The Nordic hardtech community

For everyone building hard things in the Nordics.

Hardtech is innovative, complex and physical. Nordic Hardtech exists so the people who build it, fund it and enable it can find each other.

174
Investors mapped
1161
Ecosystem companies
37
Podcast episodes
8,000+
Newsletter readers

The funding map

ALL 174 INVESTORS →

Every Nordic investor with documented hardtech investments, plus the grants and public instruments that fund the other half of the journey from lab to factory.

Bust

Investment CompanySE

Nordic early-stage investor backing mission-driven founders building global companies.

Backed:Hemla

Nea Partners

Investment CompanySE

Growth equity investor supporting mature tech companies in the Nordics with active ownership.

Backed:Qvantum, Hammerglass, VisionSense

Katalysen Ventures

Investment CompanySE

Stockholm-listed venture developer founded in 2016 that puts knowledge, hands-on support and capital into early-stage owner-led companies, often through its Venture Targeter turnaround framework, in exchange for equity and warrants. Core holdings span bioanalytics, diagnostics, event tech and digital asset compliance, with a wider portfolio of roughly 20 smaller stakes across the Nordics, DACH and beyond.

Backed:QuTEM, S4DX, iReality, Manico, Skawen, ConexBird, WebbEss

Climentum

Venture CapitalSE

European climate-focused VC investing in startups with measurable CO₂ reduction potential.

Backed:Jolt, Kärnfull, Qvantum

Fåhraeus Startup and Growth

Venture CapitalSE

Fåhraeus Startup and Growth (FSG) is a Lund, Sweden-based venture capital fund focused on early-growth and expansion-stage life science and tech companies across the Nordics, with investments spanning MedTech, diagnostics, pharma, and deep tech.

Backed:Airsonett, Beamonics, SAGA Diagnostics, Promimic, Moroxite F, OssDsign, Iconovo, Trackpaw, Fidabio

Further Than Capital

Investment CompanySE

Early-stage investment firm supporting impact-driven startups solving global challenges.

Backed:Terasi, Radtonics

Antler

Venture CapitalSENODKFIINTL

Global early-stage venture capital firm with a dedicated always-on residency model in the Nordics, investing from day zero through Series C.

Backed:Evyon (battery storage from repurposed EV batteries)

EQT (Scaleup Europe Fund)

Investment CompanyPublic FundingSEEU

EQT is a Stockholm-founded global investment organization managing the Scaleup Europe Fund, a €5bn public-private growth vehicle backed by the European Commission and institutions including Novo Holdings, EIFO and Wallenberg Investments, aimed at scaling Europe's most promising deep-tech companies from Series B to pre-IPO.

Backed:ICEYE (Espoo-based SAR satellite constellation operator); EQT Ventures portfolio also includes The Exploration Company (aerospace/space)

Plug & Play Gothenburg

Venture CapitalINTL

Plug and Play Gothenburg is the Nordic mobility hub of the global Plug and Play Tech Center network, based at The Yard in Lindholmen Science Park with Volvo Cars as founding partner. It runs corporate innovation and accelerator programs connecting startups with mobility and automotive corporates, but no Gothenburg-specific portfolio company list is publicly documented.

Backed:N/A

SINTEF Venture

Corporate VenturePublic FundingNOEU

Corporate venture capital arm of SINTEF, one of Europe's largest independent research organizations. Commercializes IP and spins out deep tech ventures from SINTEF and NTNU research, investing through successive seed and early-stage funds (SINTEF Venture III through VI).

Backed:Sonair, Cartesian, Hystar, MoreScope, Mia Health, poLight, Nomono, Zivid

Bure Equity

Investment CompanySE

Bure is a long-term principal owner of operating companies, supporting portfolio companies through active ownership and value-driving initiatives.

Backed:Mycronic, Cavotec, Silex Microsystems, Ovzon

Lagercrantz Group

Investment CompanySE

Technology group investing in and developing B2B companies in electronics and communication.

