At IKEA, we have a rich history of entrepreneurship. It all began in 1943 when at age 17, Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA, a small business about selling goods like pens and wallets. The heavy forests and stony soil of his home region Småland bred a tough, resourceful spirit into the very bones of IKEA. We've always been experts at making the most out of a little. And so, what once was a tiny mail order company in rural Sweden is now a global home furnishings brand that brings affordability, design and comfort to people all over the world. We may have come a long way since our humble beginnings, but our vision remains the same: to create a better everyday life for the many people. That’s why we’re here to support the future generations of small businesses today.