RosholmDell - A committed partner

Martin Dell, co-founder RosholmDell

When the plans to initiate Sweden Startup Nation as a national knowledge platform to strengthen Sweden's startup and scaleup ecosystem took shape, it was RosholmDell Law Firm was the first official partner to get on board. For Martin Dell and his team, the decision was obvious - this was a chance to have a real impact.

"We know that there are similar organizations in other countries, like Tech Innovation: Startup Nation Central in Israel and Techleap in the Netherlands. I see an opportunity to make an impact at the national level, especially when it comes to policy issues and international cooperation. Sweden Startup Nation can become a powerful voice that unites the ecosystem and drives issues that really make a difference" says Martin Dell.

RosholmDell sees the initiative as a way to create a unified, strategic platform that can address the overarching issues that divide the Swedish ecosystem today. A national actor based on real knowledge and data about the target group that can raise policy issues and act as a long-term interlocutor for both Swedish and international actors.

RosholmDell's driving force and vision

RosholmDell was founded in 2011 by Anders Rosholm and Martin Dell, who left their careers at Mannheimer Swartling to create something of their own. The goal was clear from the start - to build a new firm around a clearly articulated culture, where legal products are delivered with a genuine client focus and LEAN as the method for business development.

For RosholmDell, engaging with startups is more than just a business area - it's a fundamental part of their culture. It started as a passionate interest of a few employees and has now grown to become a strategic focus.

"We noticed that some of our lawyers really had a passion for the startup ecosystem and it became a way for us to attract and retain the best talent," says Mr. Dell.

Working with start-ups requires a different mindset than traditional law. "It's a journey to learn how to work with this type of company. Startups are based on taking risks, while lawyers are trained to avoid risks. It's a meeting of two worlds that we need to understand," explains Dell.

At the same time, RosholmDell has witnessed the ability of startups to profoundly change society. "These companies have the capacity to create real change. If we do a good job and give them the right support, we can help them scale faster," he says.

Challenges for startups - and how Sweden Startup Nation can help

Martin Dell sees that many startups in Sweden face the same kind of obstacles. In addition to complicated and bureaucratic regulations, there are cultural challenges. "There is a tendency in Sweden to look down on entrepreneurs when they become successful. A suspicion and sometimes even gloating when something fails," he says.

Overregulation is another significant problem. "The EU has developed over 100 000 laws. For startups trying to navigate through this, it can feel completely impossible," notes Martin Dell.

"We hope to contribute with both legal expertise and our network. We want to spread the initiative and use our experience from working with startups to identify and solve problems that might otherwise hamper development," says Martin Dell.

Looking to the future and inspiring others

Looking ahead a few years, Martin Dell hopes that Sweden Startup Nation has created a better showcase for Swedish startups, attracted more qualified capital and influenced policy in a direction that favors entrepreneurs.

"Hopefully, Sweden Startup Nation has also influenced policy to better enable entrepreneurs to succeed. Simplifying regulations, shortening permit processes and making procurement systems more accessible to startups could make a huge difference. It's about creating an environment where entrepreneurs can act quickly and make decisions without being hampered by unnecessarily complicated regulations and bureaucracy."

Finally, Martin Dell urges other business actors to seize the opportunity and get involved in Sweden Startup Nation. Do it! See it as a unique chance to be part of a journey that can make a real difference."