SME-D

What SME-D does

SME-D is a Swedish non-profit trade association (branschorganisation) representing small and medium-sized enterprises that supply goods, services and consulting to the Swedish defense and total-defense sector across land, sea, air and cyber domains. Founded in 2014 and headquartered at Storgatan 19 in Stockholm, the organization maintains a membership base of more than 40 named defense-sector SMEs — including Knowit Defence Technology, Stockholms Reparationsvarv, Rybro International, W5 Solutions, and BlåGrön Konsult — and acts as their unified advocacy, networking, and market-intelligence channel toward Swedish defense authorities such as FMV (Försvarets Materielverk), Försvarsmakten, and MSB, as well as co-organizing industry events with SOFF and Folk och Försvar.

The association does not develop proprietary technology. Its 'product' is the SME-D Membership Program, which delivers recurring member benefits: structured activities, advocacy and influence work, broad defense-sector networking, market intelligence, access to total-defense authorities, dialogue with national politicians, and training via FMV and Försvarsmakten. Distribution is community-led through a self-serve website membership application, direct member engagement at industry events, and active participation in conferences such as the Folk och Försvar Rikskonferens (400+ attendees in 2025).

Revenue is generated almost entirely through annual membership fees on a subscription/recurring basis; pricing is deliberately undisclosed and membership is application-based. Since January 2026 SME-D has operated its secretariat from within TechSverige — the larger Swedish tech-industry and employer organization — and jointly launched the 'Årets säkerhetspris' (Security Award of the Year) with that partner. The organization is governed by an elected board of member representatives (Chairman Jaime Rico, Vice Chairman Andreas Nilsson) and a Secretary General (Jonas Sandwall, appointed January 2026). SME-D also benefits from MSB financing for voluntary defense organizations and provides its members with information channels to EU/NATO funding mechanisms such as the European Defence Fund and Nordefco.

Name

SME-D

Legal name

SME-D

Website

https://sme-d.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SME-D is a Swedish non-profit trade association representing small and medium-sized companies in the Swedish defense and total-defense sector, providing advocacy, networking, market intelligence, and access to FMV, Försvarsmakten, and MSB for its 40-plus member SMEs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: SME-D generates revenue through membership fees from small and medium-sized companies operating in the Swedish defense sector. Members receive access to networking events, advocacy services, market intelligence, and collaboration with defense authorities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SME-D is a Swedish trade association (branschorganisation) for small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the Swedish defense sector. It provides membership-based services including networking events, advocacy with defense authorities (FMV, Försvarsmakten, MSB), market intelligence, training seminars, and representation at national and international industry forums. Members gain access to procurement opportunities, regulatory navigation support, and dialogue with national politicians.

