Setting the agenda: Semiconductor Arena launches in Kista
Sweden’s semiconductor ecosystem now has a shared platform in Kista. Semiconductor Arena brings startups, industry and researchers together to develop skills, support companies and strengthen Sweden’s role in Europe’s semiconductor landscape.
The race for semiconductor sovereignty
Semiconductors power almost every modern system — from transport and energy to communication and health. As demand grows, Europe is investing heavily to reduce its dependence on external suppliers and secure local capacity.
Sweden has key strengths to build on: world-class research, advanced infrastructure and a strong base of specialist companies driving innovation. The challenge is to turn that technical know-how into industrial capacity, and to ensure Sweden plays a clearer role in Europe’s semiconductor future.
Semiconductor Arena
The launch of Semiconductor Arena marks a new phase for Sweden’s chip sector, bringing startups, industry and researchers closer together.
The Arena, developed by Kista Science City, KTH, RISE and Sting, is a neutral meeting ground where ideas can move beyond individual organisations and into shared initiatives. Here, companies and researchers from different fields can test ideas, share expertise and move projects forward together. By connecting strengths across the ecosystem, the Arena shortens the path from research to industrial impact and builds the networks and visibility that help companies grow.
The launch in Kista highlighted three priorities that will shape this work: attracting and training more talent, enabling companies to scale in Sweden and connecting regional strengths with both Sweden’s national strategy and Europe’s semiconductor agenda.
Building Sweden’s talent pipeline
The skills gap is one of the semiconductor sector’s most pressing challenges. Established companies point to an urgent need for more engineers and stronger incentives to enter the field.
“One concrete action is to reach engineers earlier in their academic journey so they see Sweden — and Stockholm in particular — as a strong hub with real career paths,” says Niklas Svedin, CTO and co-founder of Silex Microsystems, one of Sweden’s leading semiconductor companies.
Startups share the concern but see a different missing link: the difficulty of giving students and researchers clear entry points into real projects. “The most urgent need is structured competence initiatives that make it easier for students and researchers to engage with industry,” adds Louise Ribrant, VP of Business Development at Myvox, a startup specialising in MEMS ultrasound technology.
Semiconductor Arena is set up to address these needs, from early visibility to practical entry points. In the months ahead, the Arena will roll out initiatives to connect students with companies — starting with a thesis fair. Alongside this, the Electrum Lab will be made more accessible as a shared national resource, giving innovators hands-on access to state-of-the-art equipment.
Beyond engineers, companies also stress the importance of technicians and vocational roles to support large-scale production. To meet this need, the Arena will introduce new vocational training offers, preparing more people for hands-on roles in production.
Creating conditions for growth
Alongside the need for talent, another challenge for Swedish semiconductor companies lies in scaling their business. Moving from a small team to an established company is difficult. Development cycles are long and capital needs are high — and with limited financing options in Sweden, promising startups are too often acquired abroad, taking both competence and value with them.
Semiconductor Arena lowers these barriers by helping companies access infrastructure, connect with investors and build stronger ties across industry and academia.
One example of this approach is Sting’s Test Drive programme, which now includes a dedicated track within Semiconductor Arena to support researchers and startups. Test Drive is a short, workshop-based format that helps teams explore whether an idea can become a company. Concepts are tested with investors and mentors, giving them early clarity, confidence and networks.
“Being part of Semiconductor Arena connects us to a stronger innovation ecosystem at a critical time for both Sweden and Europe,” says Louise Ribrant of Myvox. “The Arena is a way to access competence, infrastructure and partners that can help accelerate development and commercialisation.”
Turning regional strengths into national influence
Sweden’s semiconductor sector has expanded quickly in recent years. Strong research environments, new startups and regional hubs are all contributing to a broader and more dynamic ecosystem. Yet much of this growth has developed in parallel, with initiatives often moving forward without alignment. Without stronger coordination, these efforts risk fragmenting — weakening Sweden’s ability to influence Europe’s semiconductor agenda and build long-term resilience.
Semiconductor Arena makes coordination day-to-day practice. Firmly rooted in Stockholm’s ecosystem, it gives local companies and researchers greater visibility by mapping actors and capabilities, showing who does what and where. By highlighting Stockholm’s semiconductor strengths, the Arena also makes it clearer what the ecosystem can contribute to Sweden’s national strategy and Europe’s semiconductor agenda.
