Sting
Sting is a Stockholm-based, non-profit startup accelerator founded in 2002 that runs a six-month flagship program (Sting Core) and vertical tracks in Health, Climate, Society/AI, and DeepTech, serving early-stage tech founders with coaching, ecosystem access, and follow-on capital via Propel Capital and Turbine Capital.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersStockholm, Sweden
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Sting does
Sting is a Stockholm-based, non-profit startup accelerator and incubator operating since 2002 under the legal entity Stockholm Innovation & Growth AB and owned by the Electrum Foundation. It serves early-stage tech founders across four focus areas — Health, Climate, Society (including AI), and DeepTech — through a unified six-month flagship program called Sting Core (launched October 2025, replacing the prior Sting Incubate and Sting Accelerate), alongside vertical programs such as Sting Climate Race, Pre-Sting offerings (Startup Academy, Open Coaching, Test Drive), and the Science to Business initiative that funds academic spin-offs. The organization is monetized indirectly through public and institutional grants from partners including Vinnova, the City of Stockholm, Region Stockholm, and EU/ERUF funds, rather than through per-startup program fees that are publicly disclosed.
Beyond program delivery, Sting operates two investment vehicles that sit alongside its accelerator services: Propel Capital (founded 2014, 170+ portfolio companies, providing up to SEK 500,000 per qualifying startup) and Turbine Capital (a Sweden-first DeepTech-dedicated VC fund initiated by Sting targeting SEK 750 million in size, backed by the European Investment Fund and industrial LPs Scania, Saab, and Stena). Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on direct applications, nominations, university referrals (notably from KTH and six other Swedish university-affiliated DeepTech incubators), and demo days to source deal flow, while also participating in pan-European alliances such as Rise Europa spanning 13 countries. Technology-wise, Sting does not develop proprietary software products; it is fundamentally a services and capital platform, with the underlying "platform" being its coaching network, investor relationships, and ecosystem partnerships rather than a software stack.
Sting firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sting
- Legal name
- Stockholm Innovation & Growth AB
- Website
- https://sting.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sting is a Stockholm-based, non-profit startup accelerator founded in 2002 that runs a six-month flagship program (Sting Core) and vertical tracks in Health, Climate, Society/AI, and DeepTech, serving early-stage tech founders with coaching, ecosystem access, and follow-on capital via Propel Capital and Turbine Capital.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Sting is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stockholm
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sting business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Non-profit Structure: Sting is a non-profit company owned by the Electrum Foundation, conducting incubator and accelerator activities in Stockholm.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sting product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sting is a startup accelerator and incubator that runs a six-month flagship program (Sting Core) providing business coaching, investor access, and structured growth support to early-stage tech founders in the Nordics. The organization operates supporting programs including Sting Climate Race, Pre-Sting opportunities, and Science to Business for academic spin-offs, along with investment vehicles Propel Capital and Turbine Capital.
Product overview
Sting is Sweden's leading startup accelerator and incubator offering a comprehensive ecosystem of programs for tech and life sciences companies. The core offering consists of Sting Core, a unified flagship six-month program that replaced the previous Sting Incubate and Sting Accelerate. Supporting programs include Sting Climate Race for climate tech startups, Pre-Sting programs (Startup Academy, Open Coaching, Test Drive) for early-stage ventures, and Science to Business for academic spin-offs. Investment activities are handled through Propel Capital (founded 2014, 170+ companies) and Turbine Capital (DeepTech-focused VC fund). The ecosystem serves startups across Health, Climate, Society, and DeepTech focus areas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sting Core Sting's flagship six-month accelerator program for ambitious tech founders, combining deep operational support with fast-paced growth acceleration. The program offers tailored coaching, investor readiness preparation, access to Sweden's startup network, and potential investment from Propel Capital.
- Sting Climate Race
Companies that use Sting
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sting technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sting partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Electrum FoundationcoreSting is a non-profit company owned by the Electrum Foundation, which is a collaboration between business, research, and the City of Stockholm. The foundation provides governance and strategic direction for Sting's operations.
- KTHcoreKTH Royal Institute of Technology is one of Sting's main partners, providing research connections and academic partnership for the startup ecosystem.
