Silicon Vikings

What Silicon Vikings does

Silicon Vikings is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization founded in 1997 and headquartered in Sausalito, California, that operates as a bilateral bridge between the Nordic and Baltic technology ecosystems and Silicon Valley. The organization maintains a claimed network of over 45,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals, structured around 10 regional Nordic Nodes located in Reykjavik, Oslo, Greater Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Tampere, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. Its core programmatic offerings include the annual New Nordics Pitch Competition (with regional finals hosted at Slush, Latitude59, TechBBQ, and Platform6, and a Grand Final during Slush week in Helsinki), a structured Mentorship Program connecting Nordic founders with Silicon Valley operators and investors, two podcast series (New Nordics: Bridging the Gap and Ecosystem Entrepreneur), the State of the New Nordics publication series, a curated Resource Library, Study Tours for delegations, and a recurring events calendar across both regions.

The organization does not build proprietary software products, APIs, or AI/ML systems. Its "platform" is the community itself, operationalized through event production, content marketing (newsletters, podcasts, publications, social media across LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, and YouTube), and human-mediated mentorship matching. Distribution is partnership-driven: Silicon Vikings co-programs with government innovation agencies (Vinnova, Innovation Norway, Innovation Center Denmark, Team Finland), venture firms (EQT Ventures, 500 Startups), corporate sponsors (Nokia, SAP, Microsoft, DocuSign, Merck Accelerator), legal partners (K&L Gates, Reed Smith), and academic institutions (Stanford, Babson, KTH, Chalmers, Uppsala, Lund, DTU), which collectively extend reach into both ecosystems without Silicon Vikings bearing the full cost of acquisition.

The business model is donation- and sponsorship-funded. Programs and events are offered free to participants, with the organization relying on individual donations (collected via Donorbox), corporate sponsorship, and in-kind support from partners. There is no disclosed revenue, no traditional pricing tiers, no equity or venture funding, and no shareholder return objective. Strategic significance is derived from network density, partner relationships, and institutional trust accumulated over 25+ years rather than capital intensity, proprietary technology, or commercial monetization.

Name

Silicon Vikings

Legal name

Silicon Vikings

Website

https://siliconvikings.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Silicon Vikings is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that bridges Nordic and Baltic technology ecosystems with Silicon Valley through events, mentorship, pitch competitions, podcasts, and publications, serving over 45,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals via 10 regional Nordic Nodes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Networking and Startup Ecosystem Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAIAAAK

Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Study Abroad Program Providers (Multi-Country & Multi-Discipline)

Keywords

• Nordic startup network
• Silicon Valley bridge
• Tech entrepreneurship community
• Startup mentorship programs
• Pitch competition events

Headquarters

HQ city

Sausalito

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Support: As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Silicon Vikings relies primarily on donations to fund operations and programs. Most events and programs are offered complimentary to participants.
2. Partnership and Sponsorship: The organization partners with corporations, universities, and innovation agencies who sponsor events and programs, providing financial and in-kind support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Silicon Vikings is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional network connecting Nordic and Baltic entrepreneurs, startups, and investors with the Silicon Valley ecosystem. It delivers its offering through complimentary programs including the New Nordics Pitch Competition, mentoring program, study tours, podcasts, publications, networking events, and a curated resource library. The organization operates 10 regional Nordic Nodes across Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to serve as local touchpoints.

Product overview

Silicon Vikings is a professional organization and network (501(c)(3) charitable organization) connecting the Nordic and Baltic regions with Silicon Valley. Established in 1997 with a network of 45,000+, it offers a portfolio of programs including the annual New Nordics Pitch Competition, Mentoring Program, Podcasts (New Nordics: Bridging the Gap and Ecosystem Entrepreneur Podcast), Publications (State of the New Nordics reports), Resource Library, Study Tours, and Events/Calendar. The organization operates through regional Nordic Nodes across 9 cities (Reykjavik, Oslo, Greater Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Tampere, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius) to facilitate connections between US and Nordic/Baltic companies, startups, investors, and industry professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• New Nordics: Bridging the Gap: A podcast series focusing on what kind of society we want to create with the help of technology in the near future.
• Ecosystem Entrepreneur Podcast

