Almi Invest
Stockholm, Sweden · IncubatorGovernment-backed investor and Sweden's most active seed fund with regional coverage.
IncubatorPre-Seed to Series AGeneralistICTLife Sciences
Directory
European startups, investors, and accelerators
Filter the directory by category, geography, or sector to find the right partners.
BackingMinds
Stockholm, Sweden · IncubatorFounded 2016. Seed fund focused on overlooked founders and underserved markets.
IncubatorSeedGeneralistConsumerEnterprise
Chalmers Ventures
Gothenburg, Sweden · AcceleratorVenture builder and fund founded in 2015 (building on earlier programs) that co-creates tech startups from Chalmers University research using its Encubation model. Support: incubation, seed investment, business coaches, and access to labs. Scope: Regional (West Sweden).
AcceleratorDeep TechIndustrialSustainability
Chalmers Ventures
Gothenburg, Sweden · Venture StudioEstablished 2015 (building on earlier university incubation). Venture builder and fund for tech startups from Chalmers University using an Encubation model; provides pre-seed funding, business coaches, and lab access. Notable spin-offs include Minesto and KomboSat. Scope: Regional (West Sweden).
Venture StudioDeep TechUniversityEnergy
Creandum
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorFounded 2003. Nordic VC investing from seed in consumer internet, fintech, gaming, and SaaS.
AcceleratorSeed to Series AConsumer InternetFintechGamingSaaS
Einride
Stockholm, Sweden · StartupAutonomous electric freight company operating driverless Pods and software to decarbonize logistics.
StartupGrowthMobilityLogistics
EQT Ventures
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorLaunched 2016. Early to growth-stage VC investing in AI, fintech, mobility, and marketplaces.
AcceleratorEarly to GrowthAIFintechMobilityMarketplaces
Fast Track Malmo
Malmo, Sweden · AcceleratorFast Track Malmö is a startup accelerator based in Malmö, Sweden, that has gained recognition for its founder-friendly approach and strong results. Launched in 2015 and backed by Malmö’s public and private stakeholders (including Malmö City, Minc incubator, and VC firm Hax), Fast Track Malmö (FTM) selects around 10 startups per year from around the world for its program. The accelerator provides an up-front investment of €50,000 for 5% equity – a relatively generous seed deal – along with a 3-month intensive program and free housing for international teams. Each cohort gets access to mentors from successful Swedish startups (like King, Truecaller, etc.) and a series of workshops on product, growth, and fundraising. FTM has been particularly successful in drawing startups from across Europe to Malmö, turning the city into a surprising startup hotspot. Alumni have gone on to raise over $100M collectively. For instance, Worldfavor (sustainability data platform) and Bibliotech (UK edtech) both participated in FTM and later raised significant rounds. The program culminates in Demo Day during Malmö Startup Live, where founders pitch to a curated audience of Nordic and international investors. Fast Track Malmö prides itself on its supportive community – it often ranks highly in founder NPS surveys. Notably, 70%+ of its startups secure funding within 6 months post-program. Malmö’s strengths in game development and IoT sometimes reflect in FTM cohorts (some gaming startups and hardware/IoT teams have come through). Another distinctive trait: FTM works closely with Minc, the Malmö incubator, to offer follow-on incubation and soft landings for teams that relocate to Sweden. This extended support helped Fast Track Malmö produce success stories despite operating in a smaller ecosystem. By 2023, the accelerator reported its alumni have created 100+ jobs and 30% of them have at least one female founder – stats that underscore its impact and inclusive ethos. Fast Track Malmö demonstrates that with smart funding and community backing, even a mid-sized city can accelerate startups to global success.
AcceleratorGeneral TechSeed
GP Bullhound
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorFounded 2006. Growth equity investor in digital services and software.
AcceleratorGrowthDigital ServicesSoftware
HealthTech Matchday 2026
Online, Sweden · EventVirtual matchmaking event connecting healthtech startups with healthcare providers and investors.
EventEventsHealthTech
Ignite Sweden
Gothenburg, Sweden · Event OrganisatorOrganizer of the Ignite Sweden Summit on corporate-startup collaboration.
Event OrganisatorEventsInnovation
Ignite Sweden Summit 2026
Gothenburg, Sweden · EventSummit on corporate-startup collaboration with case studies and B2B networking.
EventEventsInnovation
Industrifonden
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorEvergreen fund founded 1979 investing in Swedish deep tech and life science.