- VinnovacoreSweden's Innovation Agency is a main partner of Sting, providing funding and strategic support for startup development activities.
- City of StockholmcoreThe City of Stockholm is a main partner, collaborating on innovation initiatives and supporting the Stockholm startup ecosystem.
- Region StockholmcoreRegional government partner supporting Sting through EU funding (ERUF) for initiatives like Health Action to strengthen life science and healthtech companies.
- KI InnovationssupportingCollaboration partner in the Health Action initiative, working with Sting to help Stockholm healthtech companies grow globally.
- Uppsala Innovation Centre (UIC)supportingCollaboration partner in the Health Action initiative, part of the Stockholm-Uppsala region's life science innovation system.
- Rise EuropasupportingSting is a member of Rise Europa, a partnership of leading European startup hubs spanning 13 countries, formed in 2023 in Elmau, Germany. The alliance aims to empower startup teams and elevate Europe's standing in the global tech arena.
- Swedish University Affiliated DeepTech IncubatorscoreSix of Sweden's foremost university-affiliated DeepTech incubators back Turbine Capital, ensuring a strong flow of promising companies from academia to industry.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sting competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Antler: Global early-stage accelerator with strong Nordic/European presence, running cohort programs and co-founder matching. Directly comparable to Sting in geography and founder-first model.
- Y Combinator: World's largest startup accelerator running fixed-cohort programs with seed investment and Demo Day showcases. Directly comparable to Sting Core's six-month model, with a vastly larger global applicant pool.
- Techstars: Global accelerator network with mentorship-driven cohort programs and Demo Days. Operates a similar accelerator-for-equity model to Sting, with sector-specific programs analogous to Sting Climate Race.
- Startupbootcamp: European-origin accelerator network running vertical-specific cohort programs (fintech, healthtech, etc.) with Demo Days and partner networks. Mirrors Sting's vertical-focused program structure.
- Rockstart: Amsterdam-based accelerator with sector-focused programs in energy, agri-food, and health. Comparable to Sting's Climate Race and Health Action initiatives as a European sector-specialist accelerator.
- Entrepreneurs First (EF): Talent-first accelerator investing in founders at the idea stage and providing co-founder matching. Comparable to Sting's Pre-Sting programs and Science to Business initiative in addressing pre-company founders.
- Founders Factory: Global accelerator and venture builder with corporate-backed programs and operator support. Comparable in combining corporate partnerships (akin to Sting's Scania/Saab/Stena LPs) with cohort-based acceleration.
Broad incumbents
- Speedinvest: European early-stage VC with sector-focused funds in fintech, deeptech, health, and climate. Operates adjacent to Sting's investment vehicles (Propel Capital, Turbine Capital) with broader AUM and a pure-VC model.
Regional players
- Chalmers Ventures: Swedish university-affiliated incubator and investor, co-investing in Sting ecosystem companies (e.g., Seaqure Labs). Comparable as a Nordic DeepTech/early-stage investor within the same ecosystem.
- KTH Innovation: KTH Royal Institute of Technology's in-house incubator and pre-seed program, a core Sting partner providing research-to-startup pipeline. Comparable as a Swedish university-affiliated DeepTech funnel feeding Sting's Science to Business program.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sting social profiles
Digital presenceSting financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sting leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Sting subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Sting funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sting M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments314 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sting
What does Sting do?
Sting is a startup accelerator and incubator that runs a six-month flagship program (Sting Core) providing business coaching, investor access, and structured growth support to early-stage tech founders in the Nordics. The organization operates supporting programs including Sting Climate Race, Pre-Sting opportunities, and Science to Business for academic spin-offs, along with investment vehicles Propel Capital and Turbine Capital.
Is Sting a public or private company?
Sting is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sting founded?
Sting was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sting based?
Sting is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does Sting make money?
One revenue line is on record: non-profit Structure.
Who are Sting's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Antler, Y Combinator, Techstars, Startupbootcamp, Rockstart, Entrepreneurs First (EF) and Founders Factory. Speedinvest is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Chalmers Ventures and KTH Innovation.
Does Sting have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sting.