Product overview

SME-D is a Swedish trade association (branschorganisation) for small and medium-sized enterprises within the Swedish defense sector. It is not a technology product company but rather provides membership services including networking, advocacy, market intelligence, and access to total defense authorities. The organization connects member companies with opportunities in defense procurement, facilitates knowledge exchange, and advocates for SME interests in public procurement processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• TechSverigecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2026SME-D has established its secretariat function within TechSverige, the industry and employer organization for tech companies. This collaboration strengthens the tech industry's overall contribution to Sweden's total defense through increased cooperation, faster technology development, and better conditions for innovation within defense tech and security tech.
• SACS (Swedish Association of Civil Security)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2022SME-D and SACS signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen Swedish resilience. The collaboration aims to find synergies and offer members opportunities to benefit from each other's activities, broadening both organizations and strengthening the industry.
• FMV (Försvarets Materielverk)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFMV is a key government agency for defense procurement. SME-D members collaborate with FMV for procurement opportunities, and SME-D participates in FMV-organized events including advanced seminars and TechDay sessions.
• Försvarsmakten (Swedish Armed Forces)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swedish Armed Forces is a key partner for SME-D. The organization provides members access to defense forces through training opportunities, collaboration on total defense, and engagement at various events.
• SOFF (Swedish Security and Defence Industry)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSME-D co-organizes advanced seminars with SOFF, FMV, and Försvarsmakten covering areas such as defense procurement, logistics, army, management systems, aviation/space, and marine domains.
• Folk och FörsvarmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSME-D actively participates in the Folk och Försvar National Conference in Sälen, which is Sweden's most important forum for security policy, defense, and crisis preparedness discussions, bringing together approximately 350-400+ participants annually.
• MSB (Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSB (Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency) is a key emergency authority partner. MSB provides financing for voluntary defense organizations and collaborates on crisis preparedness and civil defense matters relevant to SME-D members.
• NATOminorOthersNATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is an intergovernmental military alliance of 31 European and North American states. Sweden's NATO membership affects the defense sector regulatory environment for SME-D members.
• EDA (European Defence Agency)minorOthersEuropean Defence Agency helps 27 member states (all EU countries) develop military capabilities, promote cooperation, and improve defense capacity. Relevant for SME-D members seeking EU defense funding.
• European Defence Fund (EDF)minorOthersThe European Defence Fund promotes development of a strong, competitive and innovative European defense industry. SME-D provides information and support to members regarding EDF funding opportunities.
• Nordefco (Nordic Defence Cooperation)minorOthersNordefco was established in 2009 to improve Nordic countries' defense capabilities and promote more efficient resource utilization. Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark cooperate on defense matters.
• Business SwedenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness Sweden assists Swedish companies with international expansion. SME-D members such as Rybro International have received support from Business Sweden for export activities, including assistance in Ukraine and the Kyiv embassy.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ASD (AeroSpace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe): Pan-European trade association representing the aerospace, security, and defense industry at the EU level. Comparable as a defense industry umbrella body advocating for member access to EU procurement and funding, though broader in scope and geography than SME-D.
• TechSverige: Sweden's largest tech industry and employer organization that now hosts SME-D's secretariat (Jan 2026). Comparable as a tech-industry trade association and co-creator of Årets säkerhetspris, but operates at much broader scale across all of Swedish tech, not just defense SMEs.
• NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association): US-based defense industry trade association with broad membership spanning primes, mid-tier, and small suppliers. Comparable as a defense-industry membership body advocating for supplier interests with government, though US-focused and at much greater scale.

Direct peers

• SOFF (Swedish Security and Defence Industry): Sweden's main defense and security industry association representing larger defense primes and SMEs. Direct peer because it covers the same Swedish defense ecosystem and co-organizes advanced seminars with FMV and Försvarsmakten alongside SME-D, differing mainly in scale and member size profile.
• SACS (Swedish Association of Civil Security): Industry association for civil security companies in Sweden. Direct peer given its signed MOU with SME-D (2022), overlapping membership base, joint annual meetings, and adjacent mission covering societal resilience.

Regional players

• ADS Group (UK Aerospace, Defence and Security): UK trade organization serving the aerospace, defense, and security sectors. Comparable as a national defense industry association model serving member companies with government advocacy and events, but operating in the UK rather than Sweden.
• PIA (Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries): Finnish defense and aerospace industry association. Comparable Nordic peer in the Nordefco framework, focused on member company interests in defense procurement and capability development.
• Norwegian Defence and Security Industry Association (FSI/NSIA): Norwegian defense and security industry association with similar mandate representing national defense suppliers. Comparable as a Nordic peer trade body, particularly relevant given Nordefco cooperation.
• FAD (Danish Defence and Security Industries Association): Danish association for defense and security industries. Comparable as a Nordic counterpart in the same Nordefco cooperation framework, with a similar SME-supporting mission.
• BDSV (German Security and Defence Industry Association): Germany's security and defense industry trade association. Comparable as a major European national defense industry body advocating for member access to Bundeswehr and EU procurement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sme-d

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 SME-D