Portrait of Rune at 17

Hi, my name is Rune. I’m 18 years old, have big dreams
and a drive to turn them into reality.
Passionate about building things that make a real difference in people’s lives.

The Start—Realizing the Power of Choice

As a kid, I struggled to let go of experiences. I hated the thought of growing up because it felt like I was constantly losing pieces of my past to time.

At age 8, I went to therapy for two years, which helped somewhat. But what truly shifted my mindset was the thought that if I was going to grow up, I would choose a future that excites me—a future where I feel free, just like when I was younger.

This realization—the power of choice—became my main drive. I understood that life doesn’t happen to you, but is the result of what you choose. So from then on, I promised myself to choose the path that would lead to my dream life.

Signpost with many great cities as destination
A wall full of quotes

My Journey—Acquiring Knowledge and Skills

At age 14, I realized that building an app could be the perfect way to bring value to as many lives as possible. So I started learning programming through online courses. I learnt with CodeWithChris for over two years and sharpened my design skills with Design+Code.

At the same time, I dove into self-education—studying topics like self-improvement, finance, and how to make dreams happen. There was no way I would not achieve my dream—and there still isn’t. 😉

The Swift Student Challenge—My Contribution to the World

Last year, I discovered the Swift Student Challenge by Apple. I saw it as a chance to level up by building a complete app from start to finish. Win or lose, I knew the experience would be priceless.

I decided to channel everything I’d learned about goal-setting and self-improvement into one idea: GoalPilot, an app to help people pursue their dreams with clarity and structure. That way, I would be able to help people just like me!

I gave it everything, working daily until it was done. Then I submitted my entry—with a dedicated motivation letter—to Apple.

And it paid off: I was selected as a 2025 Swift Student Challenge Distinguished Winner!

Now, I’m working to share GoalPilot with the world. I truly hope it adds value to your life—and I’d love to hear your thoughts. So don’t hesitate to share your feedback!

Visual of Apple swift student winner