The world's best startup nation
starts with knowledge

Let us introduce Sweden Startup Nation

Sweden Startup Nation (SSN) is an independent national actor that strengthens Sweden's innovation capacity by collecting, analyzing and making available data on startups and scaleups - to highlight their importance, reduce knowledge gaps and create better conditions for growth.

The initiative is led by BLING, FUHS, the Swedish Higher Education Institutions' Innovation Office and SISP, which together represent over 100 Swedish research and innovation environments from across the country.

Objective

Sweden Startup Nation will become Sweden's knowledge and expert organization for startups and scaleups.

Vision

Sweden should be the best country in the world to start and scale innovative businesses.

Data and analytics platform

A central platform for facts and insights about Swedish startups and scaleups

Data-driven
expertise

Provide authorities, policy makers and ecosystems with the basis for informed and data-driven decisions.

Publish insights
& reports

Spread knowledge about the Swedish tech scene and highlight challenges and opportunities for startups and scaleups.

Driving
policy making

Propose policies that strengthen the startup and scaleup ecosystem in Sweden.

Facilitating dialog
& collaboration

Be a meeting place for dialog and collaboration between founders, investors, policy makers and other key stakeholders.

International
link

Connecting Sweden to the EU and global initiatives, promoting international trade, investment and talent attraction. The image of Sweden as a leading innovation country.

  • "It is fairly easy to attract angel investors in the early phases, but when it comes to scaling up, it is more difficult and especially for us companies in deep tech. Swedish investors usually have a horizon of 5-7 years, which is far too short. Deeptech takes time, and no matter how much money there is, there are steps in development that cannot be shortened. It is a little easier for us to find international capital, but at the same time I think I see international investors going more often to other European countries. Swedish investors need to get better at investing in deep tech, and Sweden needs to get better at attracting international capital here. Otherwise, there is a risk that we will need to move our operations to where the capital is. If we do that, Sweden will lose both the opportunity for economic growth and to retain the technology we have developed in the country."

    Christina Lundbäck
    Founder & CEO, Surfcleaner
    and board member, CorPower Ocean

  • "As a founder, the company is like your own child. If the ecosystem is not good for the child, you look for another one. Sweden's ecosystem is fantastic in all early phases, but for real scale-up, now that we need to increase our production tenfold to meet customer demand, the conditions in Sweden are much worse. It's a great shame, because I want to build my company here more than anything!"


    Dr. Mamoun Taher
    Founder of Graphmatech

  • "As a small company in Sweden, you are often completely dependent on getting large companies on board. Without them, it is difficult to get support from both Swedish authorities and the EU. Business Sweden can help reach customers internationally, but even though the services are discounted for startups and scaleups, they are still too expensive. If Business Sweden is given a clearer mandate to significantly lower the price tag for this target group, it could have an immediate effect on these companies' internationalization journeys and, in the long run, Sweden's growth through increased exports."

    Edward Murray
    Founder and CEO, GreenIron

  • "Unfortunately, we are reluctant to recruit international students. On the one hand, it is uncertain whether the person in question will be able to stay in the country, and on the other hand, it is incredibly difficult to know how to do it correctly. We are afraid that mistakes on our part will have major consequences for the individual.


    Ramtin Massoumzadeh
    Founder & CEO, Quandify

  • Sweden has a unique opportunity to build the foundation for a new, modern, green industry that can lay the foundation for Swedish prosperity for generations. Long-term sustainable industry requires investment, and it is time to support those companies that are already green from the start. Sweden certainly provides support for research, but to maintain the leading position that many of the new Swedish industrial companies have, we must also support the journey of innovation from lab to profitability. If we do not, we risk seeing other countries overtake us in the green revolution, and thus also take the jobs and welfare that we could otherwise have kept in Sweden.


    Jenny Keisum
    Chief Evangelist Officer, X Shore

Latest news

Here you can see some of our latest news and learn more about Sweden Startup Nation, the people behind it and our partners who make it possible.

