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
Tony Corbin
Investing in Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) &b...
Menlo Park , San Fran..., U.S.A. - Israel - 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, Icelan
Previous Investments
• Vayyar Imaging:
$109000000 (Later stage VC)
• VDOO:
$57000000 (Later stage VC)
• Cloudleaf:
$26000000 (Later stage VC)
• Fakespot:
(Series A)
• Fakespot:
$4000000 (Series A)
• Sumatra:
$2000000 (Seed)
• MRGN:
(Pre Seed)
• MRGN:
(Pre-Seed)
• Ash Wellness:
$3000000 (Seed)
• Ash Wellness:
(Seed+)
• AppliedXL:
$4000000 (Seed)
• AssetDash:
(Pre Seed)
• Tabula:
$3000000 (Pre Seed)
• Naya:
$6000000 (Seed)
• Thorium Data:
$100000 (Pre Seed)
• OpenAxis:
$2000000 (Pre Seed)
• CACTIVATE:
(Pre Seed)
• Grin Gaming:
(Seed)
• Grin Gaming:
(Seed)
• Docket:
(Seed)
• Ask Vera:
(Seed)
• UrsaLeo:
(Seed+)
• Cactivate:
(Pre-Seed)
• Clearforce:
(Seed)
• Paragon Intel:
(Seed+)
• Intrro:
(Seed)
• Bazze:
(Pre-Seed)
• Asset Dash:
(Pre-Seed)
• Finicast:
$13000000 (Seed)
• Very Good Ventures:
$3000000 (Series A)
• Very Good Ventures:
$3000000 (Series A)
• Prellis Biologics:
$35000000 (Series C)
• Prellis Biologics:
$15000000 (Series B)
• Biomason:
$65000000 (Series C)
• Home Delivery Service (HDS Global):
$5000000 (Series Unknown)
• Rizzle:
$17000000 (Convertible Note)
• EnTribe:
$3000000 (Seed)
• Atonarp:
$50000000 (Series D)
• Atonarp:
$2000000 (Series B)
• Atonarp:
$4000000 (Series A)
• Boom Supersonic:
$50000000 (Series C)
• Extend:
$16000000 (Series A)
• Quartic.ai:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Globality:
$27000000 (Series B)
• Globality:
$10000000 (Series A)
• BangDB:
(Seed)
• Reaction:
$10000000 (Series A)
• Reaction:
$2000000 (Seed)
• Shipster:
(Seed)
• H2O.ai:
$9000000 (Series A)
• Trove:
$5000000 (Series A)
• FUTR Corp.:
$5000000 (Seed)
• Yellowsmith:
$850000 (Seed)
• Printi:
$1000000 (Series A)
• GoPro:
$88000000 (Series A)
Tony Corbin
Menlo Park - San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A. - Israel - 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, Icelan
Riverwood Capital is a globally-focused private equity firm that invests in high-growth businesses in the technology and services industries, across a variety of verticals and geographies. Riverwood has offices in Menlo Park, CA and New York, NY and currently has more than 20 investments in North America, Latin America and Asia. The firm's current fund has $780 million of committed capital. The final fund close was in April 2011. Riverwood invests in mid-market technology and technology enabled products and services. The firm defines mid-market as approximately $100-$500 million in revenue for product companies, and approximately $25-$150 million in revenue for software and services. Riverwood occasionally invests outside these ranges. Riverwood invests on a global basis, having already invested in the U.S., Israel, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. The firm's normal investment size ranges from $25-75 million.
Max Rimpel
Investing in Businesses Solutions
New York, U.S.A. - U.K. - 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,
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:
• Taxfix:
(mid stage)
• arfa, Inc.:
(early stage)
• Personio:
(mid stage)
• ComplyAdvantage:
(mid stage)
• Typeform.com:
(late stage)
• Chalk:
$10000000 (Seed)
• Bandana:
$4000000 (Seed)
• ChannelEngine:
$50000000 (Series B)
• Enigma:
(Seed)
• cargo.one:
$42000000 (Series B)
• cargo.one:
$19000000 (Series A)
• Layer:
$5000000 (Seed)
Max Rimpel
New York, U.S.A. - U.K. - 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,
Investing In
Businesses Solutions
Description
Principal at Index Ventures
Principal at Index Ventures
Andris K. Berzins
Investing in Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) &b...