Ultimately, coordination is about positioning — ensuring Sweden is not just part of Europe’s semiconductor agenda but able to shape it. As Niklas Svedin notes, self-sufficiency has become a central issue in Europe, making it urgent to put the semiconductor industry firmly on Sweden’s agenda. “The Arena helps connect industry, academia and policymakers — creating a stronger collective voice,” he says.
Looking ahead
Semiconductor Arena has brought Sweden’s chip sector into closer dialogue, turning collaboration into a working method rather than an exception. The next phase will build on this momentum: translating shared priorities into concrete initiatives — from clearer student pathways to new international connections.
The direction will be set by the ecosystem itself. As new needs emerge — whether in training, infrastructure or policy dialogue — the Arena provides a place to meet them collectively. Anchored in Stockholm and connected to national and EU strategies, it offers Sweden a stronger platform to act collectively in the global chip race.
Do you want to get involved? Reach out to hanna.eldh@kista.com
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Semiconductor Arena is co-funded by the European Union and Region Stockholm and is run by Kista Science City, KTH, RISE and Sting.
Made in Kista: AI on Swedish terms
Artificial intelligence is moving beyond clever applications and into the systems that run our societies. As it becomes embedded in healthcare, finance and education, a central question emerges: where does the technology run, and who controls the data behind it?
For Europe, and for Sweden, the answer is increasingly about AI sovereignty. The EU’s new AI Act is raising the bar for security and accountability, while organisations also want reassurance that sensitive data stays within national borders. Together, these demands are accelerating the push for secure, local solutions. In Kista, that shift is visible with new facilities and projects underway.
Secure AI in Kista
This summer, 6G AI Sweden launched a sovereign AI cloud at atNorth’s data centre in Kista. Built on NVIDIA’s reference architecture and powered by H200 GPUs, the facility gives Swedish organisations access to advanced AI capacity within national borders. The operation complies fully with GDPR and the AI Act, and runs entirely on renewable energy, with surplus heat recycled into Stockholm’s district heating grid. With a multi-billion-SEK hardware investment, the project demonstrates long-term commitment and offers a local alternative to foreign-controlled infrastructure.
In parallel, Berget AI has opened Sweden’s first fully Swedish-owned AI infrastructure and inference service. The facility, also located in Kista, is designed to ensure that no data leaves the country — giving organisations a way to avoid exposure to foreign legislation such as the US Cloud Act. Within months of launch, Berget AI was trusted by Riksbanken with sensitive workloads, underlining that even Sweden’s most security-conscious institutions see value in a local provider.
Together, these projects underline that Sweden’s sovereign AI capacity is no longer a vision but a resource being built in practice.
From ambition to adoption
Europe’s reliance on non-European infrastructure has long been viewed as a vulnerability, limiting control over both security and data. The AI Act is designed to change that, setting clearer standards for trustworthy and accountable systems. For Sweden to meet these standards, the challenge is not a lack of knowledge or ambition, but the step from pilots to large-scale use. That is why the current wave of investments is so important.
By expanding sovereign infrastructure and anchoring capacity locally, Sweden can move from isolated projects to large-scale implementation in ways that ensure both trust and competitiveness. The capacity now being built in Kista is one example of how this future is being grounded in practice — giving Sweden the chance to shape AI on its own terms.
Eight Swedish scaleups head to Munich for Access Germany
The internationalisation of Swedish innovation continues. This week, we bring eight scaleups to Munich for Access Germany — a market entry programme organised by Kista Science City and the German-Swedish Chamber of Commerce.
From 29 September to 1 October, these companies will meet potential customers, investors and industry leaders, and gain insight into one of Europe’s largest and most innovative tech ecosystems.
Meet the companies
The selected scaleups represent sectors ranging from climate tech and automotive software to advanced materials.
We welcome:
- Remotive Labs: Helps automotive teams build, test, and iterate vehicle software at speed.
- Manomotion: Enables machines and devices to be controlled using simple hand movements.
- Nobula 3D: Develops the world’s first affordable 3D printer for glass.
- Cellufy: Offers a sustainable, bio-based alternative to plastic for packaging and products.
- Mediaflow: A platform that helps teams securely manage and share digital content.
- MyVox: MEMS technology transforming how sound and active cooling are integrated in compact electronics.
- NitroCapt: Produces fossil-free nitrogen to make fertilizers climate neutral.
