From the US to northern Sweden: how the region attracts international expertise

The massive industrial investments in Norrbotten and Västerbotten are redrawing the world’s economic map. But for the region to succeed with this historic transition and growth, local resources alone won’t be enough.

– So much will be needed that we simply don’t have nearby today. We need international expertise and more companies establishing themselves here to make sure this whole undertaking can be completed, says Gustav Carlsson, business developer at Luleå Science Park.

With that in mind, Skellefteå Science City joined forces with Piteå Science Park and Luleå Science Park. In an earlier project, they had tried to attract foreign startups, but learned that early-stage companies were rarely mature enough to move across the Atlantic. To truly strengthen the region, they needed companies that had come further in their development.

A tailored shortcut into the ecosystem
The answer to that challenge was Access North Sweden. As a first step, the project team pinpointed the areas where the region is strongest, including drone development, cybersecurity, space technology, renewable energy, and the forestry and mining industries.

But attracting mature US companies requires lowering the barriers to setting up abroad, and lowering them significantly. By combining the region’s appeal with the science parks’ unique test beds, networks and expertise, the team was able to package a complete softlanding offer.

– In practice, it’s about giving foreign companies a fast track straight into northern Sweden. Within Access North Sweden, that mainly meant strategic matchmaking with local partners, potential customers and relevant players in the value chain, says Pernilla Kristofersson, innovation manager at Skellefteå Science City.

The companies were also offered space at the three science parks and access to specific test beds, such as the RISE ICE data center in Luleå, the test bed for sustainable composite manufacturing in Piteå, and Skellefteå Droneport, one of Europe’s largest urban drone test sites.

Beyond the technical and business infrastructure, the offer also included hands-on support with what is often the biggest challenge of relocating: navigating a new country’s regulations, handling visas and finding housing.

– We also offered a cultural onboarding. It’s about introducing them to the local community, from restaurants to where to find beaches and nature experiences, explains Pernilla Kristofersson.

The green transition as a compass
The offer was presented to companies at several major tech conferences in the US, and the strong interest was clear from the very first meeting. With Business Sweden as a strategic partner and door opener, the project team had been able to identify and book meetings with exactly the right audience in advance. The Americans were drawn both by the astronomical sums being invested in the region and by the Scandinavian way of building society. Demand was high, not least for setting up traditional server halls, but the project team deliberately chose to be selective.

– The green transition has always been our main focus. We started from the question of what northern Sweden actually needs to succeed faster, and looked specifically for players who could contribute to exactly that, says Pernilla Kristofersson.

One example of this targeted strategy was the dialogue with a foreign company that recycles critical metals from old batteries using organic residues and acids. Their circular solution would fit perfectly with Sweden’s established waste management system, and the match led to concrete, serious discussions about their need for specific land and premises.

Space tech lands in Norrbotten
The project was put to the test early this year, when a space technology company from Los Angeles, backed by a fund with ties to SpaceX, took up the invitation, signed a letter of intent and flew to Luleå to take the dialogue further.

– We introduced them to the entire local ecosystem and community, from potential customers to the local space industry. Even though they were met by extreme cold and darkness in February, they were deeply impressed by the warm welcome and the opportunities here, says Gustav Carlsson.

No relocation has been decided yet, but the door has been opened and talks between the space company and the region are ongoing.

Contributing to a national standard
Access North Sweden has not only broadened northern Sweden’s international network, but also influenced how Swedish innovation environments will work going forward. After the project was presented at a national workshop, the team’s learnings contributed to a new playbook for international establishments, developed by the industry organization SISP (Swedish Incubators & Science Parks).

Locally, the work to attract international talent continues in close collaboration with Skellefteå’s business development office. The project has shown that when northern Sweden manages to package its assets and unique conditions, the tech world is ready to listen.