The ecosystem

ALL 1161 COMPANIES →

Who builds, supplies and enables hardtech across the Nordics, from garage startups to industrial giants. Browse by role, phase and vertical.

Airforestry

ProductRobotics & AutomationSE

Airforestry develops aerial tree harvesting technology using drones to perform forest thinning, reducing carbon emissions and preserving biodiversity.

SMP Parts

ProductManufacturing & Industrial TechSENO

We have extensive experience in manufacturing high-quality products for excavators. We design and manufacture our products in our own factory in Ilsbo, Sweden.

Rosemount Tank Radar AB

ProductManufacturing & Industrial TechSE

Rosemount Tank Radar AB, part of Emerson, manufactures radar-based tank gauging systems for the process industry.

Chordate Medical

ProductHealth & MedtechSE

A Swedish medical technology company that has developed, patented and CE-marked Ozilia, a neuromodulation and drug-free treatment technology for chronic migraine and chronic rhinitis.

Arctic Space Technologies

ProductSpaceAerospace & AviationSE

Arctic Space Technologies provides ground station services and cloud-based satellite data handling solutions, integrating AI and machine learning for enhanced satellite communications.

TerraBarrier

ProductHydrogen & FuelsManufacturing & Industrial TechSE

TerraBarrier develops an inward-growing coating technology that gives stainless steels and nickel alloys superior resistance to corrosion, hydrogen permeation and embrittlement for use in hydrogen, chemical processing, energy and manufacturing applications.

Megger Sweden AB

SupplierDistribution & SupplySEAcquired by ESCO Technologies Inc.

Supplies electrical testing and measurement equipment for various industries, ensuring safety and reliability in power systems.

SUNAQ

ProductEnergy & GridNO

SUB Solar is a floating solar solution for ocean-based renewable energy, developed by SUNAQ to reduce diesel consumption and emissions on aquaculture feeding barges.

Katla Aero

ProductMobility & TransportSE

Develops electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban mobility.

OnRobot

SupplierRobotics & AutomationDK

OnRobot is headquartered in Odense, Denmark, and provides hardware and software solutions for collaborative robot applications, including grippers, force/torque sensors, vision, and tool changers.

Cognibotics

ProductRobotics & AutomationSE

Develops advanced robotics systems and motion control solutions for industrial applications.

E.ON

ProductEnergy & GridSE

Provides energy solutions focusing on sustainability, including smart grids and renewable energy systems.

One sharp email, every two weeks.

Hardtech news from the Nordics and beyond, new raises, events worth travelling for, and the deadlines you should not miss.

Raising for something innovative, complex and physical? Apply in five minutes. We curate, and your round reaches the readers of the newsletter, including the investors on the map. The list is open for the first entries.

The podcast

ALL 37 EPISODES →

Conversations with the founders and funders of Nordic hardtech.

EP 12

Dora Palfi and imagi: From Neuroscience to Neon Pixels

Episode #12: From Neuroscience to Neon Pixels with imagi Dora Palfi , co-founder and CEO of edtech company imagi , joins the podcast to talk about building tools that make tech education more accessible, playful — and empowering, especially for girls. With a background in both neuroscience and computer science, Dora shares her journey from research to entrepreneurship, and how imagi is redefining

LISTEN →
EP 3

Ulrika Tornerefelt och Stella Futura: Från grön vision till laddad expansion [SWE]

#3. Från grön vision till laddad expansion Ulrika Tornerefelt , grundare av Stella Futura , gästar podden och berättar om resan från hållbarhetsrådgivning till att bygga ett snabbväxande energibolag. Från Västafrika till svenska stödtjänstmarknaden, och från idé till skalbar affärsmodell inom “battery as a service”. Vi pratar om lönsam expansion, affärsmodellering, finansieringsstrategier och hur

LISTEN →
EP 21

Madelene Näslund: Business Region Gothenburg – Live from The Yard [ENG]

