Adrian Solgaard
| Adrian Solgaard | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Norwegian, Canadian |
| 💼 Occupation | Inventor; entrepreneur |
| Known for | Solgaard (Solgaard Design, Inc.) |
| 🌐 Website | https://adriansolgaard.com/ |
Adrian Solgaard is a Norwegian–Canadian inventor and entrepreneur best known as the founder and CEO of the sustainable travel goods brand Solgaard.[1][2] Solgaard designs suitcases and other travel gear that combine utility with sustainability. These include the Carry-On Closet® suitcase, which features an integrated compression shelf system, and the company’s Shore-Tex® material made from 100% recycled materials.[3][1]
Early life
Solgaard was born to Norwegian parents. He grew up in Norway and also near Vancouver, Canada, later settling in New York City.[4][5]
Career
InterLock seatpost lock
Before establishing Solgaard, he invented the InterLock, a bicycle lock that hides inside a bicycle’s seatpost and deploys via retractable cables. The product was launched through Kickstarter campaigns and covered by cycling and technology media in 2013–2015.[6][7][8][9]
Solgaard Design
Solgaard Design, Inc. (commonly called Solgaard) is a travel-goods and accessories company founded by Solgaard in 2016. The company focuses on sustainable luggage and accessories featuring functional design and recycled materials.[1][10] Solgaard’s product portfolio features luggage with integrated shelving (Carry-On Closet® and Check-In Closet®), backpacks, soft goods, watches, solar power bank chargers and travel accessories.[11]
In 2016, after discussing features for a “perfect” backpack when a friend’s bag was stolen, Solgaard launched the Lifepack, a solar-powered anti-theft backpack, via crowdfunding. During its crowdfunding campaign, Lifepack received more than US$1 million in pledges on Kickstarter. The product line expanded the following year with the Hustle backpack.[10][12]
Solgaard became widely known for the Carry-On Closet® suitcase, which features and an integrated collapsible shelving system for organized packing.[3] The product has been sold at MoMA Design Stores and was also recognized on TIME Magazine’s 2018 Best Inventions list.[3][13][14]
Sustainability
Many Solgaard products feature the brand’s proprietary Shore-Tex® fabric, made using recycled, ocean- and river-bound plastic.[1] In 2023, Solgaard launched its first mono-material, fully recyclable backpack, the “Circular Backpack” (now named the “Compass Backpack”), which received a Red Dot: Product Design Award.[15]
In cooperation with its network of plastic collection impact partners and the Solgaard Nyx-Foundation, the Solgaard brand cleans up six pounds of plastic from coastal communities around the world with every product sold.[16][17]
As of Earth Day 2025 (April 5, 2025), Solgaard announced it had cleaned up 30 million pounds of plastic up in cooperation with its network of impact partners and the Solgaard Nyx-Foundation.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Solgaard grew creator-generated revenue 287% MoM". Shopify. 2023. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ "Adrian Solgaard". DLD Conference. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "MoMA Solgaard Carry-On Closet Suitcase 4.0". MoMA Design Store. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ "Adrian Solgaard". Solgaard. 2017-01-01. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ "Adrian Solgaard: Inventor, Entrepreneur, Global Citizen (podcast episode)". StartEdUp Podcast via Apple Podcasts. November 28, 2018. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
- ↑ "The InterLock™ – The Lock that Hides Inside of Your Bike". Kickstarter. 2016-02-29. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ Haworth, J. (2013-01-23). "InterLock, the seatpost-mounted bike lock". BikeRadar. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ "InterLock succeeds in crowdfunding aim to develop security seatpost". BikeBiz. 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ "InterLock Seatpost & "Hidden" Lock Review". Electric Bike Report. 2014-11-19. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Our Story". Solgaard. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ "Luggage". Solgaard. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ "Lifepack Hustle: Solar + Anti-theft backpack & shoulder bag". Kickstarter. 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ "Carry-On Closet (product page)". Solgaard. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ "The Carry-on Closet Is One of TIME's Best Inventions of 2018". TIME. November 15, 2018. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
- ↑ "Solgaard Launches Mono-Material, Fully Circular Backpack, a Red Dot 2023 Product Design Award Winner". PR Newswire. 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
- ↑ "Solgaard Achieves 'Plastic Negative' Sustainability Goal". PR Newswire. June 8, 2021. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
- ↑ "Solgaard Cleans Up Three Million Pounds of Ocean-Bound Plastic". Pershing Square Foundation (via PR Newswire). April 22, 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
External links
- Adrian Solgaard (official website)
- Solgaard (official website)
