Sweden has a highly innovative startup ecosystem, with Stockholm being a major global tech hub. As of 2023, Sweden is home to around 8,000 startups. The Swedish government supports innovation through initiatives like Vinnova, which provides funding and resources for startups. In 2022, Swedish startups raised approximately €4 billion in venture capital. These factors collectively highlight Sweden's dynamic and evolving startup landscape.
Size of the Market
As of 2023, Sweden's startup ecosystem includes around 8,000 startups. In 2022, these startups attracted approximately €4 billion in venture capital funding. This substantial investment underscores the ecosystem's growth potential and robust nature. The market's size and financial backing reflect its capacity to foster innovation and sustain a competitive edge within Europe and beyond.
Key Strengths
Sweden's startup ecosystem is characterized by several key strengths, including a high level of digitalization, a strong education system, and a favorable business environment. The country excels in sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and cleantech. These strengths are bolstered by Sweden's robust industrial base and government support, positioning it as a leader in the European startup scene.
Major Hubs
Stockholm is the primary hub of Sweden’s startup ecosystem, known for its strengths in fintech, healthtech, and cleantech. The city attracts significant investments and has produced notable unicorns like Klarna and Spotify. Gothenburg and Malmö also have vibrant startup scenes, particularly in automotive tech and gaming, respectively. These cities are instrumental in driving Sweden's economic growth and technological advancements.
Emerging Hubs
In addition to Stockholm, emerging hubs like Uppsala and Lund are gaining prominence in Sweden’s startup ecosystem. Uppsala is known for its strengths in biotech and pharmaceuticals, while Lund is becoming a hub for advanced manufacturing and nanotechnology. These emerging hubs are expanding the reach and diversity of Sweden’s entrepreneurial landscape, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth.
Support Systems
Sweden’s startup ecosystem benefits from a strong network of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces that provide essential support and resources for entrepreneurs. Initiatives like Stockholm Innovation & Growth (STING) and SUP46 have significantly boosted the ecosystem by offering mentorship, resources, and international exposure. This supportive infrastructure is crucial for nurturing early-stage companies and fostering a collaborative entrepreneurial environment.
Challenges
Despite its strengths, the Swedish startup ecosystem faces challenges such as high taxes and regulatory complexities. Navigating these hurdles can be time-consuming and complex for startups. Addressing these issues requires strategic efforts and supportive policies to sustain growth and competitiveness in the global market.
Opportunities and Future Outlook
Sweden has significant opportunities for growth in sectors like fintech, healthtech, and cleantech. The country's strong focus on sustainability and green technology drives innovation in renewable energy and environmental technologies. Sweden's strategic location in Europe provides startups with opportunities for international expansion. With continued investment and innovation, Sweden's startup ecosystem is poised for further growth, contributing significantly to the European and global markets.
Resilience and Adaptability
Sweden's startup ecosystem demonstrates remarkable resilience and adaptability. The country's commitment to innovation, coupled with strong government and institutional support, enables startups to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities. The diverse talent pool and high level of digitalization attract entrepreneurs and investors alike, ensuring sustained growth and success in the face of global economic shifts and market dynamics.
How to connect with Angel Investors in Sweden?
Top Angel Investors
Sweden's startup ecosystem benefits from the support of influential angel investors who provide crucial early-stage funding and mentorship. Prominent figures include Hjalmar Winbladh, co-founder of Wrapp and an active angel investor, and Jane Walerud, a serial entrepreneur and investor in tech startups. These investors typically contribute between €50,000 and €500,000 per deal, offering not only capital but also strategic guidance and industry expertise. Their involvement is essential for the growth and development of early-stage companies, helping them navigate initial challenges and scale effectively.
Leading Venture Capital Firms
Sweden's venture capital landscape is driven by leading firms that provide substantial investments into high-growth startups. Firms such as Northzone, Creandum, and EQT Ventures are at the forefront, funding sectors including technology, health, and fintech. Northzone, for instance, has a diverse portfolio that includes companies like Spotify, Klarna, and iZettle. These firms typically engage in Series A to Series C funding rounds, with investment sizes ranging from €1 million to €50 million, facilitating significant scaling opportunities for startups.
Investment Size and Scope
The size and scope of investments in Sweden's startup ecosystem vary, catering to different stages of business growth. Early-stage investments, often provided by angel investors, range from €50,000 to €2 million. For growth-stage companies, venture capital firms offer larger funding rounds, typically between €5 million and €50 million. The scope of these investments spans various sectors, including AI, biotechnology, fintech, and cleantech, reflecting the diverse and dynamic nature of Sweden's entrepreneurial landscape.
