About Sting
A community of entrepreneurs united in action
Achieve success faster. That’s what we offer. Strategic support, sharp coaching, investor access, and a network that works — all designed to accelerate early-stage startups with serious ambition.
Who we are
Backing bold ideas. Reshaping what matters.
That’s what we stand for. We work with founders who challenge the status quo and build companies that push the world forward — in Climate, Health, AI, and DeepTech.
Since 2002, Sting has supported nearly 500 startups led by exceptional founders who combine purpose with execution. From idea to international scale, we stand beside the teams building lasting, global impact.
Founded by Pär Hedberg in the wake of the 2001 IT crash, Sting was built to unlock the potential of Sweden’s innovation ecosystem, just when it was needed most. Today, under the leadership of CEO Karin Ruiz, we continue that mission with the same urgency and belief: that the future we want won’t build itself.
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. We’re proudly independent and non-profit, owned by the Electrum Foundation. Any returns we generate go straight back into the ecosystem, not into anyone’s pocket.
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.
