Almega Tjänsteföretagen: A partner that invests in Sweden's future employers
Almega Tjänsteföretagen joins Sweden Startup Nation to support Sweden's next generation of employers. With deep expertise in the service sector and thousands of member companies behind it, Almega wants to lower the thresholds to the first employment, connect startups with established companies and contribute to a more fact-driven and long-term innovation system in Sweden.
Why Almega joins Sweden Startup Nation
Almega Tjänsteföretagen represents over 2,000 Swedish service companies in some thirty sectors. For Abbe Alzarzour, the decision to become a partner of Sweden Startup Nation (SSN) is about a clear long-term perspective: if you don't meet the growth companies of the future when they are small, it is difficult to reach them when they have grown.
"If we don't build relationships with startups early on, we won't have them when they grow up. Our partnership is about networking, brand building and eventually welcoming more growing service companies into Almega's community," says Abbe Alzarzour.
Abbe believes that the future requires a broader focus. Today's entrepreneurs and sole traders are tomorrow's employers - and SSN offers a neutral, data-driven platform where these relationships can emerge, grounded in facts and with a clear policy focus.
A partnership building the employer of the future
For Abbe, the partnership with Sweden Startup Nation is about both strengthening Almega Tjänsteföretagen's position among new growth companies and contributing to a more cohesive Swedish innovation system.
"We see Sweden Startup Nation as a platform where all of Sweden can speak with a common voice on startups and policy. There is strength in gathering data and insights that can drive real change, not least when it comes to making it easier for companies to start, grow and hire."
At the same time, Abbe points to a development that Almega wants to support - but which is also a challenge.
"We notice that many companies grow to a certain level and then hesitate when hiring their first employee. Regulations and employer contributions are perceived as complicated, and this makes people reluctant to take the step of becoming an employer. That's where we want to help and make the path easier."
Through the collaboration with Sweden Startup Nation , Almega hopes to establish itself as the natural choice for startups facing just that step - companies that are growing, scaling and starting to build their first teams.
Challenges - and how Almega wants to contribute to solutions
When describing the Swedish start-up climate, Abbe sees both strengths and obstacles. Sweden has a strong innovation heritage, but some structural issues risk slowing down growth.
"There are an incredible number of initiatives to help start-ups grow, seek capital and find investors. But many stop at a couple of people, because it is perceived as too complicated to become an employer. This is an obstacle to the entire innovation system."
Another area where Almega Tjänsteföretagen sees a need for improvement is the supply of skills. Many of their member companies have difficulty finding the right skills - at the same time as many new graduates have difficulty finding the right way in.
"There is a gap between the skills that companies are looking for and those available on the market. We believe that networks and collaborations, such as Sweden Startup Nation, can play a key role here. It's not just about recruiting, but about connecting companies, industries and people who can grow together."
Abbe also highlights the importance of managing complex regulations and EU directives in a way that fosters rather than hinders innovation.
"If Sweden is to remain a top innovation country, we need to simplify. We need a unified voice and a better basis for influencing policy. Through data, we can drive these issues smarter."
A bridge between startups and established businesses
Almega Tjänsteföretagen sees its role as an enabler - an organization that can contribute with both legal expertise and networks.
"We have many lawyers who are experts in the services sector, but also member companies that have gone from two employees to several thousand. It's a knowledge and a network we want to open up to startups. Many of our members have made the journey themselves."
Together with Sweden Startup Nation , Almega Tjänsteföretagen plans to organize joint events and knowledge exchanges between startups and larger companies. The aim is to create concrete meetings where innovation can be scaled and new collaborations can emerge.
Forward - a common voice for Swedish innovation
Looking ahead, Abbe hopes that the collaboration with Sweden Startup Nation Nation will contribute to both political influence and concrete results.
"I believe we will be able to showcase companies that have gone from startup to scaleup, while influencing policy with a strong, united voice. We don't want Swedish innovation to move abroad because the rules are easier there - we want Sweden to be the place where it is easiest to grow."
