"We build bridges in the ecosystem" - Özge Özen Zink on SEB's entrepreneurial ladder and the opportunities of future entrepreneurship
This is part of Sweden Startup Nation's interview series with startup founders, investors and ecosystem actors. The aim is to highlight opportunities and ideas that can improve the conditions for Swedish startups and scaleups.
Özge Özen Zink is responsible for SEB's entrepreneurial ladder - a model that brings together the bank's initiatives and partnerships to support entrepreneurs from the idea stage to international expansion. She describes entrepreneurship as "the engine of society" and sees the staircase as a bridge that connects different actors. In an interview with Sweden Startup Nation , she talks about her experiences of supporting entrepreneurs, the opportunities and shortcomings she sees in the Swedish ecosystem - and her vision for how Sweden can become a catalyst for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
An ecosystem approach from school to scaleup
The Entrepreneurial Staircase illustrates the phases in the company's growth, from start-up where inspiration and planning are included, to growth where the company develops and grows, and finally the shelf phase, where role models share experiences and give back to the ecosystem, the cycle is closed. In the various stages of the Entrepreneurial Staircase, there are collaborations with leading organizations in Sweden, such as Young Enterprise, Venture Cup Sweden, Business Challenge, Prince Daniel's Fellowship, Yeos and New Builder of the Year, etc. In the value chain, SEB also has its own initiatives such as SEB Entrepreneur Camp, SEB Klubben, SEB Innovation Forum and SEB The Next Awards. These initiatives aim to 1. create curiosity for entrepreneurship, everyone can become an entrepreneur, 2. support 'financial inclusion' through a women's network and a business platform, 3. Innovation Forum where innovation meets venture capital and Next Awards that celebrate sustainable entrepreneurship.
- The systems thinking behind the staircase is to be there at all stages, with advice, capital and networks. It is very much about opening doors. Once an entrepreneur steps in, they often find their way around the ecosystem and meet role models who show what is possible," says Özge.
She sees SEB as the bridge between incubators, investors and the public sector - without competition, rather complementary in between:
- Incubators build early-stage businesses, investors provide capital, and the public sector often focuses on regional growth. We are the platform where it all comes together.
System deficiencies: from scale-up gaps to regulatory barriers
When asked about what is missing in the Swedish ecosystem, she particularly highlights the so-called scaleup gap.
- Many start-ups have good access to seed capital, but when the company needs to scale up, it becomes more difficult. The consequence can be that companies are sold abroad too early or move to where the capital is," she says.
She also argues that Sweden is strong on research, but weak on transforming it into scalable companies. Regulations and public support models are often too slow and project-based, which does not match the needs of fast-growing companies.
- Many companies are caught between being too big for incubators and too small for investors. National scale-up programs and more diversified venture capital are needed, not least from more female investors.
Inclusion and diversity as a growth issue
Özge is particularly passionate about inclusion and financial equality. She runs SEB's network Klubben, a business platform that brings together female entrepreneurs, business profiles and leaders, and sees a clear need for structural change.
- When society and investors meet entrepreneurs, it may be that they are coached to fit the template of their business plan, presentation, etc. It is important to be able to pitch your business idea according to criteria that need to be met to attract capital or expertise. But we also need to educate investors and make sure that bias does not control capital flows. An idea can be judged on its content rather than on the name or gender of the pitcher.
She also highlights the New Builder of the Year award, which highlights entrepreneurs with an international background, as a model of how success stories can help change the image of who can become an entrepreneur.
- Inclusion and diversity are not only fairness issues. It is profitable and leads to more creative solutions over time.
SEB's role going forward
For SEB, the next step is not about necessarily creating more initiatives, but about making visible and accessible the work that is already being done and developing collaborations that strengthen and expand the existing platform and continue to build long-term partnerships.
- We have contributed over SEK 40 billion to research and development through the Wallenberg Foundations, and the Entrepreneurial Ladder is part of that legacy. Our role is to build bridges, highlight good examples and contribute to social impact, real action.
She also stresses the importance of personal finance and entrepreneurship education early in school.
- If the word entrepreneurship were to be removed from the curriculum according to the new curriculum report, we risk losing an entire generation of business builders. We need to start already in school to shape the inventors and entrepreneurs of the future.
Framtidsspaning: från status quo till katalysator<
Özge is driven to challenge the status quo and create business for a better world. Her vision for Sweden is to become better at supporting entrepreneurs in the transition from startup to scaleup, while building a more inclusive ecosystem.
- We have a unique opportunity to become a catalyst for the next generation of entrepreneurs. We must continue to think systemically, strengthen and make available ecosystems, cycles where different actors can meet and look at entrepreneurship as an engine for social development and economic growth.
