From Fragmentation to Insight: The Beta Launch of Sweden Startup Next
Sweden Startup Nation collects and shares knowledge about Swedish startups and scaleups, aiming to strengthen Sweden’s position as a global innovation leader. Behind the initiative stands a strong coalition of ecosystem builders: SISP (Swedish Incubators & Science Parks), FUHS (Föreningen Universitetsholdingbolag i Sverige), Sweden’s University Holding Companies and Innovation Offices, and Bling.
– The event is more than a product launch. It marks a shift in how Sweden approaches innovation policy, ecosystem collaboration and long-term competitiveness, says Sasan Shaba, Vice President of Philanthropy & International Cooperation at SISP.
Sweden has long been recognised as one of Europe’s leading startup nations. With a strong entrepreneurial culture, high capacity for innovation, and globally successful companies, the foundation is solid.
– But in today’s increasingly competitive global landscape, past success is no longer enough. Talent, capital and innovation move faster than ever – and ecosystems that fail to adapt risk falling behind, he says.
One key challenge
One of the key challenges has been the lack of a shared picture. Data on Swedish startups exists, but it is often fragmented, difficult to interpret and rarely connected into a coherent whole.
– This makes it harder to answer fundamental questions: How are Swedish startups really performing? Where is growth happening? And where can targeted efforts make the greatest difference? Sweden Startup Next is built to address exactly this gap, says Sasan Shaba.
By collecting, structuring and analysing data on startups and scaleups across the country, the platform creates a shared, continuously evolving view of the ecosystem. It enables stakeholders – from policymakers and investors to incubators and founders – to move from assumptions to insight, and from reactive decisions to more proactive, evidence-based strategies.
Understanding how startups evolve over time is essential to building strong ecosystems. Sweden Startup Next brings this perspective into practice – grounded not in theory, but in real-time national data.
Program for the launch
The beta launch of version 0.9 offers a look into this future.
During the morning session, participants will explore the vision behind Sweden Startup Next and experience a live demonstration of the platform. The programme will also highlight the team behind the initiative – and notably, the use of AI agents in building the platform, pointing to new ways of working at the intersection of technology and public infrastructure.
A panel discussion featuring voices from Norrsken, Lovable and the wider ecosystem will further explore how data can drive meaningful change – shifting from isolated initiatives to more coordinated, system-level impact. Participants will have the opportunity to test the platform, share feedback and contribute to its continued development.
– Because at its core, Sweden Startup Next is not just about data – it is about building a shared understanding, together. The ambition is clear: to strengthen Sweden’s position as a globally competitive, knowledge-driven startup nation. One where decisions are informed by real insight, resources are directed where they matter most, and the ecosystem evolves with greater clarity and alignment, says Sasan Shaba.
Registration for the launch
- When: May 8th,08:30-10:00
- Where: KTH Innovation, Teknikringen 1, Stockholm
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