What's new
"We build bridges in the ecosystem" - Özge Özen Zink on SEB's entrepreneurial ladder and the opportunities of future entrepreneurship
"We build bridges in the ecosystem" - Özge Özen Zink on SEB's entrepreneurial ladder and the opportunities of future entrepreneurship

Özge Özen Zink, head of SEB's entrepreneurial ladder, wants to build bridges in the entrepreneurial ecosystem - from school to scaleup. She points to the scaleup gap and the need for more inclusive capital flows, but also sees great opportunities: with the right collaborations, Sweden can become a catalyst for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Read More →
From research to the future: How to make Sweden a true startup nation
From research to the future: How to make Sweden a true startup nation

During the Almedalen week gathered the Sweden Startup Nation brought together actors from academia, business, the public sector and the startup scene for a sharp conversation about what it takes for more research-intensive companies to become scalable - here in Sweden, not in Silicon Valley. From lack of capital and tough regulations to the ability to attract and retain international talent - there is much we can and must do better.

Read More →
Why Sweden lost MARLEQ - insights from global entrepreneur Milo Radulovic
Why Sweden lost MARLEQ - insights from global entrepreneur Milo Radulovic

Milo Radulovic, founder of the global job coaching platform MARLEQ, wanted to build his company in Sweden - but was hindered by red tape and a lack of support for international entrepreneurs. Despite strong innovation environments, he was forced to choose Estonia, where the process was fast, digital and open.

He calls for a Swedish start-up visa, easier routes into the ecosystem and more accessible funding. Sweden's strengths are there - but without reforms, the country risks falling behind.

Read More →
Sweden has the research - but lacks customers and technological optimism
Sweden has the research - but lacks customers and technological optimism

David Sonnek, CEO of Navigare Ventures, warns that Swedish deeptech start-ups risk moving abroad because Sweden is often not their first customer. Despite strong research and competent innovation support, there is no government demand for new technologies. Public procurement rarely promotes innovation, and Swedish industry is characterized by short-termism and technological scepticism.

Sonnek calls for more role models among researchers turned entrepreneurs, as well as a national narrative that strengthens Sweden's attractiveness for investment in cutting-edge technologies.

Read More →

You can meet us here

  • Next Level Community AW

    16.09.25 17:30-19:00

    Welcome to the after work during Nordic Tech Week! Sweden Startup Nation and RosholmDell invite the startup community to an evening of pizza, wine, beer and exciting conversations about one of the most current policy proposals in the EU - the 28th regime, a unified regulatory framework for innovative companies across Europe.

  • Swedish Innovation Day & Science Week

    7-9.10.25

    During Science Week and Sweden's Innovation Riksdag 2025, leading voices come together to shape the future of society, industry and skills supply. You will of course meet Sweden Startup Nation there.

  • GBG Tech Week

    14-16.10.25

    The tech community in West Sweden will gather for three packed days at The Yard, World of Volvo, plus partner activities in the city. There will be insights on AI adoption, growth strategies and opportunities for networking, partnership and inspiration.

  • Slush

    19-20.11.25

    We'll be at the world's leading startup event in Helsinki to network, share insights and empower Sweden's startups and scaleups on the global stage.

  • Nordic Tech Week

    15-19.11.25

    Nordic Tech Week is the world's first fully open tech conference that celebrates, inspires and empowers the next generation of innovators. One of the initiators of Sweden Startup Nation, Stina Lantz, will be part of a panel.

  • The 33 list

    3.12.25

    Ny Teknik's annual award that highlights Sweden's most promising technology startups with innovative solutions and scalable business models, often in areas such as AI, sustainable energy, medical technology and space technology. Stina Lantz from Sweden Startup Nation Nation will participate in a panel discussion in the program.

  • Pre-location

    8.12.25

    The final of För-orten, a national competition that aims to highlight entrepreneurs from Sweden's suburbs and give them tools and support to realize their ideas. The competition is organized by BLING, one of the organizers behind Sweden Startup Nation , who will be participating in the program.

Join us in making Sweden
the best innovation country in the world .

Are you committed to driving innovation and strengthening Sweden's ecosystem for startups and scaleups? Whether you are a private investor, public actor or just curious about how you can support Sweden Startup Nation, we want to hear from you. Let's create change-together.