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| {{Infobox person
| | #REDIRECT [[Adrian Solgaard]] |
| | name = Adrian Solgaard
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| | nationality = Norwegian, Canadian
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| | occupation = Inventor; entrepreneur
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| | known_for = Solgaard (Solgaard Design, Inc.)
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| | website = https://adriansolgaard.com/
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| '''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" />
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| == Early life ==
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| 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>
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| == Career ==
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| === InterLock seatpost lock ===
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| 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>
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| === Solgaard Design ===
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| '''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>
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| 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>
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| 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>
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| === Sustainability ===
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| 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>
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| 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>
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| == References ==
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| {{reflist}}
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| == External links ==
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| * [https://adriansolgaard.com/ Adrian Solgaard] (official website)
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| * [https://solgaard.co/ Solgaard] (official website)
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Solgaard, Adrian}}
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| [[Category:Living people]]
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| [[Category:Businesspeople]]
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| [[Category:Entrepreneur]]
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