What does it take to turn international ambition into actual market traction? For ten Swedish tech companies, Access UK offered a sharp, three-day answer. 

Organised by Kista Science City in collaboration with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and the British Embassy in Stockholm, the programme brought a selected group of deep tech, climate tech, and connectivity scaleups to London during London Tech Week. The goal: to accelerate UK market entry through high-level meetings, direct insights, and on-the-ground experience. 

The result was a tightly focused week of tailored customer meetings, speed networking, panel sessions, and expert briefings — all based in London, but with insights and connections reaching across the UK’s broader innovation landscape. 

“The programme delivered what many don’t: real access, honest conversations, and a clear view of both the opportunities and the hurdles ahead,” said James Campion, CEO of TeraSi. 

Mr James Campion of TeraSi.
Image Credit: Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK
Mr Arash Sangari of Kista Science City.
Image Credit: Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK

From insight to traction 

By the end of the week, several companies had already secured follow-up meetings or opened discussions about potential partnerships. For others, the biggest shift was strategic: clearer positioning, sharper communication, and a stronger understanding of how to move forward. 

“There’s a shift you start to notice,” said Arash Sangari, programme manager at Kista Science City. “Participants are still energised, but already thinking ahead — how to bring the learnings home, how to make the UK a real priority. That kind of momentum, from insight to action, is exactly what we’re aiming for.”

Much of that momentum came from the people in the room: investors, journalists, ecosystem leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs. The Access UK programme combined intimate roundtables with media and PR experts (including Sifted), with structured investor matchmaking and exposure at major industry gatherings like the Chamber’s Tech Forum. 

And while London was the hub, the UK opportunity is broader. “Cambridge, Manchester, Bristol – the regional ecosystems are alive with talent, capital, and unmet demand,” Campion reflected. “The UK is open for business, and the hangups of Brexit feel like a thing of the past.” 

Learning the landscape — and standing out in it 

For many participants, the week also brought clarity around what makes the UK market different. Sales cycles, proof points, and partner expectations vary — and local context often matters more than companies anticipate. 

“The hardest part isn’t just getting meetings — it’s understanding how business actually works here,” said Sangari. “What kind of traction do you need to convince a buyer? How are relationships built? What are the red flags you didn’t know you were giving off?” 

According to Alfred Lindberg of Univrses, part of the value came from going together with other Swedish tech companies. “It gives you weight. Even as a small company, you’re not showing up alone — and that opens doors. Plus, you share more than you think with the other companies. Different fields, same challenges.” 

That trust also extends to the Swedish brand. From sustainability to engineering quality, Swedish companies often arrive with a reputation that works in their favour — a legacy built by decades of successful Nordic expansion into the UK. But translating that into deals takes structure, preparation, and credible support. 

“It’s easy to underestimate how competitive these markets are,” said Lindberg. “Initiatives like this are a smart way to help Swedish companies hold their ground — especially in strategic fields like AI and infrastructure, where we want to stay globally relevant.”

What’s next? 

For Kista Science City and its partners, the work doesn’t stop when the flights land. The team will continue to support this year’s participants as they take next steps — from navigating ongoing UK conversations to preparing for entry into other international markets. 

“Part of our role is to make sure companies are prepared before they go,” said Sangari. “But just as important is what happens after — helping companies stay focused, keep up the momentum, and make use of the networks they’ve built.”

Looking ahead, Access UK is one piece of a broader effort to give Swedish tech companies the right conditions to grow internationally — faster, and more strategically. That includes continued collaboration with the British and Swedish embassies, the Chamber, and ecosystem partners like London & Partners. 

Global competition isn’t slowing down, and neither should Swedish scaleups.

Mr Alfred Lindberg of Univrses.
Image Credit: Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK

Get involved

Access UK is a market acceleration programme run by Kista Science City in collaboration with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK and the British Embassy  in Stockholm.  

This autumn, Access Germany will bring ten Swedish growth companies to Munchen, with new programmes launching in the US and Canada in 2026.   

To learn more about upcoming programmes or connect withparticipating companies, reach out to Arash Sangari at arash.sangari@kista.com.