# Daniel Ek > Swedish businessman (born 1983) **Wikidata**: [Q901670](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q901670) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Ek) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/daniel-ek ## Summary Daniel Ek is a Swedish entrepreneur, computer scientist, and manager, best known as the co-founder and CEO of Spotify, a leading Swedish audio streaming service. Born in 1983, he has significantly influenced the technology and music industries through his work in online services and information technology. In 2022, he was recognized as one of the Time 100 most influential people. ## Biography - **Born:** February 21, 1983, in Vantörs parish, Sweden - **Nationality:** Sweden - **Education:** *Not specified in source material* - **Known for:** Founding Spotify; contributions to the music and internet industries - **Employer(s):** Spotify Ltd (Chief Executive Officer and Founder) - **Field(s):** Information technology, online services, music industry, Internet industry - **Residence:** Rågsved - **Languages:** Swedish, English ## Contributions Daniel Ek is most recognized for establishing Spotify, a Swedish audio streaming service that launched on April 23, 2006. As a computer scientist and entrepreneur operating in the information technology and music sectors, Ek utilized his background to develop a platform that fundamentally altered how audio content is distributed and consumed. Serving as the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Spotify Ltd, Ek has led the company from its inception to becoming a major player in the global internet industry. His work focuses on the intersection of online services and the music industry, providing a digital solution to audio streaming. Beyond product creation, Ek engages with broader industry dialogues, evidenced by his participation in events such as the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2013. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Daniel Ek's role at Spotify? A: Daniel Ek is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of Spotify Ltd, the Swedish audio streaming service that began operation in 2006. ### Q: What awards has Daniel Ek received? A: Daniel Ek was named "International Swede of the Year" in 2014 and received "The KTH Great Prize" in 2012. In 2022, he was listed in the Time 100. ### Q: What is Daniel Ek's background in technology? A: He is classified as a computer scientist and manager, with professional fields including information technology, online services, and the Internet industry. ## Why They Matter Daniel Ek matters because he bridged the gap between the information technology sector and the music industry through the creation of Spotify. By launching the service in 2006, he provided a scalable online service that shifted consumer behavior toward streaming. His influence extends globally, recognized by his inclusion in the Time 100 in 2022 and his receipt of the "International Swede of the Year" award in 2014. Without his contributions, the structure of the modern digital audio market would likely look significantly different, as he helped standardize streaming as a primary mode of consumption. ## Notable For - **Founder of Spotify:** Established the Swedish audio streaming service on April 23, 2006. - **Time 100:** Recognized as one of the most influential people in the world in 2022. - **International Swede of the Year:** Awarded in 2014 for his global impact. - **The KTH Great Prize:** Received this honor in 2012. - **Tech Leadership:** Functions as a computer scientist and manager in the Internet industry. ## Body ### Early Life and Personal Details Daniel Georg Ek was born on February 21, 1983, in Vantörs parish, Sweden. He holds Swedish citizenship and is a male computer scientist and entrepreneur. His full name in his native language is Daniel Georg Ek. He resides in Rågsved and speaks both Swedish and English. Ek has two children. ### Career and Spotify Ek's primary occupation is as an entrepreneur and manager in the information technology sector. He is the founder of Spotify, a Swedish audio streaming service which officially began on April 23, 2006. Ek is affiliated with Spotify Ltd, serving in the role of Founder and Chief Executive Officer. His work spans the music industry, Internet industry, and online services. ### Public Presence and Recognition Ek maintains a verified presence on social media platforms Twitter and Instagram under the handle **eldsjal**. He joined Twitter in December 2007. His career achievements have been marked by several prestigious awards: * **2012:** Recipient of The KTH Great Prize. * **2014:** Named International Swede of the Year. * **2022:** Included in the Time 100 list. He has also participated in global policy discussions, such as the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2013. ## References 1. Sveriges befolkning 2000 2. Companies House 3. Czech National Authority Database 4. [Source](https://www.thelocal.se/20140821/spotify-founders-wins-expat-of-the-year-award/) 5. [Source](https://www.today.com/news/time-reveals-100-most-influential-people-2017-check-out-full-t110588) 6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 7. Munzinger Personen 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. Davos 2013 Participant List 10. BBC Things 11. Quora 12. [LIBRIS. 2017](https://libris.kb.se/hftx5vg149xz7pb) 13. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/daniel-ek-107a4YrzeQ/appearances)