The break is over.
So is playing it safe.
The Nordic hardtech scene is back at full speed, and so are we. Deals are being made, pilots launched, and founders are already chasing those year-end targets. But autumn isn’t just about moving fast. It’s about moving smart. And that means making sure the foundations of your company can actually carry the weight you’re about to put on them.
Which brings us to this week’s spotlight (the kind that stays relevant no matter when you read it): how to stop losing investor trust before you’ve even pitched — and why the “deal with IP later” mindset kills hardware startups before they scale.
Nordic Hardtech Partners 🤝
Nordic Hardtech is a community for builders of complex tech companies based on physical products. Here are some of our outstanding partners.
- Lightbringer: AI-powered patent platform helping tech companies protect their edge fast, with in-house legal expertise. Missed our recent IP webinar? Watch the replay!
- Recuro: Growth partner for hardtech and deeptech. Strategy, marketing, and scalable business models that drive real traction. Book an intro.
- SISP (Swedish Incubators & Science Parks): The network for 60+ incubators and science parks in Sweden, powering innovation and scaleups across the country. Find yours here.
- The Yard: Gothenburg’s industrial-chic hub for startups. Co-working, community, and serious hardware energy. Explore their memberships.
Nordic Hardtech Podcast
This week: Dominic Davies on How Not to Lose It All.
Why IP is Your First Investor — And Your Strongest Advantage
"It’s not about paperwork. It’s about power."
Founders love to talk about funding rounds, killer teams and “moving fast.” Few want to talk about patents — until it’s too late. Dominic Davies, co-founder of Lightbringer, has seen too many deeptech startups lose their edge because they treated IP as an afterthought. He’s on a mission to make sure the next wave of hardware founders don’t repeat the same mistake.
Walking into an investor meeting without a solid IP strategy is, in Dominic Davies’ view, a waste of everyone’s time.
– Every investor will ask about your IP. If you don’t have the right answer, the conversation ends there.
His 20 years as a patent attorney — including work with some of the world’s biggest tech companies — convinced him that the traditional system was built for corporates, not startups. Large companies can handle long timelines and heavy legal fees. Startups can’t.
– It was built for big companies with deep pockets. Startups don’t have that luxury, says Dominic.
He believes patents should be treated as a strategic signal to investors that a company’s technology is defensible and its value long-term.
By the time they see the gap, it’s often too late
– A strong IP position doesn’t only protect your technology. It changes the way investors look at you. Suddenly, you’re more than a cool product. You’re an asset, says Dominic.
Too often, he’s seen founders delay filing until they “have more time” or lean on generic advice that doesn’t fit their business. By the time they see the gap, it’s often too late.
– I’ve met founders who’ve spent years and millions building a product, only to find they can’t own the key technology. You can recover from many mistakes. That’s not one of them, says Dominic.
Lightbringer’s AI-native, founder-first platform is built for speed. It can take a startup from zero to a filed patent in under a week, allowing them to start investor or partner conversations without risking their crown jewels.
– Filing early sends a strong signal of competence. It shows you’ve understood what it takes to define a valuable company and are running the process correctly, Dominic says.
Looking ahead, he believes the pressure on founders will intensify. Investors will be more selective, and companies without a solid IP position will struggle to get through the door.
– We’re heading into a season where investors are going to be picky. If your IP isn’t solid, you’re already on the back foot, says Dominic.
And his final advice? Stop treating IP as a legal formality and start using it as a competitive lever.
– If you think IP is boring, you’re looking at it wrong. Done right, it’s not about paperwork. It’s about power. And power is exactly what you need to survive, scale and win, says Dominic.
Lately ⏮️
Selected news from the hardtech ecosystem
- A new 100% U.S. tariff on imported chips puts pressure on global supply chains. Semicon Sweden highlights what's at stake, and what needs to be done.
- Plants are talking — and SonicFlora is listening. The LiU/KTH-founded agtech startup uses ultrasound to optimise crop growth, and just raised SEK 2.7M.
- Lyten is reviving Northvolt’s gigafactory in Skellefteå — and is set to restart Swedish operations ASAP. This could reshape Europe’s battery future.
- Dolprop is pushing the limits of underwater performance. Their new Njord UV drone prototype, the SUD, tests fresh hull designs and fin-based propulsion. Just wow.
- Sweden’s Flox has raised nearly €1M to protect critical infrastructure with AI-powered wildlife detection — already selling out its 2025 production.
Up next ⏭️
What's brewing in the community?
- Tech Forward is building a free community for Sweden’s tech industry — connecting pros and tackling big challenges through interactive events online and key summits. See what’s coming.
- European Defense Tech Hackathon hits Copenhagen Aug 29–31, addressing everything from threat detection to autonomous vessels. Join the mission.
- Nordic Tech Week comes to Stockholm 15–19 Sept. Expect panels, exhibits, and side events, ending in a two-day open-air tech conference in Kungsträdgården.
- 👤 CVX Ventures is hiring a CEO to lead expansion into new markets, scale Europe’s largest angel network, and shape the future of venture investing. See the role.
Looking for funding? Start here.
We’ve curated the investors who actually get hardtech — so you can skip the noise and focus on the right doors.
Nordic Hardtech is a platform for the hardtech ecosystem — sharing knowledge, bringing inspiration, and building community through podcasts, newsletters, events, and more.
💸 Fuel up. Scaling takes capital — The Nordic Hardtech Funding List shows you where to find it.
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