Shaping Sweden’s Next Level

For two days, TechArena 2026 brought together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, communicators, and decision-makers in Stockholm. It can be described as an international meeting place and an important arena to strengthen Sweden’s global position. As one of the country’s largest research and innovation programmes, we want to help highlight opportunities and ongoing research to showcase Sweden’s strengths.

High Energy and Strong Engagement

This year’s edition was characterized by a high level of energy, and the Strawberry Arena was filled with over 10 000 visitors.

A number of projects had the opportunity to share their ongoing innovation on our “Advanced Focus Stage.” We also held a side event — How startups and industry connect and grow together — which gathered 119 start-ups interested in meeting representatives from Astra Zeneca, Volvo Group, Saab and Microsoft.

In addition, we organized a session about future industrial needs and recorded live talks that will be published as part of a new initiative together with TechForward.

Explore the full programme here.

Shaping Sweden’s Next Level

Innovation is about taking risks. About investing long-term. About daring to think bigger than the domestic market and moving outside established circles. To reach the next level, we as a country need to be even bolder — to try new things, take initiative, stand out, and find ways to increase the pace.

That was the focus of the programme “Shaping Sweden’s Next Level” — which you can view (se Tomas Becklin, Mina Alibeigi, and Tor Björn Minde give a short summary of their ongoing innovations. Jan Söderström, Niclas Fock, and Anna Wibom discuss needs and challenges together with moderator Anna Frankzen Starrin.

Film: “Shaping Sweden’s Next Level”

Content:

Ongoing innovation

• Tomas Becklin – founder and CTO, Flox Intelligence
• Mina Alibeigi – AI Research, AI Lead Research, Zenseact
• Tor Björn Minde – Unit Manager, ICE Datacenter, RISE

Panel discussion

Programme Council Chair for Advanced Digitalisation Jan Söderström and Niclas Fock talk together with Anna Wibom, programme director and industry policy expert for Total Defence, Technology Industries of Sweden, and moderator Anna Frankzén Starrin.

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Thanks to everyone who contributed in the booth, in conversations, and by sharing knowledge, perspectives, and engagement.