INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Innovations of the World

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Celebrating the Pinnacle of Innovation in Sweden’s Capital

At INNOVATE®, our mission is to showcase and connect the top 100 innovation success stories from the most exciting cities around the world. Today, we are thrilled to introduce our newest project, INNOVATE Stockholm™, a high-quality coffee table book that will spotlight the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial energy of Stockholm, Sweden.

Stockholm is renowned for its cutting-edge advancements and creative solutions that have left an indelible mark on the global innovation landscape. From its thriving tech ecosystem to its sustainable urban planning initiatives, Stockholm exemplifies a city that is not only keeping pace with the future but actively shaping it.

Our Mission The mission of INNOVATE Stockholm™ is clear: to celebrate and connect the top 100 innovation success stories from this dynamic city. By bringing these stories to the forefront, we aim to inspire, inform, and connect like-minded individuals and organizations who are passionate about driving change and fostering innovation.

What to Expect INNOVATE Stockholm™ will feature a diverse array of stories across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, education, sustainability, and more. Each story will delve into the unique journey of the innovators, highlighting their challenges, achievements, and the impact they have made both locally and globally.

The book will not only serve as a source of inspiration but also as a valuable networking tool, connecting readers with the movers and shakers of Stockholm’s innovation scene. Whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, policymaker, or simply an enthusiast of innovation, INNOVATE Stockholm™ promises to offer insights and connections that can help propel your own endeavors.

Why Stockholm? Stockholm’s reputation as an innovation hub is well-deserved. The city is home to numerous successful startups, groundbreaking research institutions, and forward-thinking policies that support a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. It is a place where creativity meets practicality, and where innovative ideas are not only conceived but also brought to life.

From globally recognized companies like Spotify and Klarna to pioneering research in sustainable technologies, Stockholm continues to push the boundaries of what is possible. INNOVATE Stockholm™ will capture these stories and more, providing a comprehensive look at the city’s innovation landscape.

Join Us on This Journey We invite you to join us on this exciting journey as we prepare to launch INNOVATE Stockholm™. Stay tuned for updates on the book’s progress, sneak peeks of featured stories, and information on the launch event. Together, let’s celebrate the incredible innovation and entrepreneurship that Stockholm has to offer.

For more information about our mission and other INNOVATE® projects around the world, visit our website.

Let’s celebrate Stockholm, a city where innovation knows no bounds.

Featured Thought Leaders

Featured Thought Leaders

Featured Innovators

Featured Innovators

CAY COLLECTIVE

REDEFINING THE CREATIVE MARKET

In a world where creative talent often struggles to meet commerce, Cay Collective is shaping a new path. Founded in 2023 by Johanna Gauffin and Natalie Navia, the Stockholm-based platform serves as a marketplace for independent artists, fashion designers, and lifestyle creators offering more than just a digital storefront. Cay...

NEXT AGENTS

DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION IN STOCKHOLM

Stockholm is globally recognized as a hub for innovation, particularly in sustainability, and Next Agents plays a pivotal role in advancing this ecosystem. Sustainability-driven innovation lies at the heart of Next Agents’ mission to empower businesses to create solutions that benefit people, the planet, and profitability. Central to this approach...

FLOX

THE WILDLIFE INTELLIGENCE COMPANY

FROM A SWEDISH RESEARCH LAB TO A GLOBAL MISSION FOR HUMAN-WILDLIFE COEXISTENCE Flox is redefining how humans and wildlife share the planet. Founded in 2020 as a spin-off from the AI research lab at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, the company has built the world’s first adaptive system...

FROM MEMORY TO MASTERPIECE

MARIA WESTERBERG’S T-SHIRT CHAIR WEAVES STORIES INTO SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Swedish designer Maria Westerberg has long been a pioneer in upcycling and sustainable design, but it was a single chair — woven from worn-out T-shirts — that propelled her into the global spotlight. Known as the “Queen of ReMake design,” Westerberg blends narrative, memory, and sustainability in a way that...

