More than 20 years ago Mikael Ahlström found a large, character-filled space in central Stockholm that was far bigger than he needed for his own companies. Instead of scaling down, he invited friends, collaborators, and other entrepreneurs to join him to share the rent. The results were immediate: projects multiplied, partnerships formed, and a genuine sense of belonging emerged. Those early synergies became the foundation for what would become one of Stockholm’s first coworking spaces, built on the values of the startup world and the Hyper Island mindset — teamwork, collaboration, Life Long Learning and the ambition to change the world.
A Member-Driven Community
Today, The Park is home to more than 1,000 members from over 280 companies, spanning life science, technology, and the creative industries. It provides a home for startups and growing businesses through private offices, flexible workspaces, and vibrant meeting areas that foster connection and creativity. “Community has always been at the heart of The Park,” says Micke. “Growth is what we deliver every day, whether it’s expanding your network, getting new clients, finding great contractors or talents, getting funded or learning something new. Together is how we deliver it.”
The Park’s success is built on a member-driven culture. Thought leaders within the community are encouraged to take the stage, share insights, and lead sessions that circulate through The Park’s ecosystem. Every event becomes a win-win-win — for the speaker gaining visibility, for members gaining knowledge, and for new professionals discovering The Park firsthand.
A Hybrid Worklife for Growth
Through this approach, The Park now curates over 150 events each year, ranging from intimate workshops to international conferences and delegation visits. Regular pitch nights connect startups with venture capital, while community breakfasts and open sessions turn everyday encounters into opportunities for collaboration.
Following the pandemic, The Park also emerged as a “third office” for larger corporations. With headquarters as the first office and home as the second, The Park became the third, a dynamic, social workspace for growth. Its hybrid memberships allow employees to exchange home-office days for time in an environment rich in creativity, equipped with conference rooms, event spaces, and a strong professional network inside Stockholm’s Innovation Districts.
The Park Academy – Lifelong Learning
A key driver of professional development within the organization is The Park Academy. The Academy offers speaker sessions, innovation hackathons, and masterclasses focused on leadership, digitalization, and transformation. It also runs executive programs for leaders in Sweden and abroad, creating curiosity translated into confidence. “Learning is what keeps a community alive and the people thriving in their fields,” notes Micke.
A Phygital Space – The best of the physical and digital world
Complementing its physical environments, The Park has launched a digital, AI-driven community platform that extends collaboration beyond the walls of its spaces. The system enables members to connect, collaborate, and grow online through AI-based matchmaking, event participation tools, and interest-driven circles. Within these circles, professionals in for example biotech, digital marketing, innovation, leadership, IP, compliance, or UX design exchange knowledge, co-create events, and build communities of practice. The platform represents where The Park’s community truly comes to life digitally as a place for networking, shared learning, and continuous growth that mirrors the spirit of its physical spaces and generates real meeting opportunities.
Community and Coworking as a Service – Turning empty space into value
Building on this foundation, The Park’s current mission is expanding through its Community and Coworking as a Service (CoaaS) model. This initiative partners with real estate owners and companies who have new or underused spaces, applying The Park’s proven community and coworking framework as a full-service solution. By integrating hospitality, programming, and daily community management, The Park helps activate buildings and districts — bringing them to life with people, activity, and meaningful interactions. The result is increased value for property owners and local ecosystems alike, transforming empty square meters into thriving environments of work, learning, and collaboration.
Looking ahead, The Park aims to deepen its impact within Sweden’s innovation landscape by further connecting creative industries, life science, and tech, while scaling its CoaaS partnerships nationally and abroad. What began as an effort to bring a few companies together under one roof has grown into a thriving ecosystem uniting creativity, technology, and life science under one shared mission — to grow together.
