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.
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.
Qarlbo
Qarlbo is the Stockholm-based family office of EQT founder Conni Jonsson, active in entertainment, hospitality, financial holdings, property, biodiversity and energy. Its energy arm, Qarlbo Energy, is jointly owned with FAM and invests in green hydrogen infrastructure through its subsidiary Hydri, which builds and operates hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy transport across Sweden.
LiU Invest
LiU Invest is the investment company within LiU Holding, owned by Linköping University. It backs early-stage companies commercializing research and student projects from the university, typically investing up to 500,000 SEK per round, and works alongside sister companies LEAD (incubator) and Unitalent.
Vinnova
Sweden’s innovation agency funding research and innovation that strengthens sustainable growth and societal benefit.
Further Than Capital
Early-stage investment firm supporting impact-driven startups solving global challenges.
Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the EU's flagship research and innovation funding programme (2021-2027, ~€93.5B budget), whose EIC Accelerator and EIC Fund provide blended grant/equity financing to deep-tech and hardtech startups and SMEs across the EU and associated countries, including recurring Nordic recipients (e.g., Swedish and Danish EIC Accelerator winners) and EIC info-day activity in the Nordics (e.g. Copenhagen). Because it funds via competitive, rolling calls with only partial per-round public disclosure, no single exhaustive portfolio list exists; qualifies as a Public Funding instrument rather than a conventional VC.
Tesi
Finnish government-owned investment company supporting sustainable economic growth through equity investments in Finnish companies.
SEB Greentech VC
SEB Greentech Venture Capital is the Swedish bank's corporate VC unit investing directly from SEB's balance sheet into green technology companies, mainly in the Nordic and Baltic region with a broader European reach. It writes initial tickets of SEK 10-40 million from a SEK 1 billion mandate, taking active minority stakes with board seats in hardware, software and platform companies working on renewable energy, energy storage, water and agricultural technology, circular business models and waste management.
Innovation Norway
Norway's state-owned instrument for grants, loans and guarantees to innovative companies, spanning early oppstartstilskudd startup grants through billion-kroner risk loans for battery gigafactories under the green industrial push. In 2025 it deployed 9.4 billion NOK across grants, loans and guarantees, with rolling applications year round.
Saab Ventures
Saab Ventures is Saab's corporate venture arm, set up in 2001 to spin out technology from Saab's engineering base into independent companies and to spin in outside startups that complement Saab's core business. It runs from Sweden with a portfolio that currently spans ten active holdings, including Applied Actuators, ReVibe Energy, MicroDri and Wheelscanning, alongside spin-outs such as Minesto and Cold Cut Systems, and its parent Saab has also made direct strategic bets like the USD 10 million lead investment in rocket company Pythom Space.
Skåne Ventures
Regional VC initiative boosting startup capital access across southern Sweden.
Aligned VC
Aligned VC is an early-stage and growth-stage venture capital firm based in Stockholm, founded in 2019 by Eric Carlson Rydman and Christian af Jochnick, investing across a broad range of industries from consumer and fintech to health and mobility.
Nordfas Invest AB
Nordfas Invest AB is a Gullspång, Sweden based family investment company owned by the Lööf family. Its core holding is Partex Marking Systems, a global manufacturer of industrial wire, cable and component marking systems, and it has more recently backed the youth wellness app SoulBuddy.
The ecosystem
ALL 1120 COMPANIES →Who builds, supplies and enables hardtech across the Nordics, from garage startups to industrial giants. Browse by role, phase and vertical.
Deep Light Vision
Deep Light Vision develops Ultrasound Optical Tomography (UOT), combining ultrasound, laser spectroscopy and quantum-engineered rare-earth crystal optical filters to produce real-time images of tissue oxygenation deep inside the body.
TagMaster
Provides intelligent transportation systems and sensor solutions for traffic and rail applications.