- Smartport: Turns parking areas into smart energy hubs with solar, storage and EV charging.
Access Germany: Tailored market entry
The programme is designed to help fast-scaling deep tech, hardware and B2B businesses shorten the path to international growth.
This week, the delegation travels to Munich for three days of meetings, workshops and networking. Scheduled back-to-back with Bitz & Pretzels, a major European startup gathering, the visit creates opportunities to connect with the wider innovation community while focusing on targeted customer and investor engagements.
Throughout the programme, the companies will receive:
- Exclusive meetings with customers, partners and investors
- Insights into navigating the German business landscape
- Workshops to refine messaging and market positioning
“Breaking into new markets is rarely about technology alone,” says Arash Sangari, Programme Manager at Kista Science City. “It’s about being able to explain your value, build trust quickly and meet the right people at the right time. Access Germany is designed to give companies that platform — compressing months of effort into a few intensive days.”
Upcoming programmes
Later this autumn, applications will open for the 2026 Access programmes, targeting the US, Canada, UK and Germany.
Interested in joining future programmes? Contact arash.sangari@kista.com.
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Access Germany is organised by Kista Science City and the German-Swedish Chamber of Commerce, with funding from the European Union and Region Stockholm.
New paths for Swedish research: Test Drive shows the way
Sweden has a strong tradition of research. This is reflected in the quality of its universities and institutes, and it underpins the country’s reputation for innovation. Yet many ideas still stall in the early stages, left on the shelf before they can be developed into companies. The reasons are rarely about scientific quality; they are about what comes next.
Traditional models — from licensing agreements to longer incubator tracks — play an important role, but they don’t always reach researchers at the point where ideas are just beginning to take shape. Turning research into resilient businesses requires access to infrastructure, early business development and connections to industry. Without those building blocks, promising results risk getting stuck before they reach the market.
That is where new approaches are needed: formats that combine technical insight with business perspective and give early teams the confidence and networks to move forward. One example of such a format is Test Drive, a programme developed and run by our sister organization Sting. This autumn, Sting will launch a Test Drive track within Semiconductor Arena, a national initiative to strengthen Sweden’s semiconductor ecosystem.
A first look at entrepreneurship
Test Drive is a short, workshop-based programme that lets researchers and innovators explore what it would mean to take an idea further. Over four to five sessions, teams bring their own ideas — often two or three people working together — and examine them through a startup lens: could they attract funding, what role would each person need to take, and what would it mean in practice to move forward? The programme ends with a pitch event, giving participants direct feedback from investors.
“We want to give researchers and innovators a picture of what this journey could look like,” says Raoul Stubbe, business coach at Sting. “What does it mean for me personally? What steps would I need to take for this to happen? That’s often what flips a switch — when participants start to think, ‘maybe this really could become something.’ We want people to leave with the feeling that they want their ideas to come out and make a difference in the world.”
Lessons from Test Drive
For many participants, the biggest gain is seeing their work from a completely different angle — one that stands in contrast to the priorities of an academic career. Raoul explains:
“In academia, publication and tenure often come first. Building a company isn’t something you can do on the side. It requires full focus and a different way of thinking. The programme doesn’t make the decision for them, but it shows what’s required — and often gives people the confidence to decide whether to take the leap.”
The outcomes reflect that. Around half of those who complete Test Drive go on to start a company — a high rate compared to other formats. Others choose not to, but highlight the investor feedback, exposure and new perspective as valuable in themselves. “Even if the company doesn’t become what you first imagined, the experience opens up opportunities and a new way of looking at what’s possible. That’s one of the biggest wins,” Raoul says.
Valentin Dubois is CEO and co-founder of Dappler Labs, a startup developing quality-control technology for semiconductor manufacturing. He took part in a Test Drive programme in 2023 and recalls:
“What Test Drive really taught us was how important it is to package an invention into something that can be sold. For academics, that’s not obvious at all. They pushed us to think in terms of a minimum viable product, and also how to pitch a highly technical idea in a way people outside our niche could understand.”
Bridging research and business
Test Drive doesn’t only affect individual decisions. It also reshapes how researchers relate to investors, and vice versa. Many enter the programme with fixed views: researchers seeing investors as focused only on sales, and investors doubting whether researchers can actually lead companies. In Test Drive, those assumptions are tested. By working side by side, participants begin to see the value in each other’s expertise. “It’s about creating respect for the strengths each side brings,” Raoul explains.
