transactions; it’s about creating ecosystems that foster innovation, security, and quality. 

I’m already looking forward to what insights and new connections tomorrow’s sessions will bring!

What are your thoughts on shared risk/reward models in procurement? Or how are you currently addressing the visualization of your customer journeys? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

#Upphandlingsdagarna #Procurement #Innovation #CyberSecurity #NIS2 #Leadership #QualityManagement #ProcessExcellence #AI #PublicProcurement

CEO @ BidPal.ai | Quality Manager @ City of Stockholm | Driving Innovation in Procurement, Business Growth & Quality

🚀 The Future of Procurement: AI, Quality, and Strategic Innovation

Tomorrow marks the beginning of one of the highlights of my year: Upphandlingsdagarna! 🌟

For the third year in a row, I have the honor of taking the stage. This year is particularly special as I’ll be sharing insights from two unique perspectives: as the CEO of BidPal.ai and as a Manager in the City of Stockholm (Stockholms stad).

Procurement is at a turning point, and I am thrilled to lead two sessions that challenge the status quo:

🎤 Session 1: How AI is Democratizing the Procurement Market
Day 1 | 10:45 - 11:30 | Room E5 As CEO of BidPal.ai, I’ll dive deep into how AI is creating a more level playing field. We will explore how technology:
✔️ Revolutionizes the bidding process ⚡
✔️ Promotes sustainable collaborations 🌱
✔️ Ensures delivery quality and drives innovation based on buyer needs.

🎤 Session 2: Lowest Price – A Loss for Everyone?
Day 2 | 11:45 - 12:15 | Open Stage 3 In my role as Head of Quality and Development at the City of Stockholm/Labour Market Administration, I will challenge traditional purchasing views. 
✔️ We’ll discuss how focusing on quality and long-term value leads to sustainable wins for both the public sector and private partners. 📈

I’m looking forward to connecting with colleagues, partners, and innovators to discuss how we can reshape procurement for a better society. 🤝

Will I see you there? Which topic are you most passionate about: the AI revolution or the shift from "lowest price" to "highest quality"? 

Let’s start the conversation in the comments! 👇

#Upphandlingsdagarna #Procurement #AI #Leadership #StrategicSourcing #BidPal #PublicSector #Innovation

🚀 From Nordic Roots to Global Impact: Our Journey into 2026 🎯 

2025 stands out as one of the most exhilarating years of my career. Building an AI SaaS company from the ground up alongside such a high-caliber team has been a masterclass in growth. It pushed my existing expertise to the limit while demanding a rapid evolution of new skills to keep pace with our innovation. 📈

But as we enter 2026, the bar is set even higher. Our mission is clear: we are scaling. 

🌍 We are launching an aggressive market strategy to expand from our Nordic foundation into Europe, the USA, and beyond. 
🤖 Simultaneously, we are pushing the boundaries of our technology. While our platform is already powered by cutting-edge intelligence, our next milestone is integrating Agentic AI to further simplify and automate complex processes for our users. ✨

As a leader, staying at the forefront of technical and industrial development is non-negotiable. To ensure I stay sharp and connected, I’ll be attending several key events in the beginning of this year:

✔️ Upphandlingsdagarna (Jan 21-22) – Sweden’s premier venue for public procurement. 🎤 I am honored to be lecturing here on how AI is fundamentally reshaping the procurement market. 

✔️ TECHARENA (Feb 11-12) – A gathering of business leaders and decision-makers paving the way for our future. 💡

✔️ Stockholm Smart City Expo (May 20-21) – The leading Nordic meeting point for the cities of tomorrow. 🏙️

Growth never happens in a vacuum. It requires a commitment to lifelong learning and a relentless focus on quality and development. 

Where will you be heading this year to keep your skills at the top of their game? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

#AI #SaaS #Procurement #Leadership #AgenticAI #TechEvents2026 #PublicProcurement #GlobalExpansion

From AI Efficiency to Value-Based Impact: Day 2 at Upphandlingsdagarna 🚀

Day two at Upphandlingsdagarna is officially a wrap! It has been an honor to take the stage once again, shifting the lens from technology to the core strategy of our profession. 