The Mobile Robot Company
The J1600 is a made-in-Denmark, dual-mode self-driving pallet jack with a rated payload of 1,600 kg. An operator can drive it conventionally, lift manually up to 1.6 m and handle close positioning; autonomous mode covers suitable indoor travel between saved locations.
Image Systems
Provides motion analysis software and systems for non-contact measurement technologies.
EWAYS
Provides electric vehicle charging solutions and services for homes, businesses, and public spaces.
GomSpace
A globally leading manufacturer and supplier of cubesat & small satellite solutions for customers in the academic, government and commercial markets, with positions of strength in systems integration, cubesat platforms, advanced miniaturized radio technology and satellite operations.
Ignite Nordic
Non-profit organization connecting startups with large companies and public entities to foster innovation. Formerly Ignite Sweden. Formerly Ignite Nordic.
IBM
Offers IT services, software, and hardware solutions globally, including cloud and AI technologies.
SMAU
An Italian innovation platform organizing events and fostering collaboration between startups, companies, and investors.
Luleå tekniska universitet
Technical university focusing on research and education in engineering and technology.
Homevolt
Develops energy storage solutions for residential use, integrating solar energy and battery systems.
Phoenix BioPower
Develops high-efficiency biomass power plants aiming to double the electric efficiency of traditional plants.
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.
Open raises
SEE WHO IS RAISING →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 20 Ted Elvhage: Rymdkapital & Expansion Ventures – The Nordic Case for Space [ENG]
Episode 20 – The Nordic Case for Space Ted Elvhage , founder of Rymdkapital and Expansion Ventures , joins us to talk spacetech, hardtech investing, and why Europe needs to catch up. From early bets like Pythom Space to advice for angel investors—this is a fast, sharp dive into one of hardtech’s most complex frontiers. Rymdkapital is a Sweden-based investment firm focused on early-stage spacetech
LISTEN →
EP 7 Claes Kjölhede och Airolit: Svensk hardtech ur ett drönarperspektiv
#7 Svensk hardtech ur ett drönarperspektiv Claes Kjölhede , vd på drönarbolaget Airolit , intervjuas live på Evertiq Expo i Göteborg. Vi pratar om hur man bygger avancerade drönarsystem i Sverige – och vad som krävs för att leverera till både totalförsvar och forskningsvärld. Airolit grundades 2017 för att utveckla UAV/UAS-lösningar för krävande industriella användare. Med fabrik i Mölndal, partne
LISTEN →
EP 9 Isabella Palmgren och Mimbly: Cleantech, bokstavligt talat [SWE]
#9. Cleantech, bokstavligt talat Isabella Palmgren , vd och grundare av Mimbly , gästar podden och berättar hur ett studentprojekt från Chalmers blev ett prisbelönt cleantech-bolag med global potential. Mimbox minskar såväl vattenförbrukning som mikroplaster och är byggd för att fungera i verkligheten, inte bara i labbet. Vi pratar om vägen till en säljbar produkt, hur man skalar en hårdvarulösnin
LISTEN →
EP 16 Anders Hässel och Nenda: Streamingrevolutionen för företag [SWE]
#16. Streamingrevolutionen för företag Anders Hässel , vd och grundare av Nenda , gästar podden och berättar hur bolaget utvecklar en modern streamingplattform för företag – med hårdvara, molntjänster och affärsmodeller anpassade för B2B-marknaden. Målet: att ersätta föråldrade TV‑lösningar med smart, skalbar teknik. Nenda grundades med en tydlig idé: att förändra hur företag inom hotell, vård och
LISTEN →
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 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 36 Monica Bellgran – Produktionsänglar & Sveriges bortglömda konkurrensfördel [SWE]
36. Produktionsänglar & Sveriges bortglömda konkurrensfördel Monica Bellgran , vicerektor för innovation vid Mälardalen Universitet och medgrundare av Produktionsänglar , gästar podden för att prata om en av hardtech-världens mest underskattade utmaningar: att gå från prototyp till produktion. Från industrialisering och leverantörskedjor till automation, AI och geopolitik förklarar hon varför så m