The shift can also extend to how researchers view themselves. Raoul points to a particular type of academic who could play a bigger role in bridging this gap — what he calls the entrepreneurial scientist:
“These are individuals who match the rigour of traditional science with the curiosity and drive needed to build companies. Test Drive helps them recognise that identity in themselves — quite often for the first time. The programme shows that entrepreneurial ambition is not at odds with academic credibility, but a way to amplify the impact of their work.”
Moving forward
Test Drive is not a substitute for incubators, accelerators or licensing pathways. But it fills a crucial gap at the beginning of the journey, giving teams a structured first step that many existing models don’t provide. And it can be adapted. “These formats are portable,” Raoul Stubbe notes. “They can be tailored to new domains by adding the right pieces — access to infrastructure, industry mentors, a clear end goal. The principle is the same: help early teams see the path and take the first step.”
That adaptability has already been shown in dedicated tracks on health, energy and AI. The next step is deep tech and semiconductors. Within Semiconductor Arena, Sting will run a Test Drive track to help early-stage teams test and refine their ideas, and move them closer to implementation. With long development cycles and high capital needs, this is a field where early clarity is especially important for emerging teams.
Formats like Test Drive highlight a larger need in Sweden’s innovation system. The challenge is not producing strong research, but making sure it translates into companies and industries. Without that translation, the risk is not only missed growth, but dependency. As Raoul puts it: “This need is not new, but it is more urgent than ever today. Sweden measures up well against the US and China in research, but our weakness in transferring knowledge leaves us dependent on American and Chinese technology.”
Test Drive is one example of how that gap can be addressed. For Sweden, the task now is to make sure more such models take root — so that world-class ideas translate into the businesses, capabilities and resilience the country needs.
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Semiconductor Arena is co-funded by the European Union and Region Stockholm, and is run by Kista Science City, KTH, RISE and Sting.
From testbeds to infrastructure: Air mobility is taking off
Across Sweden, drone-based air mobility is entering a new phase. What has long been limited to isolated tests is now starting to take physical form, through new infrastructure, city-level pilots, and clearer pathways for integration. And while many challenges remain, the groundwork for regulated, large-scale drone use is beginning to take shape.
Kista Science City is part of that shift, working with partners to make drones a trusted part of everyday urban life.
Testing drones in real-world city settings
This autumn, a so-called drone-in-a-box system will be deployed in Stockholm. The trial in Farsta is part of CITYAM, an EU-funded project where the City of Stockholm, Kista Science City and other partners explore how drones can support public services in urban environments.
The drone-in-a-box — a remote-operable station that stores, charges, and launches a drone on schedule — will be used to collect traffic flow data via an onboard camera. But the test is as much about governance as it is about tech. It puts multiple systems to the test: airspace regulation, privacy, multi-agency coordination, and public acceptance.
Drones can’t simply be flown — they must be planned, approved, and trusted. In dense city settings, that need becomes even more critical due to regulatory complexity, risk mitigation, and the challenge of real-world integration. Projects like CITYAM are helping cities understand how that can be done safely and responsibly.
Sweden’s first droneport
On 10 June, Droneport Skellefteå officially opened — marking a milestone in how Sweden approaches drone integration. The facility is one of the world’s first dedicated drone airfields, with designated areas for takeoff, landing, and recharging. Its aim is to enable safe, repeatable drone operations for use cases like emergency response, medical logistics, and industrial transport.
Karolina Pamp from Kista Science City joined the inauguration panel to discuss how this kind of infrastructure changes the game: “This is a strong signal that Sweden is ready to move from individual tests to shared infrastructure. We’re seeing drones take a real step into public space — and that opens up new possibilities for cities, industry and emergency services alike. It also connects nicely to the drone work we’re doing in Kista, with new tests just around the corner.”
Internationally, only a few countries have taken this kind of step, and Sweden is now among them.
Building the conditions for broader use
Drone technology is well established, but integrating it into everyday urban life is not. That gap is no longer just about regulation or safety — it’s also about communication, coordination, and the ability to show who benefits and how. This is one of the key takeaways from projects like CITYAM, where tests are as much about governance as they are about the tech itself.