🎤 While yesterday was all about how AI and Agentic AI empower suppliers to create a more efficient bidding process, 
🎤 today’s keynote was about a subject close to my heart: challenging the "lowest price" dogma. 📉

As procurement leaders, we have the power to move beyond simple cost-savings. By focusing on quality and long-term value, we create incredible effects for our organizations and, most importantly, for our citizens. It’s not just about a transaction; it’s about social impact and sustainable development. 🌍✨

Innovation and Strategic Networking 🤝
Beyond the stage, the exhibition floor provided some fantastic insights:

Lingio: It was great to catch up with Daniel Yashar Moradbakhti our long-term partner, Lingio. Their AI-enhanced language tools are a game-changer. I was particularly impressed by how they are already prepared to support municipalities with the upcoming changes to the Social Services Act (Socialtjänstlagen). Their proactive approach to the new activity requirements is exactly the kind of innovation we need. 📚🤖

TechSverige: I had a truly inspiring conversation with Bo-Erik "Bobo" Steen. Learning more about their holistic perspective on strengthening their members' position in the market was a highlight of the day.

A Huge Thank You 🙏
A massive thank you to Upphandlingsdagarna for creating this vital arena for networking, knowledge-sharing, and growth. It is these conversations that push our industry forward!

Now, I want to hear from you: How are you working to move the needle from "lowest price" to "highest value" in your current projects? 

Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

#Procurement #PublicProcurement #Leadership #Upphandlingsdagarna #AI #SocialImpact #Innovation #StrategicProcurement

🚀 Democratizing Procurement: Insights from Our Deep Dive into AI 🤖

I just stepped off the stage after a session on a topic I am deeply passionate about: "How AI Democratizes the Procurement Market."

The energy in the room was incredible! It is clear that we are at a tipping point where Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a "future trend"—it is a practical tool for creating a fairer, more efficient market accessible to everyone. 

During the lecture I explored how AI technology is:
✔️  Revolutionizing the bidding process by removing administrative hurdles. ✍️
✔️  Fostering sustainable collaborations through data-driven insights. 🌱
✔️  Ensuring delivery quality and driving innovation based on actual buyer needs. 💡

What struck me most was the post-session discussion. Almost everyone stayed behind to discuss the tangible effects for both suppliers and buyers. We shared several key insights on how BidPal.ai bridges the gap, ensuring that the best solution wins, regardless of the size of the company’s administrative department. 🤝

Key takeaway from the crowd: 
✔️  AI doesn't just save time; it restores focus to what actually matters—quality, sustainability, and long-term value.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and shared their perspectives!

Want to learn more? Check out the links below:
🔗 https://lnkd.in/dY9bnR7p

How do you see AI changing your procurement or bidding process today? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments! 👇

#AI #Procurement #DigitalTransformation #PublicSector #Innovation #BidPal #StrategicSourcing

Scaling Growth in 2026

2025 was a milestone year for us at BidPal.ai 🤩. It was the year we took our vision from concept to reality, officially launching our platform to the market. 

But if 2025 was about building the foundation, 2026 is about driving monumental impact. 🚀🎯 

In the world of procurement, a winning bid isn't just a contract, it’s a catalyst for long-term financial security and sustainable business growth. 📈 

As we move into this year, our mission is clearer than ever: to empower our clients to secure the high-stakes contracts that transform their companies. 

Why focus on procurement in 2026?

✔️ Stability: Long-term contracts provide a "financial moat" in an unpredictable economy.

✔️ Growth: Strategic bidding allows SMEs to compete with and win against industry giants.

✔️ Quality: Excellence in procurement is the ultimate hallmark of a mature, well-led organization.