Number of Investments
Sweden's venture capital and angel investment activity are robust, with a significant number of deals annually. In 2022, over 300 venture capital deals were recorded, amounting to approximately €4 billion in investments. This high level of activity underscores the vibrancy of the Swedish startup ecosystem, with both angel investors and venture capital firms actively seeking out and funding promising startups across a broad spectrum of industries.
Future Outlook of the Investment Market
The future outlook for Sweden's investment market is highly optimistic. With a continued emphasis on innovation and technology, sectors such as AI, biotechnology, and clean technology are expected to drive substantial growth. Government support through initiatives like Vinnova further bolsters the ecosystem. As global interest in sustainable and innovative solutions increases, Sweden's startups are well-positioned to attract significant international investments, fostering an environment ripe for continued expansion and success.
Support and Mentorship
Support and mentorship are critical components of Sweden's startup ecosystem. Angel investors and venture capitalists often provide more than just financial backing; they offer strategic advice, industry connections, and operational support. Programs like Stockholm Innovation & Growth (STING) and SUP46 enhance this support, offering structured mentorship, resources, and access to capital. This comprehensive support system helps startups navigate early challenges and scale effectively.
Government and Institutional Support
The Swedish government and various institutions play a pivotal role in nurturing the startup ecosystem. Initiatives such as Vinnova and support from organizations like Almi Invest provide substantial financial support and incentives. Additionally, entities like the Swedish Energy Agency offer grants, loans, and advisory services. This extensive support infrastructure is vital for fostering innovation, reducing financial barriers, and promoting sustainable growth within the startup community.
Conclusion
Sweden's startup ecosystem is bolstered by top angel investors, leading venture capital firms, and extensive support systems. With a diverse range of investment sizes and scopes, the market is poised for significant growth. The future outlook remains positive, driven by innovation, government support, and a collaborative environment. As Sweden continues to attract global investments and foster entrepreneurial talent, it stands to become a key player in the global startup landscape, contributing to advancements across various high-growth sectors.
Case Studies: Successful Funding Rounds with Angel Investors on Angels Partners
An experienced investor and strategic operator in technology companies having spent 6 years in Yahoo!s strategy and M&A team and working in the venture capial industry since the beginning of 2006. I've been privileged to be involved in investments in Top10, ROLI, TrademarkNow, Tictail, Lovecrafts, Thread, Spotify, YPlan, Hailo, Qype (sold to Yelp), Livebookings, Artfinder, Eyeem, BonusBox, Readmill (sold to Dropbox), HowDo, SumAll, Zopa and many more!
Specialties: venture capital (VC), private equity, corporate development (corp dev), mergers & acquisitions, private equity, strategy development, operational improvement, financial management, corporate finance, financial planning, financial modelling, financial control, due diligence, competitive analysis, market analysis
Shardul Shah
Investing in Media • Businesses Solutions &b...
South San Francisco ,..., U.S.A. - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland, Monaco
Previous Investments
• Climax Foods:
$44017000000 (Later stage VC)
• Starburst Data:
$118000000 (Later stage VC)
• Fast (Application Software):
$102000000 (Later stage VC)
• Wealthfront:
$75000000 (Later stage VC)
• Duo Security:
$70000000 (Later stage VC)
• Kano Computing:
$28000000 (Later stage VC)
• Figma:
$25000000 (Later stage VC)
• Built Technologies, Inc.:
$21000000 (Early stage VC)
• Behavox:
$20000000 (Later stage VC)
• Less:
$19000000 (Early stage VC)
• Homebell:
$11000000 (Later stage VC)
• Scoop Technologies:
$10600000 (Early stage VC)
• Trouva:
$10000000 (Early stage VC)
• Spendesk:
$8000000 (Early stage VC)
• Gremlin Inc:
$7500000 (Early stage VC)
• Linear:
$4200000 (Early stage VC)
• Supersolid:
$4000000 (Early stage VC)
• Pitch Software:
• NGINX, Inc.:
(mid stage)
• Koality:
• Outbrain:
(mid stage)
• Q6 Cyber:
• Bankjoy:
(early stage)
• Fundomate:
(early stage)
• Street Invoice:
• DoubleBeam/GoPago acquired by Verifone February 2015:
(early stage)
• VStock Transfer:
• Zipmark Inc.:
(early stage)
• SRSrun:
• Wiz:
$300000000 (Series D)
• Wiz:
$250000000 (Series C)
• Wiz:
$130000000 (Series B)
• Wiz:
$100000000 (Series A)
• Expel:
$31000000 (Series E)
• Expel:
$140000000 (Series E)
• Expel:
$50000000 (Series D)
• Expel:
$40000000 (Series C)
• Footprint:
$6000000 (Seed)
• Indent:
$6000000 (Pre Seed)
• Dazz:
$50000000 (Series A)
• BrightHire:
$21000000 (Series B)
• BrightHire:
$13000000 (Series A)
• Reclaim.ai:
$5000000 (Seed)
• Coalition:
$180000000 (Series D)
• Meroxa:
$4000000 (Seed)
• Gatsby:
$28000000 (Series B)
• Iterable:
$60000000 (Series D)
• Iterable:
$50000000 (Series C)
• Iterable:
$23000000 (Series B)
• AttackIQ:
$18000000 (Series B)
• AttackIQ:
$9000000 (Series A)
• Brightback:
$11000000 (Series A)
• Castle:
$9000000 (Series A)
• Signal Sciences:
$35000000 (Series C)
• Signal Sciences:
$15000000 (Series B)
• Signal Sciences:
$10000000 (Series A)
• Capsule8:
$3000000 (Seed)
• Datadog:
$95000000 (Series D)
• Datadog:
$31000000 (Series C)
• Datadog:
$15000000 (Series B)
• Datadog:
$6000000 (Series A)
• Adallom:
$30000000 (Series C)
• Adallom:
$15000000 (Series B)
• Lacoon Mobile Security:
$8000000 (Series A)
Shardul Shah
South San Francisco - San Francisco Bay Area - California, U.S.A. - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland, Monaco
Investing In
Media • Businesses Solutions • A.I. (& Big Data) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Future Of Work
Description
Index Ventures
Most Interested In
Open Source
Marek Olszewski
Investing in Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) &b...
