What Backapp does

Backapp is a privately held ergonomic furniture company headquartered in Anderstorp, Sweden (with a Norwegian head office in Auli), founded in 2004 by Dr. Freddy Johnsen, a physician who developed the product concept after undergoing multiple back surgeries attributed to conventional office seating. The company designs, manufactures, and sells a patented line of balance-based ergonomic chairs and accessories that engage the user's stabilizing back and core muscles while seated, using an adjustable 'Magic Ball' sphere and damping ring at the base of the chair. Its core product line comprises the Backapp Smart (premium aluminum-frame chair), Backapp Hipp (2020 lighter-weight recycled-plastic chair), the Backapp 360 standing balance board, and the Backapp Wheels caster accessory.

Backapp sells through a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce across 10+ European language markets plus a US storefront, a network of authorized retailers and distributors, and dedicated regional sales representatives handling B2B enterprise accounts across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland (with a wholly-owned Danish subsidiary, Backapp Danmark ApS). Pricing is one-time hardware: Backapp Smart starts at ~€740 ex-VAT and Backapp Hipp at ~€384 ex-VAT, with premium fabric upgrades (Alcantara, Elmosoft leather) as upsell levers. Products are assembled in Sweden using locally sourced components (within a 20 km radius), supported by Oeko-Tex fabric certification, ISO 11469 recyclability marking, EN 16139 and ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 safety testing, and certified LCA/EPDs.

The company serves three primary customer segments: office workers and desk professionals (primary), healthcare providers and physiotherapists who act as a referral channel (95.1% of 364 surveyed specialists would recommend Backapp), and enterprise/corporate employers procuring fleets to reduce sick leave and improve productivity. Documented enterprise deployments include Siemens, Toyota Danmark, Kongsberg Maritime, Ving, Lähi Tapiola, KGH Customs Services, Kamstrup, Tretton37, and OK energy, with field-trial outcomes showing 50% fewer employees with back pain, 38% fewer neck/shoulder complaints, and 35% productivity gains after six months. Cumulative installed base exceeds 130,000 users globally, supported by four peer-reviewed scientific studies and a 14-day free home trial used as the primary conversion mechanism.

Name

Backapp

Legal name

Back App Europe AB

Website

https://backapp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Backapp designs and sells patented ergonomic balance chairs that activate core muscles while sitting. The Sweden-based company serves office workers, enterprises, and physiotherapist-referred customers across 10+ European countries and the US via direct e-commerce and regional sales networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ergonomic Office Furniture

SIC

Office Furniture (2520)

akta.pro primary industry

Seating & Positioning Systems (Cushions, Backs, Pressure Relief) (HLAHAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Home Gym Systems & Smart Fitness Equipment Retail (Connected Mirrors, Smart Bikes, All-in-One Gyms) (CRAMADAG)

Keywords

• Ergonomic office chairs
• Balance seating technology
• Active sitting solutions
• Posture correction furniture
• Ergonomic balance boards

Headquarters

HQ city

Anderstorp

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ergonomic Chair Sales (Backapp Smart, Backapp Hipp): One-time hardware sales of ergonomic balance chairs. Backapp Smart is the premium original model (aluminum frame, premium materials). Backapp Hipp is the newer, lighter model made mainly from recycled plastics. Both chairs are sold in multiple configurations with different fabrics, frame colors, and ball colors. Prices start at approximately €384 for Backapp Hipp and €740 for Backapp Smart (excl. VAT).
2. Balance Board and Accessory Sales: Sale of complementary products including Backapp 360 balance board and Backapp Wheels (caster set for mobility). These are add-on accessories purchased alongside the main chair.
3. Fabric and Color Upgrades: Upsell revenue from premium fabric options including Alcantara (special colors with longer lead times up to 8 weeks), Elmosoft leather, and standard Nordic Wool and Palma Breathe synthetic leather options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Backapp designs, manufactures, and sells ergonomic balance chairs and balance boards built around its patented Magic Ball balance/damping technology. Users sit (or stand, on Backapp 360) on an adjustable sphere with feet on a foot ring, activating the body's balance motor to exercise stabilizing muscles of the back and core. The product line includes Backapp Smart (premium aluminum-frame chair), Backapp Hipp (lightweight recycled-plastic stool), and Backapp 360 (balance board), plus the Backapp Wheels mobility accessory. Sold direct-to-consumer via the company's own e-commerce site and 14-day home trial, and B2B through regional field sales and authorized retailers across 10+ European countries and the US.