Products and services

• New Nordics Pitch Competition Annual pan-Nordic and Baltic pitch competition that gathers the best startups and scaleups to pitch innovations to expert judges, investors, and industry leaders; regional winners compete in a Grand Final.
• New Nordics: Bridging the Gap Podcast Podcast series exploring how technology shapes society, featuring guests from research, entrepreneurship, politics, and tech backgrounds.
• Mentoring Program Exclusive mentorship program connecting New Nordic startups and scaleups with investors, industry experts, and resources to help them enter the US market.
• State of the New Nordics Reports Series of reports focusing on entrepreneurial ecosystems of Nordic and Baltic countries, promoting Silicon Vikings flagship offerings including yearly pitching competitions, podcasts, and hackathons.
• Events and Calendar Networking events, panel discussions, webinars, workshops, and pitch nights hosted in Silicon Valley and regional Nodes throughout the year for US and Nordic/Baltic companies.
• Resource Library Curated collection of resources about Nordic/Baltic and Silicon Valley tech startup ecosystems covering entrepreneur resources, investor databases, conferences, co-working spaces, and accelerators.
• Study Tours Behind-the-scenes tours of the changing Silicon Valley ecosystem including visits to innovative companies, lectures from thought leaders, and participation in the annual State of Nordic Tech VIP reception.
• Nordic Nodes Regional chapters across the Nordics and Baltics including Reykjavik, Oslo, Greater Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Tampere, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius that host local events and connect with the broader network.
• Ecosystem Entrepreneur Podcast Audio journey exploring entrepreneurial ecosystems and the key actors that shape them, interviewing stakeholders from diverse ecosystems to uncover stories, successes, and challenges.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 45,000 professionals connected across Silicon Valley and Nordic/Baltic ecosystems
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nordic Innovation HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programming including events, AI sustainability series, and collaboration on Nordic ecosystem initiatives in Silicon Valley.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for events, lectures, and research collaboration. Stanford's US-Asia Technology Management Center and academic programs support Silicon Vikings initiatives.
• Babson CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supporting entrepreneurship education and innovation events.
• VinnovacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish government innovation agency with Silicon Valley office. Key partner for events, pitch competitions, and ecosystem collaboration. Head of Vinnova Silicon Valley Office inducted into Silicon Vikings.
• Innovation NorwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian government innovation agency supporting Nordic startups and connecting with Silicon Valley ecosystem through Silicon Vikings programs.
• Innovation Center DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish innovation agency with Silicon Valley presence. Consul General and CEO of Innovation Center Denmark, Silicon Valley inducted into Silicon Vikings.
• DocuSignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for annual State of Nordic Tech events at DocuSign Executive Briefing Center in San Francisco.
• K&L GatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm partner hosting events including Future of Learning Platforms and providing legal expertise for ecosystem programs.
• Reed SmithminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm partner supporting Digital Health and Life Science events.
• Merck AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring Merck Accelerator opportunities to Nordic/Baltic startups in Life Science, Healthcare, and Performance Materials. The three-month program offers up to €50k funding, mentorship, and access to Merck's network of 50,000 experts.
• SlushcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor European tech conference hosting Grand Final of New Nordics Pitch Competition during Slush week in Helsinki.
• Latitude59minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstonian tech conference hosting Baltics regional finals of New Nordics Pitch Competition.
• TechBBQminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish tech conference hosting Denmark regional finals of New Nordics Pitch Competition.
• Platform6 Startup HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTampere-based startup house hosting Finland regional finals of New Nordics Pitch Competition.
• Uppsala UniversitetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish university partner supporting Life Science and innovation events.
• Lund University FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish university foundation partner supporting Life Science events and programs.
• KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish technical university partner for innovation and entrepreneurship events.
• Chalmers University of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish technical university partner for technology and innovation events.
• DTU Science ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish technology park and startup ecosystem partner.
• Pinevision Design StudiominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign studio providing creative services for Silicon Vikings branding and communications.
• Bay Area Digital HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBay Area health tech organization co-hosting Digital Health events and programs.
• Health 2.0minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth technology conference and community partner for Digital Health events.
• Healthtech WomenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen in health tech organization co-hosting Digital Health events.
• 3D HealsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner3D healthcare and bio-printing organization partnering on health tech events.
• Quantified SelfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf-tracking and quantified self movement organization partnering on Digital Health events.
• SVForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilicon Valley tech community organization for events and ecosystem collaboration.
• Startup SaunaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish startup accelerator and community partner for Nordic ecosystem events.
• Team FinlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish government innovation network supporting ecosystem programs.
• Photonics FinlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish photonics industry organization partnering on technology events.
• SRI InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute and innovation organization partner for events.
• OtherlabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch lab partner for innovation and technology events.
• Bay Area Council Economic InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolicy and research organization partner for economic and ecosystem analysis.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Silicon Valley-based startup accelerator and venture fund operating corporate-sponsored industry programs, mentorship, and pitch events. Comparable as a SV-rooted ecosystem platform connecting founders with corporate partners and investors, though venture-backed rather than nonprofit.
• Slush: Nonprofit-founded tech conference and ecosystem organization based in Helsinki, hosting one of Europe's largest annual startup events. Directly comparable as a Nordic-rooted, mission-driven ecosystem builder; Silicon Vikings' New Nordics Pitch Competition Grand Final is held during Slush week.
• TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs): Global nonprofit fostering entrepreneurship through a chapter-based mentorship network, primarily serving the South Asian diaspora into Silicon Valley. Closely comparable to Silicon Vikings in mission, nonprofit structure, chapter model, and diaspora-to-Silicon-Valley bridging role.
• Startup Grind: Global startup community operating chapter-based events, mentorship programs, and conferences in 125+ countries. Comparable in operating model (community chapters, mentorship, events, no proprietary platform) but operates globally rather than focusing on a single diaspora corridor.
• Nordic Innovation House: A Silicon Valley-based nonprofit hub that supports Nordic startups entering the US market. Most directly comparable to Silicon Vikings — same bilateral mission (Nordic ↔ SV), same nonprofit model, same target audience. SV and Nordic Innovation House are listed partners of Silicon Vikings, indicating direct ecosystem overlap.

