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| occupation = Inventor; entrepreneur
| occupation = Inventor; entrepreneur
| known_for = Solgaard (Solgaard Design, Inc.)
| known_for = Solgaard (Solgaard Design, Inc.)
| website = https://adriansolgaard.com/
| website = [https://adriansolgaard.com/ adriansolgaard.com]


}}
}}


'''Adrian Solgaard''' is a Norwegian–Canadian inventor and entrepreneur, noted as the founder and CEO of the sustainability-focused travel brand Solgaard.<ref name="ShopifyCase">{{cite web |title=Solgaard grew creator-generated revenue 287% MoM |url=https://www.shopify.com/case-studies/solgaard |website=Shopify |date=2023 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref name="DLD">{{cite web |title=Adrian Solgaard |url=https://dld-conference.com/speaker/adrian-solgaard |website=DLD Conference |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref> The company produces luggage and travel accessories that blend practical features with environmental aims, including the Carry-On Closet suitcase with a built-in shelving system and Shore-Tex fabric made from ocean-bound plastics.<ref name="MoMA">{{cite web |title=MoMA Solgaard Carry-On Closet Suitcase 4.0 |url=https://store.moma.org/products/moma-solgaard-carry-on-closet-suitcase-4-0-black |website=MoMA Design Store |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref name="ShopifyCase" />
'''Adrian Solgaard''' is a Norwegian–Canadian inventor and entrepreneur best known as the founder and CEO of the sustainable travel goods brand Solgaard.<ref name="ShopifyCase">{{cite web |title=Solgaard grew creator-generated revenue 287% MoM |url=https://www.shopify.com/case-studies/solgaard |website=Shopify |date=2023 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref name="DLD">{{cite web |title=Adrian Solgaard |url=https://dld-conference.com/speaker/adrian-solgaard |website=DLD Conference |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref> 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.<ref name="MoMA">{{cite web |title=MoMA Solgaard Carry-On Closet Suitcase 4.0 |url=https://store.moma.org/products/moma-solgaard-carry-on-closet-suitcase-4-0-black |website=MoMA Design Store |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref name="ShopifyCase" />


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Solgaard was born to Norwegian parents. He spent his childhood in Norway and in the Vancouver area of Canada, and later settled in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adrian Solgaard |url=https://solgaard.co/blogs/our-team/adrian-solgaard |website=Solgaard |date=2017-01-01 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Adrian Solgaard: Inventor, Entrepreneur, Global Citizen (podcast episode) |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/adrian-solgaard-inventor-entrepreneur-global-citizen/id1190995056?i=1000424699489 |website=StartEdUp Podcast via Apple Podcasts |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref>
Solgaard was born to Norwegian parents. He grew up in Norway and also near Vancouver, Canada, later settling in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adrian Solgaard |url=https://solgaard.co/blogs/our-team/adrian-solgaard |website=Solgaard |date=2017-01-01 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Adrian Solgaard: Inventor, Entrepreneur, Global Citizen (podcast episode) |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/adrian-solgaard-inventor-entrepreneur-global-citizen/id1190995056?i=1000424699489 |website=StartEdUp Podcast via Apple Podcasts |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
=== InterLock seatpost lock ===
=== InterLock seatpost lock ===
Prior to founding Solgaard, he developed the InterLock, a bicycle lock concealed within the seatpost that deploys using retractable cables. Debuted via [[Kickstarter]] campaigns, it drew coverage from cycling and tech outlets between 2013 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=The InterLock™ – The Lock that Hides Inside of Your Bike |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/solgaarddesign/the-interlocktm-the-lock-that-hides-inside-of-your |website=Kickstarter |date=2016-02-29 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Haworth |first=J. |title=InterLock, the seatpost-mounted bike lock |url=https://www.bikeradar.com/news/interlock-the-seatpost-mounted-bike-lock |work=BikeRadar |date=2013-01-23 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=InterLock succeeds in crowdfunding aim to develop security seatpost |url=https://bikebiz.com/interlock-succeeds-in-crowdfunding-aim-to-develop-security-seatpost/ |work=BikeBiz |date=2013-01-31 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=InterLock Seatpost & “Hidden” Lock Review |url=https://electricbikereport.com/interlock-seatpost-lock-review/ |website=Electric Bike Report |date=2014-11-19 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |title=The InterLock™ – The Lock that Hides Inside of Your Bike |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/solgaarddesign/the-interlocktm-the-lock-that-hides-inside-of-your |website=Kickstarter |date=2016-02-29 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Haworth |first=J. |title=InterLock, the seatpost-mounted bike lock |url=https://www.bikeradar.com/news/interlock-the-seatpost-mounted-bike-lock |work=BikeRadar |date=2013-01-23 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=InterLock succeeds in crowdfunding aim to develop security seatpost |url=https://bikebiz.com/interlock-succeeds-in-crowdfunding-aim-to-develop-security-seatpost/ |work=BikeBiz |date=2013-01-31 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=InterLock Seatpost & “Hidden” Lock Review |url=https://electricbikereport.com/interlock-seatpost-lock-review/ |website=Electric Bike Report |date=2014-11-19 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref>