AcceleratorSeries A to Series BDeep TechLife SciencesDigital Health
Klarna
Stockholm, Sweden · StartupKlarna is a Swedish fintech company that pioneered the “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) model globally. Founded in 2005 by Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Niklas Adalberth, and Victor Jacobsson, Klarna started by offering online shoppers in Sweden a way to purchase goods on invoice (pay after delivery). Over the next decade, the company expanded across Europe and beyond, becoming a dominant online payments provider. As of 2021, Klarna was Europe’s highest-valued private tech company at $45.6 billion, reflecting meteoric growth fueled by consumers’ appetite for installment payments. Klarna’s app and services allow users to split purchases into interest-free installments or pay later, and it partners with over 450,000 retailers worldwide, including global brands like H&M, IKEA, and Nike. The company has over 150 million users across 45 countries and handled $80 billion in transaction volume in 2021. Klarna’s journey, however, has seen dramatic swings: after reaching a $45B valuation in mid-2021, a combination of rising interest rates and tech market downturn led to a downround in 2022, cutting its valuation to $6.7 billion (an 85% drop). The company restructured, laying off 10% of its staff, and refocused on profitability. By 2023, Klarna returned to profit and saw renewed growth, aided by expanding beyond BNPL into a full shopping app with price comparison, loyalty features, and banking services (Klarna obtained a banking license in Europe in 2017). In 2025, Klarna reportedly delayed an IPO amid market volatility but ultimately went public in September 2025, raising $1.37 billion. Despite valuation fluctuations, Klarna remains the global leader in BNPL, with a strong brand among Gen Z and millennial shoppers. Its journey from a small Stockholm startup to a financial giant serving 65 million customers (2025) at one point valued at $75 billion exemplifies the rise (and resiliency) of Europe’s fintech sector.
StartupLate StageFintechPayments
LEVELS Venture Studio
Stockholm, Sweden · Venture StudioFounded 2016. Venture studio co-founding fintech and SaaS startups by providing strategy, design, product development, and funding in exchange for equity; built companies like Mondido. Scope: National.
Venture StudioFintechSaaSVenture Building
Lovable
Stockholm, Sweden · StartupAI-powered no-code builder that turns natural language prompts into working web and mobile apps.
StartupEarly StageAIDeveloper Tools
Luminar Ventures
Stockholm, Sweden · IncubatorLaunched 2018. Seed-stage fund backing Swedish digital startups.
IncubatorSeedFintechMarketplacesDigital
Neko Health
Stockholm, Sweden · StartupPreventive health company offering AI-assisted full-body scanning clinics for early detection of risks.
StartupGrowthHealthtechDiagnostics
Nicoya
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorFounded 2017. Impact investor and accelerator focused on foodtech and alternative protein startups; provides early-stage funding and strategic support. Notable investment: Stockeld Dreamery. Scope: National with global outlook.
AcceleratorFoodTechImpactAgriTech
Norrsken Impact Accelerator
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorFounded 2016 by the Norrsken Foundation. Eight-week impact accelerator selecting 20 startups annually; offers USD 125K for 5% equity and mentorship from global tech leaders. Focus on climate, health, and education. Scope: International.
AcceleratorImpactClimateHealthEducation
Northvolt
Stockholm, Sweden · StartupNorthvolt was a Swedish battery developer and manufacturer founded in 2016 by former Tesla executives Peter Carlsson and Paolo Cerruti. It aimed to build Europe’s first homegrown lithium-ion gigafactories to supply electric vehicle batteries at scale. Northvolt quickly became Europe’s cleantech darling – it secured over $15 billion in funding from investors like Volkswagen (which took a 20% stake), Goldman Sachs, BMW, and the European Investment Bank. By 2021, Northvolt built its flagship factory in Skellefteå, Sweden (Northvolt Ett) and announced over $55 billion in orders from automakers including Volkswagen, BMW, Volvo, and Polestar. At its peak, Northvolt reached a valuation of $12 billion and was seen as Europe’s best hope against the Asian battery giants CATL, LG Chem, and Panasonic. The company’s progress was significant: it produced its first battery cell in late 2021 and began deliveries in 2022. However, behind the scenes, Northvolt struggled with the immense capital expenditures and operational complexities of scaling battery production. By late 2024, it had accumulated over $5.8 billion in debt and was burning ~$100 million per month, while its factory ran at only 5% capacity due to equipment installation delays and safety issues. In November 2024, Northvolt filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S., and on March 12, 2025, it filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, marking the largest industrial bankruptcy in modern Swedish history. The collapse was dramatic – once valued at $12B, Northvolt’s assets were later acquired by US startup Lyten for pennies on the dollar in 2026. Investigations revealed mismanagement: thousands of unopened equipment crates worth €430M were found on-site and a critical €2B BMW contract was lost after Northvolt fell two years behind schedule. Despite its failure, Northvolt’s ambition wasn’t in vain; it spurred the European Commission to launch the European Battery Alliance and rival startups (like France’s Verkor) to push forward. Northvolt’s story is a cautionary tale of euphoria and risk in cleantech – a venture that raised unprecedented funding and $50B in orders to put Europe on the battery map, only to crumble under execution challenges and debt.
