Challenge: Scaling beyond urban hubs
In 2021, despite Sweden's global reputation as an innovation powerhouse, startup success has been highly concentrated in major urban hubs like Stockholm and Gothenburg. This uneven distribution constrained national economic potential, resulting in missed opportunities for talent activation, R&D commercialization, and inclusive economic growth.
Vinnova, Sweden's national innovation agency, recognized the urgency to diversify and scale entrepreneurial success across the country. Key structural barriers hindered this ambition: regional ecosystems lacked global connectivity, early-stage funding infrastructure was underdeveloped, and there was no clear leadership or orchestration structure in emerging regions to guide cohesive development.