Emerging players

• Station F: Paris-based world's largest startup campus hosting programs, accelerators, and a startup community. Comparable as a mission-driven ecosystem platform but focuses on European founders broadly rather than specifically Nordic–SV bridges.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global venture-backed accelerator operating mentorship-driven programs for early-stage startups. Comparable in mentorship and accelerator programming but operates at much larger scale, with equity-based model rather than nonprofit donation funding.
• 500 Startups (500 Global): Global venture capital firm and accelerator supporting early-stage founders, including US market entry programs for international founders. Already a partner of Silicon Vikings; broadly comparable ecosystem-builder role but with for-profit capital model.

Regional players

• TechBBQ: Denmark's largest startup and innovation summit, hosted in Copenhagen. Hosts the Denmark regional final of Silicon Vikings' New Nordics Pitch Competition; comparable as a Nordic-rooted community-led ecosystem event organizer.
• Latitude59: Estonia's flagship tech conference and startup ecosystem event, hosted in Tallinn. Hosts the Baltics regional final of Silicon Vikings' New Nordics Pitch Competition, making it a tightly connected regional peer within the same Nordic/Baltic ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/siliconvikings
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@siliconvikings
• Facebookfacebook.com/SiliconVikings
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/497340
• Instagraminstagram.com/silicon_vikings

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Silicon Vikings