�Sasan Shaba�VP Philanthropy & International Cooperation

SISP

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Overview over Swedens Tech-scene

& innovation ecosystem.

I-Nation

2

Rethinking industry �since the 1600s.

Photo: Holmen

3

Constantly finding �innovative solutions �for tomorrow. 

1646

1862

1873

1876

1883

1891

1907

1913

1927

1943

1945

1947

1984

2003

2006

2014

2016

2020

A breeding ground for long-term competitiveness

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1609

1972

1689

2018

2012

50% of Sweden’s GDP are exports.

50

A truly global economy.

Stockholm is Europe's third largest hub for global corporate headquarters (2020).

#3

SWEDEN

NORWAY

FINLAND

ICELAND

DENMARK

27m

Total combined population of the Nordics.

An innovation champion with a tech-scene on a global scale .

Start up, scale up, grow. Repeat.

Photo: Oceanbird

10

Sweden is Europe's top innovator (European Innovation Scoreboard 2024).

#2

2nd

Sweden is the second most innovative country in the world (Global Innovation Index 2024).

3.5%

At 3.5% of GDP, R&D investment is the highest in the EU (EU average 2.2%).

An innovation champion on a global scale.

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A global sustainability leader.�

11

Grow the sustainable way.

Photo: Åsa Bäcklin/Hybrit

12

#1

Sweden leads the Global Sustainability Ranking (2023).

#1

Sweden ranks first in the EU on the Gender Equality Index (2022).

USD 3.5bn

The leading impact hub in Europe, attracting a record USD 3.5bn of venture capital for sustainable startups in 2023.

A global sustainability leader.

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2nd

Sweden topped the Sustainable Development Goals Index 2023.

13

Stockholm is second only to Silicon Valley in producing the most unicorns per capita.

2nd

#1

Swedish startups’ value per capita is the highest in Europe (USD 20.9K).

#2

Sweden ranks second globally for patents per capita and 9th in absolute numbers.

An innovation champion on a global scale.

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30+

Incubators

30+

Science parks

Swedish Incubators and Science Parks (SISP) is Sweden’s industry association for incubators and science parks. Through strong collaboration between our members and Sweden’s leading universities, private sector actors, public organizations, and customers, we aim to develop the world’s most effective innovation ecosystem and tackle today’s biggest challenges.

• Non-profit economic association

Swedish Incubators & Science Parks (SISP)

Mission:

• Drive industry development through member-wide projects and platforms
• Member support with forums for knowledge exchange and joint development
• International learning programs & initiatives
• Advocacy work and policy development

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• 22 employees

• 20 connected to various programs

National network of innovation hubs

Business developing and�ecosystem enablers

Sweden’s university-close incubators, �Triple Helix-based science parks and�private accelerators

* Many of the incubators. accelerators and science parks can support startups and scaleups in varoius tech areas, but this map gives an overview of some of their specific strongholds. �** Advanced materials, nanotechnology, additive manufacturing, drone and robotics, radar, photonics and electronics, semiconductors, micro and nanoelectronics, computer vision, artificial intelligence, big data, quantum technology, deep and machine learning, blockchains, IoT, virtual reality, autonomous systems, cyber security for advanced industrial digitization, edge computing, digital twins.

BioTech/�Forest Tech

Incubator

Accelerator

Incubator & �Science Park

Fashion/�Textile

Deeptech**

FoodTech

IndTech

Mobility/�ICT

Life Science

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General Tech

Science

Park

Gaming/�Creative/�Social

Marine

Tech

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Sweden’s incubators, accelerators and science parks by tech sector*

From research and idea to established company

The role of incubators & Science parks

Ideas

Innovation offices

Startups

Scaleups

Established companies

Research

Accelerator

Private sector

International markets

Cluster

Drivhus/ALMI

Holding

Incubator

Science park

Public sector

Spinoff Corporate

Coaching, IP, Team, legal, PoC

Business dev., IP, Legal, grants, offices, investments

Support in international markets, scaling, investments, team, recruitment

TRL 1

TRL 2

TRL 3

TRL 4

TRL 5

TRL 6

TRL 7

TRL 8

TRL 9

Growth support.

Innovator

Spinoff Research

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Incubators�

An incubator in Sweden plays a critical role in fostering early-stage startups and innovative businesses. Key functions include:

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• Support for Startups: Provides resources such as office space, mentorship, and business advice to early-stage companies.�
• Access to Funding: Helps startups secure funding through investors, grants, and public financing opportunities.�
• Networking Opportunities: Connects entrepreneurs with a network of industry professionals, potential clients, and academic institutions.�
• Business Development: Offers workshops, training, and consultancy to help startups develop viable business models and achieve market entry.�
• Risk Mitigation: Helps reduce the risks associated with starting a new business by providing a structured and supportive environment.�

In Sweden, many incubators are tied to universities or municipalities, focusing on industries like tech, green innovation, and life sciences, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.

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Science Parks�

Science parks in Sweden are hubs for innovation and collaboration, serving as ecosystems where businesses, research institutions, and universities interact. Key roles include:�

• Innovation Ecosystem: Hosts and supports technology-based companies by providing physical infrastructure and collaborative opportunities.�
• Collaboration Facilitation: Encourages partnerships between businesses, academia, and research organizations to drive innovation.�
• Talent Attraction: Draws skilled professionals and researchers, often co-located with universities to leverage academic expertise.�
• Economic Development: Boosts regional economic growth by attracting investment and creating high-tech jobs.