San Francisco Bay Area, Germany - U.S.A. - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Icela
Previous Investments
• CodeFights:
$2500000 (Seed Round)
• Capsule Wallets:
(Seed)
• Remox:
(Pre Seed)
• Numoen:
$1000000 (Seed)
• CyberBox:
$150000 (Seed)
• impactMarket:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Paychant:
$400000 (Pre Seed)
• Ari Swap:
$700000 (Pre Seed)
• Payourse:
$600000 (Pre Seed)
• Coinprofile:
$600000 (Pre Seed)
• Netra:
$500000 (Convertible Note)
• CodeSignal:
$3000000 (Seed)
• Accion Systems:
$2000000 (Seed)
Marek Olszewski
San Francisco Bay Area, Germany - U.S.A. - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Icela
Dr. Marek Olszewski is a Co-Founder of Celo. He is a Co-Founder and served as the Chief Technology Officer at Locu. Prior to Locu, Marek was a senior PhD candidate at MIT CSAIL. He is a Facebook Fellow and the recipient of the J. Edgar McAllister Fellowship. He has prior work experience at a number of technology companies including Google, Microsoft (Research) and Sun (Labs). He is also an angel investor.
Sriram Krishnan
Investing in Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) &b...
New York City, U.S.A. - Singapore - Sweden
Previous Investments
• Digits:
(Series A)
• mParticle:
$35000000 (Series C)
• Gregarious, Inc.:
$5400000 (Seed Round)
• Gregarious Inc.:
$5400000 (Seed Round)
• Wardrobe:
$1500000 (Seed Round)
• Wardrobe:
$1500000 (Pre Seed Round)
• UtilizeCore:
$17000000 (Series A)
• UtilizeCore:
$6000000 (Seed)
• Cycle App:
$6000000 (Series Unknown)
• Oyster:
$4000000 (Seed)
• Goldcast:
$10000000 (Seed)
• Canvas:
$2000000 (Angel)
• TranZact:
$7000000 (Series A)
• CreditBook:
$11000000 (Seed)
• Massive:
$11000000 (Seed)
• Akudo:
$4000000 (Seed)
• inai:
$4000000 (Seed)
• Airbase:
$60000000 (Series B)
• Syndicate:
$800000 (Seed)
• Typedream:
(Seed)
• Greg:
$5000000 (Seed)
• BukuWarung:
(Seed)
• Flux:
$3000000 (Seed)
• Grain:
$4000000 (Seed Round)
• Grain:
$4000000 (Seed)
• POSTMODA:
$2000000 (Pre Seed)
• Akash Systems:
$15000000 (Series A)
• Akash Systems:
$3000000 (Seed)
• CRED:
$25000000 (Series A)
• Maude:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Sweet:
$4000000 (Seed)
• Alter:
(Angel)
• Port of Mokha:
$1000000 (Seed)
• Clue:
(Seed)
• Pimlico:
$4000000 (Seed)
• Atlys:
$12000000 (Series A)
• Atlys:
$4000000 (Seed)
• Story Protocol:
$25000000 (Series A)
• Demox Labs:
$5000000 (Pre Seed)
• Polywork:
$28000000 (Series B)
• Polywork:
$13000000 (Series A)
• Zarta:
$6000000 (Seed)
• Here Not There Labs:
$26000000 (Series A)
• Aviator:
(Seed)
• Post News:
(Seed)
• Rye:
$14000000 (Seed)
• Lasso Labs:
$4000000 (Seed)
• Juno:
$18000000 (Series A)
• CreatorDAO:
$20000000 (Seed)
• Intros AI:
$1000000 (Pre Seed)
• Lightspark:
(Series A)
• Logseq:
$4000000 (Seed)
• Kindred:
$8000000 (Seed)
• Entri:
$7000000 (Series A)
• Prologue:
$23000000 (Series A)
• Cortex:
$15000000 (Series A)
• Kippa:
$3000000 (Pre Seed)
• Centered:
$4000000 (Series Unknown)
• LoveLocal (formerly m.Paani):
$19000000 (Series B)
Sriram Krishnan serves as a Vice President, Global Markets at Humin. Sriram also serves as Head of International Growth at Tinder. He managed new market expansion into/in APAC at Spotify. Before Spotify, he worked in management consulting and in technology startups in Europe and Asia. Sriram also serves as an Advisor at YouStake. He studied at the National University of Singapore and Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden. He also co-founded Cosmify. He served as Advisor at Jackson Square Ventures.
