With a highly educated workforce, a strong industrial heritage and a reputation for cross-sector collaboration, Gothenburg is a national leader in innovation and a growing force on the European stage.

According to Business Region Göteborg, the region is responsible for over 35% of all private sector R&D investment in Sweden, more than any other county. This figure reflects a long-standing integration between academic research, public investment and industrial engineering. With global players such as Volvo Group, Volvo Cars, and SKF headquartered here, and others like AstraZeneca, Saab and Ericsson operating major R&D sites in the city, startups don’t operate in silos. They’re building next to, and often with, some of the largest tech and life science companies in Europe.

A launchpad for high-impact innovation

Gothenburg has the highest concentration of engineers and natural scientists among Sweden’s metropolitan regions. This talent fuels everything from AI-powered infrastructure to novel drug discovery. Gothenburg is also strong in mobility tech, advanced manufacturing and health innovation.

Much of this energy is in hubs like MobilityXlab, which connects early-stage startups with Magna, Polestar, Volvo Group, Zeekr Technology Europe and Zenseact to co-develop and test technologies in real environments. CampX by Volvo Group accelerates industrial deeptech in areas such as electrification and autonomous transport. Meanwhile, BioVentureHub, located within AstraZeneca’s R&D site, offers life science startups and researchers a unique opportunity to co-locate and collaborate with a global pharma leader.

These initiatives reflect a model of open innovation embedded in the city’s identity. Gothenburg’s ecosystem is built around long-term impact and shared infrastructure, making it easier for startups to scale sustainably and gain access to high-value testbeds and global supply chains.

Hard science meets entrepreneurial thinking

Startups in Gothenburg benefit from proximity to world-class research. Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg are core to the region’s academic strength, supporting spinouts and deeptech ventures with strong ties to the private sector. Combined with institutions like Sahlgrenska Science Park, they give founders access to both lab facilities and early-stage guidance.

One of the fastest-growing programs is CO-AX, an accelerator run by Sahlgrenska Science Park that supports early and growth-stage healthtech startups. Through its tailored program and access to clinical test environments, investors and a wide network of healthcare stakeholders, it enables scalable solutions that address global health challenges. For founders working at the intersection of research and application, this academic-industry bridge is a defining strength.

A culture of resilience and collaboration 

Gothenburg’s startup culture is not defined by high-risk unicorn chasing but by an inclusive and resilient approach to innovation. New venues such as The Yard act as open platforms for early-stage founders, freelancers, and creatives, and the city’s renowned Tech Calendar helps unite the ecosystem with a community-curated guide to events, from meetups and hackathons to major industry gatherings.

That same spirit of collaboration animates initiatives such as GoWest, one of Sweden’s leading venture capital forums for startups, scaleups and investors. This event brings together VCs, scaleups and ecosystem builders from across the Nordics, creating a space where deal flow begins, partnerships form and early ideas gain traction in front of a supportive audience.

A real-world lab for climatetech

Gothenburg has also become a testbed for climate solutions. As one of the EU’s 100 climate-neutral cities (and designated a mentor city by the European Commission), it leads in implementing smart, sustainable systems. The Gothenburg Green City Zone is a bold example. Here, businesses and public agencies develop zero-emission transport solutions together. Projects include autonomous electric shuttles and wireless taxi charging. 

Urban logistics are also being reimagined through projects like the Mobility Hotel in Nordstan, which supports micromobility and last-mile delivery systems with zero-emission vehicles. And in the construction sector, the Platform for Climate-Neutral Construction brings over 150 companies together to cut emissions from buildings and infrastructure, fast-tracking green-development standards.

Gothenburg has ranked as the leader in the Global Destination Sustainability Index seven times since 2016 and was named the European Capital of Smart Tourism in 2020. The city has also been named the UN Sustainable Lifestyle Hub and has made sustainability a foundation for business. 

Sweden’s mobility-tech powerhouse

In 2024 alone, tech companies founded in Gothenburg were acquired for a combined total of SEK 40 billion (~$3.6 billion) – a record year that signals international appetite for Gothenburg-grown innovation. According to Tech.eu, the city is becoming Scandinavia’s leading mobility tech hub, thanks to its depth of engineering talent and ability to integrate new ventures with legacy industries. Whether it’s electrified freight via Einride, AI-driven energy optimization from Eneryield or sensor-based solutions in medtech and forestry, the companies coming out of Gothenburg are grounded in real-world applications and building systems that work.

Scaling with substance

Gothenburg has developed a grounded approach to entrepreneurship. It’s a place where deeptech, life sciences and sustainability are more than just buzzwords; they’re the raw materials of the ecosystem. Startups here don’t need to leave to grow. The region offers talent, infrastructure, global industry access and a collaborative culture. Founders benefit from institutional support, clear public policy and a city that knows how to balance industrial tradition with future-forward thinking.