Product overview

Backapp is an ergonomic office furniture company offering a suite of balance-based seating and standing products. The core product lineup includes the Backapp Smart (original premium balance chair with adjustable Magic Ball and aluminum frame), Backapp Hipp (2020 lightweight version with recycled plastics and soft flexible seat), and Backapp 360 (standing balance board using the same patented balance technology). Accessories include Backapp Wheels for mobility. All products use patented technology where users balance on an adjustable sphere while feet rest on a foot ring, activating core muscles and improving posture while burning at least 19% more energy than conventional office chairs. The products are designed and developed in Norway and produced in Sweden.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Backapp Smart: Original ergonomic balance chair with soft seat, aluminum underframe, and Magic Ball technology for balancing while sitting.
• Backapp Hipp
• Backapp 360
• Backapp Wheels

Products and services

• Backapp Smart Premium ergonomic balance chair for office and home-office users. The user balances on an adjustable Magic Ball with feet on a foot ring, activating the body's balance motor to exercise back and core muscles while seated. Aluminum underframe, premium fabrics, optional Backapp Wheels for mobility.
• Backapp Hipp Lightweight ergonomic balance stool using the same Magic Ball technology as Backapp Smart. Built mainly from recycled plastics with a soft, flexible seat and damping ring; intended as a more accessible, sustainable alternative for offices, home offices, and meeting rooms.
• Backapp 360 Standing balance board for office and home use. Uses the same patented adjustable Magic Ball/damping technology as the chairs, letting users balance gently on cushioned material while standing to exercise ankles, legs, hips, and back and improve circulation and posture. Sold as a complement to the chairs.
• Backapp Wheels Mobility accessory (caster wheel set) for Backapp Smart and Backapp Office chairs, made from 99.9% recycled die-cast aluminum in Silver Grey or Black Grey, enabling the chair to roll while preserving the balance/Magic Ball design.

Quantifiable outcome

• 19% higher energy expenditure while sitting on Backapp vs. conventional office chair
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Backapp Danmark ApScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDedicated Danish sales entity handling Backapp product distribution and sales in Denmark. Contact: +45 508 020 60.
• Moving-people GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss sales and distribution partner for Backapp products. Contact: +41 55 244 48 90.
• Innovation PRAXIScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman sales partner handling Backapp distribution in Germany. Contact: +49 4902 989 35 80.
• SINTEFminorOthersSINTEF conducted a study for NHO (Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise) showing that each absent employee costs an employer on average €254 per day. This data is used by Backapp to support the economic case for workplace ergonomics investment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Varier: Norwegian active-sitting chair maker (Variable balans, Move) built on the same balance/saddle-seating philosophy as Backapp. Both target posture-conscious office workers and home users, and both are Scandinavian-origin brands competing for the active-sitting niche.
• Aeris (Swopper / Muvman): German maker of the Swopper active-sitting chair and Muvman standing aid, both designed around 3D movement and balance while seated or standing. Directly comparable to Backapp in product philosophy (active sitting over backrest support) and in targeting ergonomic office and home-office buyers.
• Office Master: Specialist ergonomic office chair manufacturer offering task and executive seating with heavy emphasis on adjustability and ergonomic support. Comparable to Backapp in targeting the same office-seating procurement buyer with a focus on ergonomic differentiation.
• HÅG / Flokk: Scandinavian ergonomic office chair maker (HÅG, Giroflex, RH, Profim) under Flokk. Targets the same European ergonomic office buyer as Backapp and competes directly for enterprise ergonomic seating contracts, but with conventional backrest-based designs rather than balance spheres.

Broad incumbents

• Steelcase: Largest office furniture manufacturer globally (Gesture, Leap, Series 1). Targets the same corporate and enterprise customers as Backapp with a comprehensive seating portfolio; a major competitor in any European ergonomic seating RFP.
• Wilkhahn: German premium office furniture maker known for dynamic seating (IN, ON, AT). Closely comparable to Backapp in ergonomic philosophy (movement while sitting) and European enterprise target market, but with a much broader product line and global dealer presence.
• Humanscale: Global leader in ergonomic office furniture (Freedom chair, Smart Chair, monitor arms). Comparable as a premium ergonomic seating brand competing for the same enterprise wellness/ergonomics budget as Backapp, but with a much broader product portfolio and established global dealer network.
• Haworth: Global office furniture manufacturer (Soji, Zody, Very) with a strong ergonomic seating line. Competes with Backapp for the same enterprise ergonomic seating budget across Europe and globally, though with conventional backrest designs.
• Herman Miller / MillerKnoll: Iconic office furniture company (Aeron, Embody, Mirra 2) and parent of MillerKnoll. Competes with Backapp for the same enterprise ergonomic seating contracts at the premium end of the market, but with vastly greater scale, dealer footprint, and brand recognition.
• IKEA (Markus / office chairs): Mass-market furniture retailer whose Markus, JÄRVFJÄLLET, and other office chairs dominate the lower-priced end of ergonomic seating. Comparable to Backapp because IKEA defines the price/value benchmark that Backapp's €384-€740 positioning must justify against.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Backapp.SE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/back-app

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Backapp