🤝 This episode is produced in collaboration with The Yard — a combined coworking space and machine hall for startups in Gothenburg. A unique workspace with industrial feeling. Check out their memberships or take a tour . Episode 21 – Gothenburg Rising: Where Legacy Meets Innovation Madelene Näslund from Business Region Gothenburg joins us to explore why the city is emerging as a leading Nordic har

LISTEN →
EP 18

Stina Lantz och SISP: Så bygger vi ett starkare innovationssystem

#18.Så bygger vi ett starkare innovationssystem Stina Lantz , VD på SISP (Swedish Incubators and Science Parks), gästar podden och berättar om inkubatorernas och science parks roll i det svenska innovationssystemet. Med bakgrund som entreprenör, affärsutvecklare och programledare för Ignite Sweden har Stina jobbat med över 1300 startups. I dag leder hon SISP – en medlemsorganisation som samlar 63

LISTEN →
EP 5

Rickard Bröms och Vässla: Full gas till fritt fall [SWE]

#5. Full gas till fritt fall Rickard Bröms , grundare av Vässla , gästar podden och berättar hur bolaget gick från Blockets enda elmoppe till internationell elfordonssatsning – och till slut in i rekonstruktion. Vi pratar om produktstrategi, supply chain, kapitaljakt och vad som händer när verkligheten kör över visionen. Men också om hur en idé kan leva vidare, även efter en konkurs. I det här avs

LISTEN →
EP 10

Kurt Högnelid och Waybler: Laddlogik för nästa elbilsvåg [SWE]

#10. Laddlogik för nästa elbilsvåg Kurt Högnelid , VD och medgrundare av Waybler , gästar podden och berättar hur bolaget bygger ett laddsystem för lägenheter och kontor – med smart styrning, lokal produktion och ett eget moln i ryggen. Kurt har grundat sju bolag inom medtech, IT och energi, och varit entreprenör i över 20 år. Med Waybler bygger han nu för tillväxt på en marknad som både boomat oc

LISTEN →
EP 29

Johan Outinen – Elvy & the Energy Subscription Play: 15 Years of Heat, Trust and Risk [ENG]

#29. Elvy & the Energy Subscription Play: 15 Years of Heat, Trust and Risk Johan Outinen , CEO and co-founder of Elvy Energy , joins the pod to explain why households should lock in their energy for the next 15 years, and how simplicity can unlock the transition. Elvy Energy is rewriting the rules of home energy with flat-rate subscriptions that cover installation, insurance, maintenance, and even

LISTEN →
EP 8

Helene Winberg och Frontside: När fabriken växer av sig själv [SWE]

#8. När fabriken växer av sig själv Helene Winberg , vd och delägare av Frontside , intervjuas live på Evertiq Expo i Göteborg. Vi pratar om hur man skalar svensk kontraktstillverkning utan PR-maskin och hype, men med djupt fokus på kvalitet och kompetens. Frontside har producerat elektronik i Mölnlycke sedan 1990. Under ett tioårigt generationsskifte tog Helene över ledarskapet i familjeföretaget

LISTEN →
EP 37

Lisa Eriksson (KTH Innovation) – Building Europe’s Deeptech Pipeline

37. Building Europe’s Deeptech Pipeline Lisa Eriksson , Head of KTH Innovation and CEO of KTH Ventures , joins the Nordic Hardtech Podcast to discuss what it takes to turn world-class research into venture-backed companies. KTH Innovation supports hundreds of founders, researchers and students every year, helping transform ideas into startups across fields such as AI, energy, semiconductors, life

LISTEN →
EP 30

Per Brickstad – Transparent & the Quest for Timeless Tech

#30. The Quest for Timeless Tech Per Brickstad , founder and chief designer at Transparent , joins us in our 30th episode – a milestone worth noting. Transparent is on a mission to become the world’s first circular tech brand, building modular and upgradable audio gear that challenges consumer electronics’ throwaway logic. From a Stockholm design studio to a global hardware company, this is the st