StartupGrowthClimateIndustrial
Northzone
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorNorthzone is a prominent European venture capital firm with Scandinavian roots, known for early bets on companies like Spotify and Klarna. Founded in 1996 in Oslo (and now headquartered in Stockholm with a big presence in London), Northzone is an evergreen VC fund that has raised 9 funds to date. It invests from Seed and Series A up to Growth (Series B/C), typically focusing on consumer internet, fintech, and B2B SaaS. Northzone rose to fame as the earliest institutional investor in Spotify – it led Spotify’s $21M Series A in 2008 and remained a major shareholder until IPO. It was also an early backer of Klarna (led the $8M Series A in 2010) and other Nordic breakouts like iZettle (payments, acquired by PayPal) and Avito (Russian classifieds, acquired by Naspers). Over the years, Northzone expanded its geographic focus to include the UK, Benelux, and the US East Coast (they’ve invested in Wallapop in Spain, Personio in Germany, and Secret Escapes in UK, among others). The firm’s investment approach is relatively hands-on – partners often take board seats and leverage Northzone’s network for business development of their portfolio. With approximately €1.5 billion under management, Northzone typically writes initial checks of €2–10M and can follow on with much larger amounts. In 2022, Northzone raised a new €1B+ fund, reflecting growing LP interest in European tech. The team blends operational experience and finance acumen; notable partners include Pär-Jörgen Pärson (who led the Spotify deal) and Michiel Kotting (who sits on Personio’s board). Northzone often leads or co-leads rounds and likes to syndicate with US VCs when scaling globally. Beyond fintech and music tech, they have investments in healthtech (Kry), edtech (Kahoot!), crypto (Sovereign), and more – showcasing a broad thesis of “transformative tech.” Northzone’s steady success over 25+ years – producing multiple billion-dollar exits – has cemented its reputation as one of Europe’s top-tier venture firms, bridging the vibrant Nordic ecosystem with the rest of the continent.
AcceleratorSeed to GrowthConsumerB2B TechFintechEntertainment
Spintop Ventures
Malmo, Sweden · AcceleratorFounded 2009. Early-stage investor in enterprise software, digital consumer, and IoT across the Nordics.
AcceleratorSeed to Series AEnterprise SoftwareDigital ConsumerIoT
Startup Goteborg / GU Incubator
Gothenburg, Sweden · IncubatorRegional support ecosystem linked to the University of Gothenburg and local partners such as Johanneberg Science Park, providing incubation, coaching, and investor connections for startups in the Gothenburg region. Scope: Regional.
IncubatorEntrepreneurshipUniversityRegional
Startup Grind Stockholm
Stockholm, Sweden · Event OrganisatorStockholm chapter of the global Startup Grind community.
Event OrganisatorEventsStartup Ecosystem
Startup Grind Stockholm - Bringing the World to Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden · EventStartup Grind fireside chat and networking event featuring global ecosystem builders.
EventEventsStartup Ecosystem
Sting
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorSting (Stockholm Innovation & Growth) is Sweden’s leading startup accelerator and incubator, founded in 2002 and based in Stockholm. Over two decades, Sting has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most successful support programs for high-tech startups. Each year, ~25 startups participate in Sting’s programs, which are tailored to ICT, sustainability, and deep tech ventures. Sting offers two main tracks: the Accelerate program (a shorter, intensive accelerator with investment) and the Incubate program (a longer incubation with office space and coaching). Startups benefit from SEK 400,000 (≈€35,000) in pre-seed investment via Sting’s Propel Capital angel fund, as well as hands-on mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs. Sting is notable for its extensive network in the Nordics – participants get access to 80+ industry mentors and introductions to a broad investor pool in Sweden and internationally. The results speak volumes: Sting has supported 270+ startups since inception, with a survival rate over 70% and multiple high-profile alumni. Success stories include Yubico (security keys unicorn), Sellpy (fashion recommerce, acquired by H&M), and ClimateView (climate planning SaaS). In addition to funding and coaching, Sting offers free office space at A House in Stockholm, product development labs, and perks from partners. The program emphasizes key performance indicators (KPIs) and growth milestones – Sting aims to help companies reach first customers, significant revenues, or Series A readiness within 6–18 months. Beyond individual companies, Sting has played a crucial role in Stockholm’s ecosystem: it co-founded SUP46 (Start-Up People of Sweden) co-working space and hosts Sweden’s annual Startup Demo Day. Sting alumni have collectively raised over €600 million. With the Swedish ecosystem maturing, Sting remains a cornerstone – providing new founders with structured support, an entrepreneurial community, and that all-important first investment to turbocharge their growth.
