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Stockholm’s Early-Stage Edge, and What’s Missing
- Stockholm has a high startup density in Europe, ranking #2 in unicorns per capita in Europe behind Estonia.
- Sweden provides low corporate tax rates, real R&D incentives, and a smoother visa process for startups.
- The Stockholm ecosystem is characterized by close-knit networks among founders, angels, VCs, and public-sector players.
- The angel community in Stockholm is robust, with many repeat founders from successful companies like Klarna and Spotify.
- While early-stage funding is strong in Stockholm, late-stage rounds often rely on foreign investors, leading to challenges.
- Stockholm lacks a strong state-backed co-investment model at the Series B and C level, contributing to capital challenges.
- There is a shortage of commercial leadership talent in Stockholm, affecting growth and retention of startups.
- Diversity in funding and underrepresented founders remain a challenge in Stockholm's ecosystem.
- The cost of living in Stockholm is increasing, posing challenges for junior hires and early-stage teams.
- Despite challenges, Stockholm's AI startup scene is growing, with companies like Sana and Depict leading the way.
- Investors see potential in Stockholm's early-stage pipeline, but a gap in late-stage capital presents opportunities for growth.
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