=== Solgaard Design ===
=== Solgaard Design ===
'''Solgaard Design, Inc.''' (often branded '''Solgaard''') is a travel-goods and accessories firm established by Solgaard in 2016. Its emphasis is on functional design and recycled inputs.<ref name="ShopifyCase" /><ref name="Story" /> The lineup has included luggage with built-in shelving (Carry-On Closet and Check-In Closet), backpacks, and related travel accessories.<ref>{{cite web |title=Luggage |url=https://solgaard.co/collections/luggage |website=Solgaard |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref>
'''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.<ref name="ShopifyCase" /><ref name="Story" /> Solgaard’s product portfolio fetaures luggage with integrated shelving (Carry-On Closet® and Check-In Closet®), backpacks, soft goods, watches, solar power bank chargers and travel accessories.<ref>{{cite web |title=Luggage |url=https://solgaard.co/collections/luggage |website=Solgaard |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref>


In 2016, after discussing features for an ideal backpack following a friend’s bag theft, Solgaard introduced the Lifepack—an anti-theft, solar-powered backpack—through crowdfunding. The Kickstarter campaign garnered over US$1 million in pledges, and the range expanded in 2017 with the Hustle backpack.<ref name="Story">{{cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://solgaard.co/pages/our-story |website=Solgaard |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lifepack Hustle: Solar + Anti-theft backpack & shoulder bag |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/solgaarddesign/lifepack-hustle-backpack-and-solar-shoulder-bag/description |website=Kickstarter |date=2017-06-20 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Story">{{cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://solgaard.co/pages/our-story |website=Solgaard |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lifepack Hustle: Solar + Anti-theft backpack & shoulder bag |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/solgaarddesign/lifepack-hustle-backpack-and-solar-shoulder-bag/description |website=Kickstarter |date=2017-06-20 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref>


The company gained broader notice with the Carry-On Closet suitcase, which features a collapsible shelving system for organizing clothes.<ref name="MoMA" /> It has been sold as a MoMA Design Store exclusive and promoted on the company site as an “award-winning” product.<ref name="MoMA" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Carry-On Closet (product page) |url=https://solgaard.co/products/carry-on-closet |website=Solgaard |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref> The model was also included in ''TIME''’s Best Inventions list.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Carry-on Closet Is One of TIME's Best Inventions of 2018 |url=https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2018/5455672/the-carry-on-closet/ |website=TIME |date=November 15, 2018 |access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref>
Solgaard became widely known for the Carry-On Closet® suitcase, which features and an integrated collapsible shelving system for organized packing.<ref name="MoMA" /> The product has been sold at MoMA Design Stores and was also recognized on ''TIME'' Magazine’s 2018 Best Inventions list.<ref name="MoMA" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Carry-On Closet (product page) |url=https://solgaard.co/products/carry-on-closet |website=Solgaard |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Carry-on Closet Is One of TIME's Best Inventions of 2018 |url=https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2018/5455672/the-carry-on-closet/ |website=TIME |date=November 15, 2018 |access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref>


=== Sustainability ===
=== Sustainability ===
Solgaard incorporates Shore-Tex textiles—made from recycled plastic collected from ocean- and river-bound sources—into its products.<ref name="ShopifyCase" /> In 2023, the company introduced the “Circular Backpack,” its first mono-material, fully recyclable design, which received a Red Dot Product Design Award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Solgaard Launches Mono-Material, Fully Circular Backpack, a Red Dot 2023 Product Design Award Winner |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solgaard-launches-mono-material-fully-circular-backpack-a-red-dot-2023-product-design-award-winner-301809258.html |publisher=PR Newswire |date=2023-04-27 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref>
Many Solgaard products feature the brand’s proprietary Shore-Tex® fabric, made using recycled, ocean- and river-bound plastic.<ref name="ShopifyCase" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Solgaard Launches Mono-Material, Fully Circular Backpack, a Red Dot 2023 Product Design Award Winner |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solgaard-launches-mono-material-fully-circular-backpack-a-red-dot-2023-product-design-award-winner-301809258.html |publisher=PR Newswire |date=2023-04-27 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref>