AcceleratorICTSustainabilityDeep Tech
Sweden Innovation X
Stockholm, Sweden · Event OrganisatorOrganizer of digital health matchmaking events for Swedish innovation networks.
Event OrganisatorEventsHealthTech
Tech Nordic Advocates
Stockholm, Sweden · Event OrganisatorOrganizer of Nordic-focused founder masterclasses and events.
Event OrganisatorEventsStartup Growth
Tech Nordic Advocates Building Growth While Raising Capital
Online, Sweden · EventOnline fundraising and growth masterclass for founders with Q&A and expert guidance.
EventEventsFundraising
Tech Nordic Advocates Go-to-Market Masterclass
Online, Sweden · EventOnline workshop on go-to-market strategy led by Tech Nordic Advocates.
EventEventsStartup Growth
Techarena
Stockholm, Sweden · Event OrganisatorOrganizer of Techarena, Scandinavia's large-scale tech and business event hosted in Stockholm.
Event OrganisatorEventsStartup Ecosystem
Techarena 2026
Stockholm, Sweden · EventScandinavia-wide tech and business summit organized by Techarena. Next edition: Feb 11-12, 2026 in Stockholm.
EventEventsStartup Ecosystem
Uppsala Innovation Centre
Uppsala, Sweden · IncubatorUppsala Innovation Centre (UIC) is a leading Swedish incubator and accelerator, consistently ranked among Europe’s top public incubators. Founded in 1999 and located in Uppsala – a city known for its major university and pharma industry cluster – UIC supports startups from idea to growth, with a strong focus on life sciences, medtech, energy, and IT. It is a public-private partnership, co-owned by Uppsala municipality, Uppsala University, SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), and local industry. UIC offers a suite of programs: a pre-incubation phase for concept validation, a core incubation phase (up to 2 years) for business development and raising seed capital, and a accelerator phase for scaling up and internationalization. Uniquely, UIC doesn’t take equity but charges a modest fee – hence it’s seen as a neutral player with the startup’s interest at heart. Startups benefit from individualized coaching by experienced business advisors, free office and lab space, and connections to Uppsala’s rich network of experts (the city hosts big players like GE Healthcare, Pfizer, etc.). Access to lab facilities is a key advantage for biotech startups – UIC arranges subsidized lab rentals through partnerships with SLU and local science parks. Over 20+ years, UIC has nurtured over 1,000 companies. Alumni include OssDsign (innovative cranial implants, now publicly listed) and ScandiNova (pulsed power systems, a world leader in its niche). The incubator’s portfolio has also seen several acquisitions by international firms. UIC is particularly known for helping research-heavy projects with commercialization – many UIC startups are founded by professors or PhDs aiming to solve real-world problems with their inventions. They also run UIC “Business Lab” and “Startup Bootcamps” for very early-stage teams, including student entrepreneurs. UIC’s impact is evident: Uppsala punches above its weight in innovation metrics, and UIC has been recognized by UBI Global as a top-5 global incubator in 2019. By coupling Uppsala’s academic prowess with professional business guidance, Uppsala Innovation Centre continues to turn ideas “from lab to market,” driving regional growth and bringing science-based innovations to society.
IncubatorLife SciencesEnergyIT
VEF
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorListed investment company focused on fintech in emerging markets.
AcceleratorSeries A to Series BFintechEmerging Markets
Walerud Ventures
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorEstablished 2002 by Jane Walerud. Family-run deep-tech angel fund and hands-on accelerator for planet-positive startups; invests up to EUR 1M and often provides interim operational support. 10+ exits including Volumental. Scope: National.
AcceleratorDeep TechClimateImpact
Wellstreet
Stockholm, Sweden · AcceleratorHybrid VC fund and tech innovation hub founded in 2016 running accelerator programs at The Factory and investing in early-stage digital and fintech startups. Support: equity investment, mentorship from in-house experts, workspace access. Scope: National.
AcceleratorFintechDigitalE-commerce
Wellstreet
Stockholm, Sweden · Innovation HubFounded 2016. Hybrid VC fund and tech innovation hub running the Factory accelerator; focuses on martech, fintech, and ecommerce infrastructure with ~60 investments. Provides equity investment, mentorship, and workspace in Stockholm. Scope: National.
Innovation HubMarTechFintechEcommerce