Find Startups in Gothenburg

Gothenburg is home to over 500 emerging startup ventures. Join 200+ startups already on Foundersbase - be among the first 50 joining in Gothenburg and discover promising early-stage innovation partners today!

Find startups →

↓ Explore the startup ecosystem of Gothenburg

Startup Ecosystem in Gothenburg

Gothenburg has established itself as Western Sweden's innovation powerhouse, where exceptional industrial engineering heritage combines with maritime expertise and manufacturing excellence to build technology ventures with global industrial applications. The city's shipping and manufacturing legacy now drives technical innovation across multiple domains. Significant innovation emerges through corporate technology centers like Volvo's autonomous vehicle development, alongside emerging ventures like Heart Aerospace, Einride, and Forza Football, demonstrating particular strengths in mobility technology, maritime innovation, sustainable manufacturing, and increasingly AI applications enhancing industrial efficiency. The funding landscape includes investors like GU Ventures linked to university research commercialization, Chalmers Ventures supporting university spinoffs, and specialized funds targeting Gothenburg's industrial technology strengths, complemented by strategic corporate investment from established automotive and manufacturing players seeking external innovation. Angel investors organize through networks like Connect Väst and specialized syndicates focusing on industrial technology applications, often bringing deep domain expertise from careers in Swedish manufacturing leaders. Supportive infrastructure includes accelerator programs like MobilityXLab connecting mobility startups with corporate partners, specialized initiatives like Stena Centre for Maritime Innovation leveraging Gothenburg's shipping heritage, and GreenTech Village focusing on environmental technology solutions. Innovation clusters develop in Lindholmen Science Park for mobility, AI, and ICT, Sahlgrenska Science Park for life sciences and medtech, and increasingly in repurposed industrial facilities housing manufacturing innovation. Gothenburg startups benefit from exceptional engineering talent with particular strength in automotive, maritime, and manufacturing technologies, strong industrial customer base providing early validation opportunities, quality of life attracting and retaining skilled professionals, and renowned academic institutions particularly in engineering disciplines. Challenges include sometimes extended enterprise sales cycles, talent competition from established industry leaders offering premium compensation and stability, relatively conservative business culture compared to Stockholm's risk-taking environment, and occasionally complex stakeholder alignment in industry-academic collaborations.

Gothenburg startups in numbers

Startups in Gothenburg on Foundersbase show a range of characteristics across different early development stages. Among the projects in this region, 46% are currently in the concept phase, exploring early validation, while 54% have developed a minimum viable product (MVP) and are open to forming strategic partnerships. Currently, 37.9% of startups have reached the Prototype phase, one of several indicators of how innovative founding projects in Gothenburg are evolving. A significant share (62%) report open positions, making this a valuable space for entrepreneurial talent looking to join a team early. In terms of funding, 49% of startups are currently seeking investment, while others pursue different approaches to growth. Startups in Gothenburg are active across a wide range of industries, with many focusing on areas such as IoT, Smart Mobility, and Recruiting. Alongside sector diversity, projects also address major global challenges. Notable impact innovation topics include Climate Change Mitigation, Digital Literacy, Financial Inclusion, and Biodiversity, adding purpose-driven perspectives to the local startup scene. Whether you’re interested in supporting founders, investing in early-stage ventures, or finding opportunities to get involved, the startup activity in Gothenburg offers a great starting point.

Job Offerings

More than (46%) of startups in Gothenburg are actively recruiting talent, while (54%) are focused on building with their current team.

Hiring 46%

Startup Stage

The Gothenburg startup ecosystem spans various development stages from early ideas to profitable businesses, with most ventures (37.9%) currently at the Prototype stage.

Funding Need

About (68%) of early-stage startups in Gothenburg are seeking external investment to scale their innovations, while (32%) are pursuing a bootstrapped growth approach.

Fundraising 68%

Top innovation sectors

Discover the industries where early-stage startups in Gothenburg are developing innovative solutions and seeking collaboration partners.

Infrastructure

IoT

Smart Mobility

Recruiting

Space Technology

Renewable Energy

Mobility

Information Technology

Impact Focus

Startups from Gothenburg on Foundersbase most often focus on Climate Change Mitigation, driving innovation in this area.

Climate Change Mitigation

Digital Literacy

Financial Inclusion

Biodiversity

Discover the startup ecosystem in Gothenburg

Early-stage Startups. Entrepreneurs. Private Investors.

Our platform connects startup supporters, mentors, collaboration partners, and angel investors with promising early-stage ventures in Gothenburg and around the globe. Join our startup community today, its free!

Discover emerging ventures before anyone else.
Connect with early-stage startups for collaboration opportunities.
Support, mentor, and engage with innovative founding teams.

Get started

As featured in