LISTEN →
EP 23

Linda Krondahl från Things: Från hype till handling – hur deeptech blir business [SWE]

Avsnitt 23. Från hype till handling – hur deeptech blir business Linda Krondahl , vd på Things och medgrundare till Ignite Sweden , gästar podden och berättar om sin resa från solenergiprojekt i Indien till att bygga ett nav för deeptech i Sverige. Det här är ett avsnitt om hur affärer slår visioner – och varför svenska storbolag måste vakna. Vi pratar om hur Things blev en katalysator för hardtec

LISTEN →
EP 6

Karin Ebbinghaus – Från bilbana till elväg: så elektrifierar Elonroad transportsektorn [SWE]

#6. Från bilbana till elväg: så elektrifierar Elonroad transportsektorn Karin Ebbinghaus , vd på Elonroad , gästar podden och berättar om hur bolaget transformerar sättet vi laddar elfordon – från stationär laddning till dynamiska elskenor som ger energi medan fordonet rullar. Det är en berättelse om hur ett experiment i Lego blev ett bolag med CE-märkta produkter, internationella kunder och ambit

LISTEN →

Insights

ALL INSIGHTS →

What we have learned about building, scaling and funding hard things in the Nordics.

INSIGHT

The Unscalable Edge: why hardtech wins by starting slow

Argues that hardtech's early, unscalable phase builds the real-world knowledge that later makes scale possible.

READ →
INSIGHT

Deep Tech Needs to Go Deeper (Except Here)

A guest column argues Europe should focus on defensible niches like physical AI, quantum applications and precision biomanufacturing instead of chasing China everywhere.

READ →
INSIGHT

When Hardware Meets Awesome

Johan Ronnestam argues hardtech brands need archetypes and cultural resonance, not just working tech, to survive AI-driven disruption.

READ →
INSIGHT

Robotics That Count: 10 Bold Builders to Watch in the Nordics

A curated field guide to ten Nordic robotics companies showing where autonomy meets industry today.

READ →
INSIGHT

Quantum That Counts: 10 Nordic Quantum Pioneers to Watch

A curated look at ten Nordic companies turning quantum research into commercial hardware and software.

READ →
INSIGHT

Print, Charge, Scale: Then Go Again

How Exeger's Giovanni Fili built a flexible solar cell platform and factory from scratch against the odds.

READ →
INSIGHT

Nordic Hardtech x Lightbringer: IP just got interesting!

Tired of slow, expensive patents? Lightbringer flips the script. Discover how AI-driven IP can help you protect ideas, raise capital, and build real leverage.

READ →
INSIGHT

Höstens åtta avsnitt – här är lärdomarna och råden

Under hösten det släppts åtta avsnitt där jag intervjuat ledare för hårdvarubolag. Det har varit åtta unika samtal, med gemensamma nämnare. Vad kan andra (hårdvaru)bolagsbyggare lära sig?

READ →
INSIGHT

The Hardtech Christmas List: What Nordic Founders Really Want

A December reflection on the unglamorous but essential conditions Nordic hardtech founders actually need to keep building.

READ →
INSIGHT

Geography Is Back On The Map

Eight Nordic hardtech firms show that staying close to factories and industry can be a competitive edge, not a limit.

READ →
INSIGHT

Now Launching: Nordic Hardtech

READ →
INSIGHT

Gothenburg Rising: where legacy meets innovation

An analysis of how Gothenburg's industrial legacy and collaborative culture are fueling its rise as a Nordic hardtech hub.

READ →

Kept accurate by the community

Anyone can suggest an investor, flag an error, or submit an event, a job or a raise. Every suggestion is checked and prepared before it goes live. Nothing publishes unreviewed.

One sharp email, every two weeks.

Hardtech news from the Nordics and beyond, new raises, events worth travelling for, and the deadlines you should not miss.