At BidPal.ai, we don't just provide a tool; we provide a strategic advantage. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of procurement with the precision of a seasoned expert team and the vision of a market leader. 🌟

Let’s make 2026 the year your business achieves the growth it deserves. 🥳 

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to winning public or private tenders? Let’s discuss in the comments below! 👇

#Procurement #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Innovation #BidPal #PublicTenders #StrategicGrowth

Tiden för att förbereda ett vinnande anbud är ofta knapp men med BidPal.ai kan du spara upp till 100 timmar per anbud.
 
AI-verktygen identifierar relevanta RFP:er, genererar skräddarsydda svar och granskar hela anbudet för tydlighet, fullständighet och efterlevnad.
 
Resultatet: professionella, felfria anbud som ökar dina chanser att vinna offentliga kontrakt.
 
Läs mer och börja vinna: https://bidpal.ai/sv
 
#BidPalAI #AIprocurement #SmartBidding #RFP #Upphandling #PublicContracts #SMB

From Marginals to Milestones: Shifting Focus in Public Procurement 🚀

Yesterday, I had the incredible honor of speaking on the Open Stage at Upphandlingsdagarna, and the energy was nothing short of electric! ⚡ We ended up with a "good" problem: the area was so packed that we created a human blockade of engaged professionals eager to talk about the future of procurement.

The core of my message? It is time to stop procuring for delivery and start procuring for IMPACT. 🎯

The Shift: Performance vs. Effect
In traditional procurement, we often get bogged down in the "how"—the rigid technical specifications. I argue for a Trust-Based Collaboration Model where the buyer defines the "What" (the desired effect) and allows the provider—the true expert—to handle the "How."

The Strategy: Shared Risk & Reward 🤝
To show that this isn't just theory but a strategy for all framework agreements, I presented three distinct cases:

✔️ Education 🎓
✔️ Construction (Entreprenad) 🏗️
✔️ System Development 💻

By using a Shared Risk and Reward model, we align incentives. When the provider delivers greater impact for the organization, they are rewarded accordingly. We move away from squeezing margins and toward maximizing value. It’s a Win-Win for everyone involved!

The Aftermath
The dialogue didn't stop when I left the stage. Over lunch, my LinkedIn was buzzing with feedback. I am particularly excited to follow up with John Fristedt from the Social Welfare Department in Linköpings kommun and Christina von Bergen from Oracle who invited me to their organizations for further dialogue. 📈

As an expert in procurement, I truly believe that focusing on effect-based incentives is the key to modern, high-quality public development.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! 👇
How are you working with outcome-based incentives today?
Do you believe trust-based models are the future of public sector efficiency?
Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments! 💬✨

#PublicProcurement #Leadership #ValueBasedProcurement #Upphandlingsdagarna #Innovation #StrategicSourcing #WinWin

Procurement Professionals: You Are Now the Gatekeepers of Cybersecurity! 🛡️

With the Swedish Cybersecurity Act (NIS2) taking effect on January 15, 2026, the world of procurement is undergoing its biggest transformation in decades. "Supply Chain Security" is no longer a buzzword—it’s a legal mandate.

In my work with procurement and quality development, it's clear that we can no longer treat IT security as a checkbox at the end of a tender. It must be woven into the very fabric of our sourcing strategies. 

Key shifts we are seeing right now: 

🔹 From 'Price' to 'Resilience': A supplier’s cyber posture is now a critical risk factor. 
🔹 The 24-Hour Clock: Contracts must now enforce rapid incident reporting to ensure we meet legal deadlines. 
🔹 Active Auditing: The "Trust but Verify" model is shifting heavily toward "Verify then Trust."

If you aren't already updating your contract templates and risk assessment models, now is the time. The security of our municipalities and organizations is only as strong as the vendors we choose to partner with.

Are you ready to audit your supply chain? What is the most difficult security requirement you’ve had to include in a tender so far?

Let’s talk strategy in the comments! 👇

#Procurement #NIS2 #SupplyChainSecurity #PublicProcurement #CyberSecurity #Leadership #StrategicSourcing

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Sammy Kariuki

Johan Wedenius

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Johan Wedenius's LinkedIn Performance

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