”The technology is already here. But until people understand what drones can actually do for them, progress will stay slow,” says Isabelle Nyroth, technical advisor at Kista Science City. ”We need examples that feel real and relatable. Otherwise, this risks becoming just another promising technology that never quite lands. The good news is we’re now starting to see those examples emerge — and when they do, they open people’s eyes to what’s possible.”
What’s next?
Routine drone operations won’t happen overnight. But Sweden is taking visible steps in that direction. As infrastructure emerges and urban pilots expand, the focus is shifting from proving the technology to proving the use cases — whether that’s monitoring traffic flows, transporting medical supplies, or supporting emergency services, to name a few.
That’s the next challenge for drone-based air mobility. Not just to fly, but to fit into the systems, rules, and realities that shape everyday life.
Get involved
Do you want to learn more or explore future collaborations? Reach out to isabelle.nyroth@kista.com
Thales and Kista Science City launch Nordic cybersecurity partnership
Sweden is gaining a new route into the global cybersecurity landscape. Through a partnership with Thales, Kista Science City becomes the Nordic entry point to Trust My Tech — a programme that helps startups test, refine and scale trusted tech in real-world environments.
The collaboration connects Swedish companies with one of the world’s leading defence and digital security firms and opens the door to high-potential markets, expert mentorship, and global infrastructure.
Strengthening Sweden’s cybersecurity ecosystem
Trust My Tech is Thales Digital Factory’s open-innovation programme, designed to help early-stage companies grow by solving real problems in operational settings. Selected startups collaborate closely with Thales teams over a 12-week sprint to test and scale solutions in high-stakes environments. They benefit from 1:1 expert mentorship, advanced platforms, and validation through a global customer network.
With strategic Trust My Tech hubs in Paris, Montreal, and Singapore, Thales is now establishing Kista as its Nordic scouting outpost.
For Swedish startups, scale-ups, SMEs, and software developers, the collaboration offers a rare opportunity to validate solutions faster and access international markets. The partnership enables collaboration on critical areas like cybersecurity, advanced AI, quantum, and dual-use applications — fields where Sweden already holds strong technical capabilities.
As the regional partner, Kista Science City will support Thales in identifying promising companies, building collaborations, and co-creating local business value that can scale beyond Sweden’s borders.
“This collaboration reflects our mutual commitment to advance innovation, security, and sustainable growth within the cybersecurity ecosystem in Sweden and Europe,” says Karin Bengtsson, CEO of Kista Science City. “By partnering with Trust My Tech, we aim to empower emerging technologies and contribute to a safer digital future in times of growing uncertainty.”
For Thales, the move is part of a broader innovation strategy that relies on strong regional ecosystems and credible local partners.
“Through this collaboration in Sweden, Thales will contribute its world-class cybersecurity capabilities to bolster the Cybersecurity Hub hosted by Kista Science City,” says Håkan Ahlström, Country Director, Sweden and Finland at Thales. “The partnership enhances the hub’s international reputation and supports a dynamic, innovation-driven environment for Swedish startups.”
Join the next programme
Swedish companies can now apply to join the next Trust My Tech programme running from September to mid-December 2025.
Participating companies will gain hands-on support from Thales’ experts, real-world validation opportunities, and exposure to Thales’ global customer base. Additionally, they can choose to work from optional workspace in the Kista Science Tower, offering opportunities to collaborate with other innovators in Kista’s tech ecosystem.
Applications close on 29 August and will be reviewed promptly. Selected startups will be invited to a virtual pre-pitch on 5 September, ahead of final selection.
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For more information, reach out to sakarias.strand@kista.com
Opening doors for Swedish tech: Lessons from Access UK
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.
Image Credit: Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK
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.
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.
Kista companies invest early in future tech talent
Sweden’s new STEM strategy has set ambitious goals for education and industry collaboration. In Kista, companies are moving from policy to practice — meeting students sooner, building relationships, and redefining what it means to secure tomorrow’s tech talent.
In February 2025, the Swedish government launched a new STEM strategy to strengthen education and encourage closer collaboration between schools and industry — from preschool through to PhD. The goal is to raise performance, broaden participation, and help more young people find a path into science, technology, engineering, and maths.
This national focus is echoed in Kista, where more companies are choosing to act early instead of waiting until students are ready to enter the workforce. They’re hosting workshops, running hands-on activities, and listening to young people’s perspectives. This isn’t about charity; it’s a business-critical move.