MOTORICA

ANIMATION AT SCALE, CREATIVITY IN CONTROL

The gaming and interactive media industries are built on the ambition of creating experiences that customers love. Players expect living, reactive worlds. Studios dream big to fulfill those expectations but often find themselves blocked by outdated workflows and legacy pipelines. Instead of creating, teams are stuck firefighting, forced to choose...

POTATO IMPROVER

ENGINEERING RESILIENCE IN THE AGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

In a world of rapidly rising temperatures and unstable growing conditions, Potato Improver is reshaping the future of agriculture by empowering one of the world’s most essential food crops—potatoes—to thrive in heat-stressed environments. Founded with a singular mission to safeguard global food security, this Swedish biotech startup has developed a...

Intrapreneurial Capital

Breaking Barriers: Meet the Trio That's Transforming Intrapreneurship from Buzzword to Business Strategy

Albert Bengtson, Birgitte Stjärne, and Roland Williams bring a dynamic blend of expertise and proven strategies that drive transformative innovation in the corporate world. As seasoned leaders in business development, creative strategy, and innovation management, they provide powerful insights tailored to today’s complex and competitive landscape. Their approach empowers organizations...

MAX MATTHIESSEN

RESHAPING FINANCIAL ADVISORY FOR A MORE HUMAN AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

As Europe faces widening wealth gaps, rising climate pressures, and a demographic shift toward longer retirements, traditional financial advice is no longer enough. Companies today want more than solid pension and investment products — they want to build resilience, protect their people and position themselves as employers of choice in...

KTH INNOVATION

POWERING SWEDISH INNOVATION

KTH Innovation is one of Europe’s leading startup hubs, offering innovation support to students and researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, a top technical university. Since its inception in 2007, KTH Innovation has built an internationally recognized innovation support system, helping students and researchers transform groundbreaking ideas into thriving...

EDSVÄRD

THE MILLION-DOLLAR SMILE

“Don’t worry I am not gonna steal it,” says one of Edsvärd’s co-founders to a man who sits by himself at a table. He is holding on to his backpack for dear life. The man cracks into a warm, bubbly laughter showing off his flawless white smile. His name is...

CAPIO

CHANGE AS A RESPONSE TO HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES

Swedish healthcare is in the midst of profound change. An ageing population, rising demand for care, and persistent staff shortages mean that resources must be used differently. For the system to remain sustainable, both new organisational models and more efficient ways of working are needed. Capio, one of Sweden’s largest...

WIB CAPITAL

BUILDING A NEW FRONT DOOR TO INVESTMENT; DESIGNED TO REDUCE BIAS

Early-stage investing is often described as data-driven. In practice, first impressions still decide what gets a meeting and what gets ignored. WiB Capital is building a digital front door to investment that helps startups become investor-ready using AI, while reducing identity-based bias by letting the business case speak first. The...

ETHEREAL VENTURES

INVESTING IN POTENTIAL, UNEARTHING THE GOLD WITHIN

Founded in 2020, Ethereal Ventures AB builds on two decades of experience in AI and data innovation — helping leaders transform potential into purpose. Our mission is simple: to add value to leaders who multiply value to others—through coaching, speaking, writing, and investing in dreams. We believe that achieving a...

SIME

WHY INNOVATION STARTS WITH PEOPLE, NOT PRESSURE

In a world defined by rapid technological change, constant disruption, and ever-higher performance demands, Ola Ahlvarsson has spent nearly three decades championing a quietly radical idea: that true innovation doesn’t start with pressure or tools—it starts with people. Widely regarded as one of the Nordic region’s most influential thought leaders...

HOUSE OF INNOVATION

STOCKHOLM SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS

THE HOUSE OF INNOVATION (HOI) AT THE STOCKHOLM SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS (SSE) IS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATION ENVIRONMENT COMBINING RESEARCH, EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND VENTURING. BUILDING ON THE RICH HISTORY OF THE STOCKHOLM SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, THE RESEARCH HOUSE AIMS TO TAKE THE SCHOOL’S BEST-IN-CLASS INTERACTION WITH BUSINESS AND SOCIETY INTO THE...

