About Sting
A community of entrepreneurs united in action
Sting is a community of entrepreneurs united in action, on a mission to share our experience with people whose ideas have potential to solve humanity’s biggest challenges.
Who we are
Our story began 20 years ago with some frustrated individuals who were tired of seeing world-changing ideas dissipate due to a lack of time, knowledge and resources.
So they pulled some strings, rallied some big thinkers with proven success, and created Sting.
But it doesn’t end here. In fact, it’s just the beginning.
We set out to create a world-class startup ecosystem in Stockholm. Now, that ecosystem is thriving, and just as we’ve shaped Stockholm, Stockholm has shaped us. Since then, we’ve fine-tuned a unique program that gives startups more knowledge, resources, and quality connections than any other.
Why do we do it?
Because by harnessing the power of complex technologies it’s possible to right the major wrongs in our world. We believe startups are the ones making this happen, and by sharing everything we’ve learnt and all our connections, we can help them do it faster.
As we are independent with no profit-hungry owners, we can truly put our founders’ interests first. Any money made goes directly back to Sting and helps us continue to support new startups and keep the community thriving.
Sting in numbers
We welcomed 45new companies to the Sting family in 2023.
Sting has helped 400+ companies, and 70 percent continue to develop and grow.
Sting has helped more than 400 startups since 2003.
million euro in combined revenue.
million euro in private capital raised by Sting companies in 2023.
billion euro in in combined valuation of all Sting companies.
Owners and organization
Sting is owned by a public-private foundation, the Electrum Foundation. The Electrum Foundation Board consists of representatives from the business sector (Ericsson, IBM and real estate owners), academia (Stockholm University and Swedish ICT) and the public sector (the City of Stockholm and Region Stockholm).
Sting’s activities are financed with public funds from Electrum and our main partners Vinnova, the City of Stockholm and Region Stockholm, and with private funding from partners, as well as through self-funding.
Being a non-profit organisation, all proceeds go straight back to the programs to help new startups become successful. It is a way for each participating company to “pay it forward”.
Board of directors,
Stockholm Innovation & Growth AB
Co-financed by the ERDF
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to strengthen economic, social, and territorial cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions. In 2021-2027 it will enable investments in a smarter, greener, more connected, and more social Europe that is closer to its citizens. Sting operates several regional fund projects co-financed by ERDF.
Some of our partners
Explore all partners
Advisory board
These members take an active part in furthering Sting’s startup support by sharing their ideas and network with Sting. The Advisory Board also focuses on how to tackle strategic challenges facing the startup ecosystem in Stockholm.