Backing ambitious Baltic founders from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, building global success stories.
Most Interested In
The best Baltic founders building global businesses.
Not Interested In
Any investments that don't have Baltic founders - sorry, but it is outside our investment scope.
Founders who don't have the "grit" (passion and perseverance) to build big, global, scalable businesses.
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.
Media • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Entertainment (& Sports) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Future Of Work • Mobility
Jessica Schultz
Investing in Businesses Solutions • Future O...
Chicago - Illinois, U.S.A. - Sweden - U.K.
Previous Investments
• Flink:
$52000000 (Seed Round)
• fuboTV:
$55000000 (Later stage VC)
• FreightHub:
$20000000 (Early stage VC)
• Lumexis:
$15000000 (Later stage VC)
• HappyOrNot:
$14500000 (Early stage VC)
• Personio:
$12000000 (Early stage VC)
• Labster:
$10000000 (Early stage VC)
• Kahoot!:
$10000000 (Early stage VC)
• Microfabrica:
$8000000 (Later stage VC)
• Bunch (video chat):
$8000000 (Early stage VC)
• Akimbo:
$4000000 (Later stage VC)
• CopperKey:
$2200000 (Later stage VC)
• BiggerBoat:
$2000000 (Early stage VC)
• Neverthink:
$1400000 (Seed Round)
• NeuroVigil:
(Later stage VC)
• Keeps:
(Other)
• Einride:
$200000000 (Series C)
• Einride:
$110000000 (Series B)
• Dalma.:
$16000000 (Series A)
• Flink Food:
$750000000 (Series B)
• Flink Food:
$52000000 (Seed)
• Matsmart:
$27000000 (Series C)
• Matsmart:
$18000000 (Series Unknown)
• Matsmart:
$3000000 (Series Unknown)
• Matsmart:
$8000000 (Series Unknown)
• Matsmart:
$4000000 (Series Unknown)
• Matsmart:
$4000000 (Series Unknown)
• NA-KD.com:
$23000000 (Series B)
• NA-KD.com:
$45000000 (Series B)
• NA-KD.com:
$15000000 (Seed)
• Red Points:
$38000000 (Series C)
• Red Points:
$12000000 (Series B)
• Red Points:
$14000000 (Series B)
• Lesara:
$40000000 (Series C)
• Lesara:
$17000000 (Series B)
• Lemoncat:
$7000000 (Series Unknown)
• Outfittery:
$22000000 (Series E)
• Outfittery:
$20000000 (Series C)
Jessica Schultz
Chicago - Illinois, U.S.A. - Sweden - U.K.
Investing In
Businesses Solutions • Future Of Work
Description
Venture Partner at Forum Ventures · Contract
Joo Monteiro
Investing in Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) &b...
Zurich , : Germany Fr..., U.S.A.
Previous Investments
• VonZu Tech:
(Angel Investment)
• Monese:
(Seed)
• EstateGuru:
(Angel)
• Bondora AS:
(Angel Round)
• Taxly.ch:
(Angel)
• Repositive:
(Angel)
• Hometouch:
(Seed)
• Eisbach Bio:
(Seed)
• TransactionLink:
$5000000 (Seed)
• Una Brands:
$30000000 (Series B)
• FINN:
$110000000 (Series B)
• FINN:
$24000000 (Series A)
Joo Monteiro
Zurich - : Germany France Italy Spain Poland Romania Netherlands Belgium Czech Republic Greece Portugal Sweden Hungary Austria Switzerland Denmark Finland Slovakia Norway Ireland Luxembourg M, U.S.A.
: 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.
Linus Dahg
Investing in Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) &b...
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