LIFESEEDS

BUILDING THE NORDIC BRIDGE TO PERSONALIZED LONGEVITY

Aging is the single greatest risk factor for every major chronic disease — yet the global wellness and supplement market still treats human biology as if one size fits all. Consumers spend billions on generic products, vague claims and underdosed formulas — yet see little measurable impact. At the same...

SCHOOLTRY

BUILDING A SINGLE DIGITAL BACKBONE FOR EDUCATION WORLDWIDE

As education systems around the world shift rapidly toward digital operations, one company is quietly standing out. SchoolTry, a Stockholm-based tech company, has created a cloud-based platform that brings school management, digital learning, and career readiness together in one seamless system. Founded by software engineer Ismail Eleburuike, SchoolTry tackles a...

VÄRMEVERKET

A CULTURAL POWERHOUSE REIMAGINING CREATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE

In the southern outskirts of Stockholm, in a repurposed industrial facility once devoted to generating heat, something entirely different is now being produced—culture, community, and creative opportunity. Värmeverket, founded as a response to the increasingly precarious conditions for artists and cultural workers, has quickly established itself as one of Sweden’s...

NOVATRON

POWERING THE FUTURE WITH FUSION ENERGY

In 2019, a bold vision took root in Sweden—one that could redefine the future of energy. Inspired by the pioneering ideas of inventor Jan Jäderberg, Novatron Fusion Group (NFG) was founded with a singular mission: to unlock the power of fusion energy and make it a practical, scalable, and sustainable...

Next Agents

Driving Sustainability and Innovation in Stockholm

HOW NEXT AGENTS IS SHAPING THE FUTURE Stockholm is globally recognized as a hub for innovation, particularly in sustainability, and Next Agents plays a pivotal role in advancing this ecosystem. Sustainability-driven innovation lies at the heart of Next Agents’ mission to empower businesses to create solutions that benefit people, the...

SSE BUSINESS LAB

CREATING THE CONDITIONS FOR UNICORNS

SSE Business Lab is the startup incubator of the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), one of Europe’s top business schools. Since its founding in 2001, the incubator has supported more than 300 startups, including some of Sweden’s most recognized success stories such as Klarna, Voi, Instabee (formerly Budbee), and Legora....

4thBrain

Reimagining Enterprises for the AI Age

Tackling The Outdated Enterprise Software in a New Era Despite advancements in technology, many enterprises remain trapped in outdated software systems. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools, the backbone of modern organizations, are static, rigid, and expensive to implement and maintain. They fail to keep pace with the speed and complexity...

SSES

ORCHESTRATING A DISCIPLINARY SYMPHONY OF SIX LEADING UNIVERSITIES

The Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES) is an intriguing invention from Sweden’s capital. Much like Stockholm—a city comprised of several islands, each with its distinct character, yet contributing to a cohesive whole—SSES unites six leading universities to create a globally-unique nexus of entrepreneurial education. Established in 1999 with the support...

KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET

FROM DISCOVERY TO IMPACT: HOW KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET INNOVATIONS TRANSFORMS LIFE SCIENCE

Innovation is essential for advancing healthcare and ensuring better patient outcomes. However, bringing deeptech Life Science innovations to market is a long and complex journey—one that requires not just groundbreaking research but also substantial investments, regulatory navigation, and perseverance. At KI Innovations, we support researchers and entrepreneurs in transforming scientific...

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The Publisher

Lyllian Abrahamsson

Lyllian Abrahamsson is a seasoned professional in the fashion and hospitality industries, with a rich international background and extensive experience working with both established brands and start-ups. Originally from Botswana, Lyllian pursued higher education in business at the prestigious Queensland University of Technology in Australia. After graduation, she moved to London, where she honed her... click to read more

The Publisher

Lyllian Abrahamsson

Lyllian Abrahamsson is a seasoned professional in the fashion and hospitality industries, with a rich international background and extensive experience working with both established brands and start-ups. Originally from Botswana, Lyllian pursued higher education in business at the prestigious Queensland University of Technology in Australia. After graduation, she moved to London, where she honed her... click to read more

Other Ecosystems