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• Knowledge Sharing: Promotes the exchange of ideas and expertise among companies and institutions within the park.�

Sweden’s science parks, such as Ideon Science Park and Lindholmen Science Park, are integral to fostering sustainable innovation in fields like ICT, automotive, life sciences, and cleantech. They contribute to Sweden's reputation as a leader in technology and sustainability.

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Drives towards excellence and global sustainability 

Sweden's national incubator program ranks as world class, and several of the incubators rank among the best in the world. Vinnova's funding is aimed at incubators that demonstrate excellence in the incubator process, have global sustainability goals and an equality perspective as a driving forces. At the turn of the year 2022/2023, there were 655 companies in the incubators. Independent innovators, business and academia contribute business ideas to the incubators.

The results from the national incubator program are consistently positive, with increased turnover, employees and attracted capital. The incubators also have an important role in promoting sustainability and equality in the business world.

The availability of equity capital for companies in incubation has increased dramatically in recent years, despite reduced availability of risk capital. The life science sector attracts the most capital from both government and private sources.

National Incubator Program

National incubator program survival rate

Peer Review

• Every 3rd year
• Transparent 360-review with peers
• Includes management, team and board
• Tailored to incubators, based on European Quality Management Framework

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• Analyses aggregeratet streangts and weaknesses
• Identifies joint areas for development

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Joint development together with member

Peer Review

• Every 3rd year
• Transparent 360-review with peers
• Includes management, team and board
• Tailored to incubators, based on European Quality Management Framework

​

• Analyses aggregeratet streangts and weaknesses
• Identifies joint areas for development

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Shared learning

• CEOs, Business Developers, Community and communication Managers
• 2 physical meetups/yearly
• 12 online meetups
• International travels
• Yearly conference

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• Based on input from Peer Reviews, and members initiatives
• Fosters trust, community and cooperation willingness
• Some open to a broader ecosystem

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Joint development together with member

Peer Review

• Every 3rd year
• Transparent 360-review with peers
• Includes management, team and board
• Tailored to incubators, based on European Quality Management Framework

​

• Analyses aggregeratet streangts and weaknesses
• Identifies joint areas for development

​

​

​

Shared learning

• CEOs, Business Developers, Community and communication Managers
• 2 physical meetups/yearly
• 12 online meetups
• International travels
• Yearly conference

​

• Based on input from Peer Reviews, and members initiatives
• Fosters trust, community and cooperation willingness
• Some open to a broader ecosystem

​

​

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Joint development

• Vinnova funds joint development projects
• At least three incubators develop together
• SISP acts as platform for sharing and potentially hosting

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Joint development together with member

Peer Review

• Every 3rd year
• Transparent 360-review with peers
• Includes management, team and board
• Tailored to incubators, based on European Quality Management Framework

​

• Analyses aggregeratet streangts and weaknesses
• Identifies joint areas for development

​

​

​

Shared learning

• CEOs, Business Developers, Community and communication Managers
• 2 physical meetups/yearly
• 12 online meetups
• International travels
• Yearly conference

​

• Based on input from Peer Reviews, and members initiatives
• Fosters trust, community and cooperation willingness
• Some open to a broader ecosystem

​

​

​

Joint development

• Vinnova funds joint development projects
• At least three incubators develop together
• SISP acts as platform for sharing and potentially hosting

​

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SISP as national host

• Ignite – Customer access
• STEP – Team Development
• (PRE-STEP in creation)
• SRL – Sustainability readiness levels �(built on KTHs model)
• GIA – Basic Innovative Business Development
• Introduction to the innovation ecosystem with SNITTS
• Innovation Grants

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Joint development together with member

Member initiatives and programs

• Industry matchmaking

• Team development

• Accelerators

• And much more…

Key take aways�

Innovation Exchange: SISP’s structured, sustainability-focused models can refine MRANTI’s incubation practices, while MRANTI’s agile approach to scaling technologies offers insights for diverse markets.�

Bilateral Expansion: MRANTI serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia and SISP to Europe, enabling startups to test and scale in new markets through bilateral soft-landing programs.�

Sectoral Focus & Industry Collaboration: Both ecosystems can collaborate in deep tech, life sciences, and green innovation. MRANTI’s co-creation platform offers a model for fostering industry-startup partnerships, while SISP’s subsidiary, Ignite Sweden, provides an excellent platform for such collaborations, facilitating over 715 successful partnerships since 2017.�

Knowledge Building: MRANTI’s expertise in R&D commercialization complements SISP’s structured approach to innovation, which spans from pre-incubation to scaling. SISP’s peer-review program and training frameworks for incubators and science parks further enhance mutual capabilities in innovation management and ecosystem development.�

Sustainability Goals: SISP’s work with sustainability practices can strengthen MRANTI’s green initiatives, while MRANTI’s experience in emerging economies offers SISP practical deployment insights.

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�Sasan Shaba�Sasan.Shaba@sisp.se

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