For most of the software era, industry sat outside the stack. Factories were hardware, automation was custom and change was slow. Now the stack is moving into machines, production lines and physical systems.

Some investors call it “the new industrial stack”, where robotics orchestration, factory analytics, digital twins and industrial AI all play a role. This week we map a few of the companies building it.

• Lightbringer: AI-powered patent service helping tech companies protect their edge fast, with in-house legal expertise. Book an intro.
• Recuro: Growth partner for hardtech and deeptech. Scale with profit.
• SISP (Swedish Incubators & Science Parks): The network for 60+ incubators and science parks in Sweden. Find yours here.
• The Yard: Gothenburg’s hub for co-working, community, and serious hardware. Explore their memberships.

9 startups making factories programmable

Across industry, a growing set of startups is building software designed to run physical systems. Robots, machines and production lines are increasingly becoming programmable environments.

From robotics orchestration to factory analytics and digital twins, these tools are starting to form a new software layer for industry. Here are nine Nordic companies building pieces of that layer.

1. Cognite (Norway)

Cognite builds industrial data platforms that connect machines, sensors and operational systems across heavy industry. By structuring complex industrial data into a usable layer, the company helps factories move from monitoring operations to actively optimizing them.

2. Cognibotics (Sweden)

Cognibotics develops ultra-fast robotic systems built around advanced motion control software. By rethinking how robots move and coordinate tasks, the company enables automation speeds that traditional industrial robots struggle to reach.

3. Algoryx (Sweden)

Algoryx develops physics-based simulation software used to design and test robotics and automation systems. Its tools allow manufacturers to simulate entire production environments before deploying machines in the real world.

4. Predge (Sweden)

Predge builds industrial analytics software focused on predictive maintenance and operational insights. By analysing data from connected equipment, its platform helps factories anticipate failures and optimise machine performance.

5. Aris Machina (Sweden)

Aris Machina develops AI systems designed to support industrial development and production. By connecting data, machines and human expertise, its tools help engineers and operators make faster and more informed decisions on the factory floor.

6. TactoTek (Finland)

TactoTek develops software and manufacturing technology for injection-molded structural electronics. By embedding electronics directly into industrial components, the company enables smarter, lighter and more integrated products in sectors such as automotive and appliances.

7. Unikie (Finland)

Unikie develops software platforms for autonomous systems, robotics and industrial automation. Its technology is used to deploy intelligent machines across sectors ranging from manufacturing to mobility.

8. Haltian (Finland)

Haltian builds IoT platforms that connect sensors, machines and industrial environments. By turning physical spaces into data-generating systems, the company enables new forms of monitoring, optimisation and automation.

9. Universal Robots (Denmark)

Universal Robots pioneered collaborative robots designed to work safely alongside humans. Its cobots and software ecosystem have helped bring programmable automation within reach of thousands of factories worldwide. (Acquired by Teradyne in 2015, but still operating independently from Denmark).

• Nordic Innovation’s latest report highlights a stronger push into deeptech, including quantum and a new Nordic-Baltic AI Center, and efforts to turn the EU AI Act into a competitive advantage for Nordic companies.
• Startups around Helsinki’s Maria 01 hub raised €337M last year, up from €102M the year before. The report highlights Finland’s growing role in deeptech and defence tech as funding elsewhere in Europe declines.
• Rising tensions in the Middle East are starting to affect global trade, with longer shipping routes and rising costs as companies reassess risk and delay investments. Full story via Techarena.
• Finnish smart ring maker Oura has hired Apple executive Brian Lynch to lead hardware engineering. The $11B company has increasingly pulled senior talent from Apple in recent years.
• Sweden’s Impact Innovation program has mobilised €1.7B across 400+ initiatives since 2024, spanning net zero industry and advanced materials. A signal of growing coordination around industrial transformation.

• Saab is hiring electronics and hardware engineers to design and build development rigs and test systems for defence platforms, spanning everything from RF to system integration. Read more and apply here.
• Ericsson is hiring a senior strategist to analyse the future of AI hardware, from chip ecosystems to platform stacks shaping its long-term technology strategy. Apply here.

• Know a student into hardware? KTH is launching a new makerspace this August and is hiring a technical lead to set up its digital fabrication environment, including 3D printers, CNC machines and CAD workstations.
• Resilience Summit returns to Stockholm on May 27, gathering founders, investors and industry around defence tech, dual-use innovation and resilience strategy. Secure your spot.
• For more hardtech events across the Nordics and beyond, check out our Nordic Hardtech Event Map for 2026. The list is continuously updated — feel free to send in tips if there’s an event we should include.

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