IBM and eCiceron are two companies putting this new approach into action. We asked them what’s driving this shift — and what they’ve learned so far.
From policy to practice
At IBM, that work includes national initiatives like the Cybersecurity Academy — developed together with MSB and Unga Forskare to build digital safety skills and spark interest in tech. In 2024 alone, the programme reached over 260,000 children and young people through workshops, events, and training. The aim is to reach even more this year.
eCiceron, a Kista-based tech firm specialising in digital security, has stepped up its involvement with local talent. The company recently participated in Tech Talent Connect — part of Systemvetardagen — where more than 500 university students in cybersecurity, AI, and computer science were matched with prospective employers. Events like these help eCiceron both raise its profile among young people and hear firsthand what tomorrow’s tech professionals care about.
The value of acting early
For both IBM and eCiceron, early engagement with young people isn’t just about visibility — it’s a way to stay relevant and adaptable in a rapidly changing tech landscape.
“We want to ensure a diverse and future-ready workforce,” says Evelina Pärnerud, CSR Manager at IBM. “By reaching young people early, we can spark an interest in technology—not just for those who will work directly in the industry, but for everyone. Tech literacy is becoming essential for all sectors of society.”
Marc Rantanen, CEO of eCiceron, puts it this way: “The biggest benefit is not just access to new skills, but the cultural and strategic agility this new generation contributes. By integrating young talent early, we future-proof our company and keep ourselves on the edge of innovation and culture.”
For both companies, the focus is shifting away from simply filling roles. The goal is to build a talent pool that’s adaptable, curious, and aligned with how technology — and society — are evolving.
Two-way learning
Opening up to students has become a way for companies to challenge their own thinking and adapt to new perspectives. Both IBM and eCiceron say that working with students has sparked fresh ideas inside their own teams.
“Young people are incredibly smart, and they often push us to think in new ways,” says Evelina Pärnerud. At IBM, student interactions have sparked internal conversations around how problems are framed, what assumptions are held, and how openness to new perspectives can unlock innovation.
eCiceron has seen similar effects. “We’ve had cases where a student, with the right mindset, has accelerated into the business faster than a more senior professional,” Rantanen explains. “That challenged our assumptions about the typical learning curve. Potential and attitude can outweigh experience — especially in tech.”
These experiences aren’t one-offs. For companies, working with students is becoming part of a bigger shift. One where recruitment and development are less about static processes, and more about building ongoing relationships and learning together.
The risk of waiting
Some companies already treat student engagement as a core strategy. Others are still deciding when — or if — to get started. But as competition for talent intensifies, the argument for early action keeps getting stronger.
That risk isn’t just about missing the best candidates. “It’s about staying relevant, competitive, and prepared for the challenges ahead,” says Evelina Pärnerud. Students form impressions early, and by the time they enter the job market, many already know which companies they associate with purpose, opportunity, or innovation. Getting on their radar early should be a top priority.
Rantanen at eCiceron warns that companies who wait too long to build relationships with students risk losing relevance — both technically and culturally: “Without strong pipelines from academia and youth communities, companies may face a talent cliff where the next generation simply doesn’t consider them relevant or attractive.
Moreover, without the diversity of thought that young professionals bring, companies may fall into stagnant thinking and miss out on disruptive ideas. In our industry, that can mean falling behind in security innovation, failing to adopt new standards, or not seeing emerging customer needs early enough.”
The next generation will decide which companies feel relevant, innovative, and worth joining. Those building relationships today will likely be the ones to attract talent tomorrow.
National priorities, local action
Sweden’s new STEM strategy sets the direction: stronger tech education, earlier engagement, and closer collaboration between schools and industry. But policies only matter when they’re put into practice, and that happens locally.
In Kista, these ambitions are already becoming reality. Companies are joining school-led initiatives, opening their doors to students, and finding new ways to support the education ecosystem. Some are building long-term partnerships, while others start small — with a single event, workshop, or class visit.
The common denominator is a shift in mindset. In practice, this means the gap between education and industry is narrowing — one conversation at a time.
“We’re seeing more companies in Kista get involved in talent initiatives — especially in areas like cybersecurity, semiconductors, and AI,” says Mikaela Färnqvist, Talent and Community Manager at Kista Science City. “Our role is to coordinate these efforts and make it easier for companies to get involved—whether it’s through major initiatives or smaller actions. By staying committed and actually working together, we can achieve results that matter and last.”