: Germany France Italy Spain Poland Romania Netherlands Belgium Czech Republic Greece Portugal Sweden Hungary Austria Switzerland Denmark Finland Slovakia Norway Ireland Luxembourg Malta Iceland Monaco, U.S.A.
Hampus Jakobsson serves as a Venture Partner at BlueYard Capital. Jakobsson was a Co-Founder and served as Board member & Vice President at The Astonishing Tribe. He serves as Advisor at Wave Ventures. He also serves as Board Member at Aula. Jakobsson is a Co-Founding Partner and serves as Partner at Nordic Makers. He is also the Founder of Malmo Startups. Earlier he served as the Chief Executive Officer and was a Co-Founder of Brisk.io. He is also a Board Member at Planeto. Prior to founding Dexplora, Hampus co-founded and led business development for TAT The Astonishing Tribe, which was acquired by Blackberry in 2010 for $150m. Hampus has a M.Sc. in Computer Science from Lund University.
Update to Terms of ServiceChris Murphy
Investing in Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) &b...
The Mezzanine and Private Equity Group of Hartford Investment Management is an active provider of capital to private equity markets. The Group provides direct mezzanine debt and equity, and can provide equity on a stand alone basis in support of leveraged transactions. In addition to its direct investment activities, the firm seeks to invest in top-performing, middle market private equity and mezzanine funds that will provide a source of co-investment opportunities. The Group typically invests between $5 million and $30 million in mezzanine financing and up to $10 million in equity financing within the United States and Canada. Selectively, the firm will also invest in top performing funds that target investments outside of its middle market focus. As of December 31, 2012, the firm managed approximately $1.8 billion in mezzanine and private equity assets and commitments.
Rodrigo Sepulveda
Investing in Advertising • Productivity
San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A. - France - Luxembourg - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg,
Previous Investments
• Culture Secrets:
(Seed Round)
• Demenager Facile:
(Seed Round)
• Holberton School:
$2000000 (Seed Round)
• RecargaPay:
(Convertible Note)
• Dott:
$100000000 (Series B)
• Dott:
$34000000 (Series A)
• Wizata:
$3000000 (Series A)
• Wizata:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Nannybag:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Nannybag:
(Convertible Note)
• Wefarm:
$13000000 (Series A)
• Smartrenting:
(Series A)
• Spire Global:
$40000000 (Series D)
• Spire Global:
$70000000 (Series C)
• Service:
(Convertible Note)
• Verse:
$5000000 (Series Unknown)
• OpenExo:
(Convertible Note)
• Pliops:
$30000000 (Series B)
• Salonkee:
$1000000 (Seed)
• Passbolt:
$530000 (Seed)
• Glose:
$3000000 (Series Unknown)
• Catalyte:
$27000000 (Series A)
• Tribe:
$3000000 (Seed)
• Tribe:
$3000000 (Seed)
• Tribe:
$500000 (Seed)
• Nektria:
$2000000 (Series A)
• itravel:
$2000000 (Series A)
• Attach:
(Seed)
• Boostable:
(Seed)
• Allmyapps:
(Series A)
• Manifest:
(Seed)
• Getaround:
$3000000 (Seed)
• amiando:
(Seed)
• Wavestorm:
(Seed)
Rodrigo Sepulveda
San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A. - France - Luxembourg - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg,
Investing In
Advertising • Productivity
Description
Most Interested In
Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, SpaceTech, DeepTech, AI, ML
Not Interested In
FinTech, AdTech, Ecommerce, CleanTech, BioTech
CEO at @sepulveda-capital. Managing Parter Expon Capital. Serial entrepreneur (5 founded, 3 sold). Invested in North America (CA, NY, FL), Europe (FR, DE, CH).
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