The firm has stated goals such as achieving “plastic negative” status and has reported, in partnership with collaborators, multi-million-pound totals of ocean-bound plastic collected or diverted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Solgaard Achieves ‘Plastic Negative’ Sustainability Goal |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solgaard-achieves-plastic-negative-sustainability-goal-301307564.html |website=PR Newswire |date=June 8, 2021 |access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Solgaard Cleans Up Three Million Pounds of Ocean-Bound Plastic |url=https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/news/solgaard-cleans-up-three-million-pounds-of-ocean-bound-plastic-in-cooperation-with-the-solgaard-nyx-foundation-and-impact-partners |website=Pershing Square Foundation (via PR Newswire) |date=April 22, 2025 |access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Solgaard Achieves ‘Plastic Negative’ Sustainability Goal |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solgaard-achieves-plastic-negative-sustainability-goal-301307564.html |website=PR Newswire |date=June 8, 2021 |access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Solgaard Cleans Up Three Million Pounds of Ocean-Bound Plastic |url=https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/news/solgaard-cleans-up-three-million-pounds-of-ocean-bound-plastic-in-cooperation-with-the-solgaard-nyx-foundation-and-impact-partners |website=Pershing Square Foundation (via PR Newswire) |date=April 22, 2025 |access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref>
 
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 ==
== References ==

Revision as of 19:44, 5 November 2025


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 fetaures 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. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.shopify.com/case-studies/solgaard | Solgaard grew creator-generated revenue 287% MoM }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  2. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://dld-conference.com/speaker/adrian-solgaard | Adrian Solgaard }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://store.moma.org/products/moma-solgaard-carry-on-closet-suitcase-4-0-black | MoMA Solgaard Carry-On Closet Suitcase 4.0 }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  4. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://solgaard.co/blogs/our-team/adrian-solgaard | Adrian Solgaard }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  5. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/adrian-solgaard-inventor-entrepreneur-global-citizen/id1190995056?i=1000424699489 | Adrian Solgaard: Inventor, Entrepreneur, Global Citizen (podcast episode) }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-25 | Accessed: 2025-10-25. }}
  6. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/solgaarddesign/the-interlocktm-the-lock-that-hides-inside-of-your | The InterLock™ – The Lock that Hides Inside of Your Bike }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  7. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/interlock-the-seatpost-mounted-bike-lock | InterLock, the seatpost-mounted bike lock }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  8. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://bikebiz.com/interlock-succeeds-in-crowdfunding-aim-to-develop-security-seatpost/ | InterLock succeeds in crowdfunding aim to develop security seatpost }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  9. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://electricbikereport.com/interlock-seatpost-lock-review/ | InterLock Seatpost & “Hidden” Lock Review }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://solgaard.co/pages/our-story | Our Story }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  11. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://solgaard.co/collections/luggage | Luggage }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  12. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/solgaarddesign/lifepack-hustle-backpack-and-solar-shoulder-bag/description | Lifepack Hustle: Solar + Anti-theft backpack & shoulder bag }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  13. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://solgaard.co/products/carry-on-closet | Carry-On Closet (product page) }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  14. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2018/5455672/the-carry-on-closet/ | The Carry-on Closet Is One of TIME's Best Inventions of 2018 }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-25 | Accessed: 2025-10-25. }}
  15. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solgaard-launches-mono-material-fully-circular-backpack-a-red-dot-2023-product-design-award-winner-301809258.html | Solgaard Launches Mono-Material, Fully Circular Backpack, a Red Dot 2023 Product Design Award Winner }} {{#if: PR Newswire | PR Newswire. }} {{#if: 2025-10-28 | Accessed: 2025-10-28. }}
  16. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solgaard-achieves-plastic-negative-sustainability-goal-301307564.html | Solgaard Achieves ‘Plastic Negative’ Sustainability Goal }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-25 | Accessed: 2025-10-25. }}
  17. ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/news/solgaard-cleans-up-three-million-pounds-of-ocean-bound-plastic-in-cooperation-with-the-solgaard-nyx-foundation-and-impact-partners | Solgaard Cleans Up Three Million Pounds of Ocean-Bound Plastic }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: 2025-10-25 | Accessed: 2025-10-25. }}

External links

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