For those who haven’t begun yet, the path forward is clear. Reach out to mikaela.farnqvist@kista.com to get involved!
From code to clinic: New lab tech from Qamcom and Mabtech
What happens when two companies from entirely different domains team up, and stay teamed up? In the case of Mabtech and Qamcom, nearly a decade of collaboration has led to EYRA: a new research platform designed to streamline high-precision lab work in immunology.
Mabtech, a biotech firm specialising in immunoassays and instruments for research, brought the scientific insight. Qamcom, an engineering company based in Kista, contributed deep technical expertise. Together, they’ve built a system that makes it faster and easier to detect dozens of immune-related analytes — and is poised to being used across various research fields such as vaccines, inflammation, and infectious diseases.
Making lab work easier
EYRA, a purpose-built confocal microscope, supports a method called multiplex immunoassays, which allows researchers to analyse many immune markers in a single run. The platform delivers high-sensitivity with minimal manual work — no calibration, fluid handling, or clean-up required — and is designed to support long-term studies without compromising consistency.
“What really makes an advanced instrument like EYRA different is the simplicity,” says Christian Smedman, CTO at Mabtech. “It’s so user-friendly that even someone with no lab experience could use it — and that’s not something you could say about competing systems.”
Its intuitive setup also supports automation, a key factor for labs scaling up to clinical trials and larger research programmes.
Combined expertise, shared goals
The development of EYRA wasn’t a one-off assignment. It was the outcome of a long-term R&D collaboration that started in 2016 and kept evolving through two full-scale product development phases, feature upgrades, and continued joint refinement.
Mabtech guided the scientific direction and core functionality. Qamcom provided the complete design and development of the laser-based instrument.
“We don’t have the technical know-how to put together a sophisticated instrument like EYRA,” says Smedman. “But we helped shape it by working together with Qamcom’s engineers toward better performance and a more intuitive user experience. From the very beginning, we’ve talked about our cooperation with Qamcom, since it gives us credibility in an area where we don’t have expertise.”
Ann Louise Johansson, General Manager at Qamcom, notes that the working structure played a big role in building alignment and trust over time.
“From day one, we’ve met face-to-face every four weeks to set directions, handle issues, and decide on next steps,” she says. “Even when we weren’t in active development phases, we kept that rhythm. That consistency helped us stay aligned and ensure focus on the right things.”
As Johansson sees it, strong expertise and trust — across disciplines and over time — are what made the project succeed.
“It’s at the intersection of disciplines where the most powerful breakthroughs happen. No single team could have done this alone. But together, we’ve built something that can make an impact and genuinely improve outcomes in bioscience and public health.”
Innovation and security in the grey zone
The boundaries of conflict are shifting. Today, national security isn’t just tested on battlefields, but in boardrooms, research labs, and everyday digital infrastructure. This is the grey zone: a space between peace and war, where hostile actors use influence, manipulation, and stealth to undermine companies and institutions.
For an open, innovation-driven country like Sweden, that creates a growing dilemma. The same systems that support talent exchange, global research, and technological development are also becoming points of vulnerability — quietly targeted, tested, and exploited.
At Safeguarding innovation in uncertain times, we brought together the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO) and experts from national security, cybersecurity, and industry to examine what this new landscape means for Sweden’s innovation ecosystem. This article explores the central themes of the day, covering the threats undermining innovation, and how companies, policymakers, and researchers can respond to meet them.
Mr. Cooper Wimmer
What we must protect
According to the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO), the threats facing Sweden today are increasingly complex: diffuse, fast-moving, and often hidden in plain sight. They range from cybercriminals-for-hire to hostile foreign investments, from data leaks to manipulation campaigns designed to destabilize and undermine trust.
In this landscape, even simple tactics can cause outsised harm. And the traditional idea of national no longer applies. What’s at stake is broader: economic independence, civil freedoms, and Sweden’s ability to innovate without compromise. The core challenge is speed — our protections aren’t evolving as fast as the threats we face.
The answer, according to SÄPO, isn’t to cut ties or close borders. It’s to raise awareness, clarify internal priorities, and approach international partnerships with eyes open. “De-risk, don’t decouple” was the message. That means asking three simple questions across every organisation: What needs protecting? From whom? And how?