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 →
EP 32 Daniel Wentz – Greenely & the Rise of the Virtual Power Plant
#32. The Rise of the Virtual Power Plant Daniel Wentz , Chief Product Officer at Greenely , joins the podcast to unpack one of the most interesting shifts in consumer energy: the rise of home batteries, intelligent orchestration, and virtual power plants. With a background leading global connected-device software at Electrolux, he shares why trust and control are the foundation of any energy produ
LISTEN →
EP 26 Alexander Engl – Build, Share, Repeat: How Makerspace and ihopa Enable Hardware for the Masses [ENG]
Episode #26 Build, Share, Repeat: How Makerspace and ihopa Enable Hardware for the Masses Alexander Engl joins the pod to talk about Stockholm Makerspace – a member-run 24/7 creative hub that empowers hardware builders, tinkerers and early-stage founders to bring physical ideas to life, without public funding or gatekeepers. We explore how the space grew to 1000+ members, how it's staying independ
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 34 Max Villman – From Cockpit to Cap Table: Inside Nordic Defense Tech
#34. From Cockpit to Cap Table: Inside Nordic Defense Tech Max Villman , former Swedish fighter pilot and now defense tech investor at Gungnir , joins the Nordic Hardtech Podcast for a grounded conversation on what really matters in modern defense innovation. With first-hand experience from the cockpit and deep exposure to today’s European and Ukrainian defense tech ecosystems, Max shares what fou
LISTEN →Insights
ALL INSIGHTS →What we have learned about building, scaling and funding hard things in the Nordics.
INSIGHT The Deeptech Funnel: Why European Legacy Industry Must Stop Being a Spectator
Argues European legacy industry must engage deeptech startups earlier, during the demonstration phase, instead of waiting for finished technology.
READ →Who Makes the Nordic Hardtech Canon?
A playful editorial ranks the inventions and companies that define Nordic hardtech's lasting industrial legacy.
READ →From Cockpit to Cap Table: Inside Nordic Defense Tech
A fighter pilot turned VC explains why defense tech founders validate with the wrong people.
READ →
INSIGHT Livepodd i Göteborg på Evertiq-mässan
Torsdag den 19 september besöker podden Evertiq-mässan i Göteborg för att intervjua två intressanta bolag live på scenen: Airolit och Frontside. Jag (Jonas) står även på mässgolvet för samtal.
READ →
INSIGHT Gillar du podden? Betygsätt den!
Hårdvarupodden har funnits sedan juni 2024. Vi kommer fortsätta expandera under 2025 och fler nyheter kommer inom kort. Podden finns för lyssnarna – inget annat. Så, hur kan vi bli ännu bättre?
READ →
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 When policy becomes a product constraint
Industrial policy now shapes hardtech product decisions early, forcing founders to decide how much strategic control to trade for public support.
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 Hard Way: The Nordic Way
Nordic hardtech founders keep choosing complex, regulated, physical-world industries over easy, fast-scaling opportunities.
READ →
INSIGHT Now Launching: Nordic Hardtech
READ →
INSIGHT Matter Over Code: The Nordic Path to Resilient Technology
Nordic hardtech founders are pioneering a material renaissance, shifting innovation from silicon and code to advanced physical materials.
READ →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 →Partners keep this open
The funding map, the podcast, the events and the newsletter are free for the whole ecosystem, made possible by partners who build Nordic hardtech with us.
AI-driven patent filing for tech companies. Protect what you invent, at software speed.
LIGHTBRINGER.COM ↗ SISPSwedish Incubators and Science Parks, the national infrastructure for innovation environments.
SISP.SE ↗ RECUROGrowth partner for tech and media companies, from strategy to execution.
RECURO.COM ↗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.