From openness to strategic awareness
Sweden’s openness has long supported growth and collaboration, but that same openness is now being exploited at scale. Foreign powers aren’t just targeting systems — they’re systematically tracking individuals: students, researchers, and employees abroad who can provide access to sensitive knowledge and IP.
This warning came from Cooper Wimmer, Executive Vice President at Strider, who highlighted how IP theft has already had serious consequences. In the U.S., such breaches cost the economy between $350–500 billion in 2024 alone. One company raised $500 million, scaled quickly, and then collapsed after its innovation was stolen. Sweden risks facing similar outcomes unless awareness catches up to the threat.
“The defense isn’t retreat or isolation,” said Wimmer. “Sweden must move from openness-as-default to strategic awareness. That means using data, AI, and open-source intelligence to detect patterns, level the playing field, and protect innovation without cutting ties. Technology can help, but it’s mindset that makes the difference.”
In a world of manufactured chaos, trust is the first casualty
Some of today’s most powerful attacks don’t target systems — they target trust. Disinformation, conflicting signals, and manipulated narratives are now common tools used to confuse, destabilise, and devide societies.
Dr Gazmend Huskaj, Head of Global Cyber and Security Policy at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a key example. During those turbulent years, shifting policies and misinformation made it difficult for both public and private actors to navigate the crisis. And the result wasn’t only confusion. Many people disengaged entirely, creating a vacuum that opportunistic actors could exploit.
In an environment shaped by confusion and distrust, short-term fixes only add to the noise. What’s needed is long-term strategic clarity, stronger internal coordination, and a commitment to information hygiene. Because in a world where chaos is manufactured, resilience depends on the quality — not just the quantity — of the information we rely on.
Dr. Gazmend Huskaj
Ms. Joanna Partyka
Business as critical infrastructure
In today’s threat landscape, companies aren’t just protecting their assets — they’re helping protect Sweden. Businesses have become central to national security, and that makes them targets. These attacks rarely involve dramatic takedowns. Instead, they focus on people. Insider threats, disinformation, and subtle trust manipulation are now common tactics—used to undermine leadership, damage reputations, or destabilise supply chains.
This human-centred risk was a key focus for Joanna Partyka, Senior Security Advisor at Redpill Linpro. Too many organisations, she argued, still treat security as a checkbox—something to be ticked off rather than built in. She called for a mindset shift: one that embeds security into daily operations — from onboarding and reporting systems to supplier screening and insider threat detection.
Culture plays a crucial role in supporting this shift. Firewalls can’t stop a manipulated employee from causing harm. If resilience is to mean anything, it has to live inside the business.
Rethinking the cybersecurity industry
Not all vulnerabilities come from external threats. Some of the most persistent failures in cybersecurity are self-inflicted, and they continue despite decades of investment. Major breaches are still common. Even basic practices — like not reusing passwords — remain widely ignored, including within the industry itself.
During a live demonstration at the event, ethical hacker and entrepreneur David Jacoby turned the spotlight on the industry itself. He argued that it often prioritises frameworks and technical fixes over real-world usability and human behaviour. Too many solutions are bolted on after the fact, misunderstood by users, or poorly aligned with the way people actually work.
Instead of chasing the next innovation, organisations should focus on getting the basics right. That means smarter implementation, stronger leadership engagement, and building security in from the very start — not patching it on after the fact.
From insight to action: Building resilience together
In one of the day’s final sessions, Kim Elman (Northwave Cyber Security), Angelica Holmgren (EY), and Dr Gazmend Huskaj explored how organisations can translate growing awareness into concrete action. The panelists outlined several practical actions that any organisation — large or small — can take to build long-term resilience:
- Design security into products from the start, rather than adding it later as a compliance step.
- Protect your most valuable assets—the “crown jewels”—with focused, effective security measures.
- Build a security-aware culture across teams, using incentives, training, and leadership support.
- Start small with threat intelligence sharing, in trusted networks, and scale as maturity grows.
For smaller organisations, the message was especially direct: assign responsibility, protect what matters most, and scale your security practices as the business grows. Because in the grey zone, no organisation is too small — or too irrelevant — to be a target.
Ms. Angelica Holmgren and Mr. Kim Elman
Get involved
Safeguarding innovation is a shared responsibility. If you’re working at the intersection of tech, security, or national resilience and want to explore future initiatives with Kista Science City, reach out to Sakarias Strand at sakarias.strand@kista.com.