CO-AX Accelerator at Sahlgrenska Science Park

What CO-AX Accelerator at Sahlgrenska Science Park does

CO-AX Accelerator is a non-profit healthtech accelerator operated by Sahlgrenska Science Park AB, based at Sahlgrenska Science Park in Gothenburg, Sweden. Founded in 2015 and supported by a team of 8, the accelerator provides tiered programs—Open Coaching, Prepare (pre-incubation), Incubate, Accelerate, and a Product-Market Fit Assessment in partnership with UC Berkeley Deep Tech Innovation Lab—targeting healthtech, medtech, biotech, and deep tech startups. CO-AX offers 11 service lines spanning capital and investor readiness, regulatory compliance, IP and legal, funding and grants, technology and interoperability, test and validation, market access, sustainability, internationalization, and marketing and communication. The organization has supported 155 startups cumulatively, with portfolio companies collectively raising 8.03 BSEK and achieving 9.8 BSEK in combined market value, creating 653 jobs.

The accelerator operates on a no-equity model, charging startups a modest monthly fee of 1,000 SEK (VAT excluded) billed quarterly. Revenue is supplemented through soft funding facilitation (Vinnova, ALMI, Västra Götalandsregionen, and EU grants). Distribution is community-led and event-driven: CO-AX recruits through periodic application windows for Spring and Fall cohorts and participates in Nordic healthtech events including Vitalis, TechBBQ, Nordic Life Science Days, and Slush. Strategic partnerships extend the accelerator's reach—HealthTech Nordic Community provides access to 260+ peer startups, Nordic Proof enables structured validation across Nordic healthcare systems, and Mediq Innovation Experts and Swecare support German market entry.

The current portfolio breakdown is 60% healthtech, 30% medtech, and 10% biotech, with the Spring 2026 cohort including AI-driven companies Silico, AI4ra, K-stem alongside Realign and Lifelink. Notable alumni outcomes include Captario exceeding 30 MSEK revenue in 2023, Detectivio achieving ISO 13485 certification, Ventrilabs holding 6 patents, and Mirno winning the HealthTech Award 2026. CO-AX is governed under Swedish private limited company structure (Sahlgrenska Science Park AB, org. nr 556547-7832) and has recently expanded into European-level policy engagement through the PRECISEU Consortium.

Name

CO-AX Accelerator at Sahlgrenska Science Park

Legal name

Sahlgrenska Science Park AB

Website

https://coax.health

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CO-AX Accelerator is a non-profit healthtech accelerator in Gothenburg, Sweden, operated by Sahlgrenska Science Park AB. It supports healthtech, medtech, biotech, and deep tech startups through tiered programs without taking equity, having accelerated 155 startups since 2015.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthtech Startup Acceleration Services

NAICS

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Healthtech accelerator services
• Startup incubation programs
• Regulatory compliance consulting
• Market access support
• Clinical validation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gothenburg

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Membership Fees: CO-AX charges a monthly fee of 1000 SEK (VAT) for participation in their programs, billed on a quarterly basis. This fee partially covers use of facilities and internal events, and requires a small monetary skin in the game from startups. The accelerator explicitly states they do not invest or take equity in portfolio companies.
2. Soft Funding Facilitation: CO-AX facilitates access to soft funding opportunities through national and EU grants, connecting startups with Vinnova, ALMI, and Västra Götalandsregionen funding programs. They also provide verification funding support and connect companies with grant opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CO-AX Accelerator is a healthtech-focused startup accelerator that runs tiered programs (Open Coaching, Prepare pre-incubation, Incubate, and Accelerate) and a partnership program with UC Berkeley for US Product-Market Fit assessment. It sells structured business advisory services covering capital and investments, strategy and industry insight, compliance and regulatory framework, IP and legal, funding and grants, technology and interoperability, test and validation, market access, sustainability, internationalisation, and marketing/communication. The accelerator charges a 1,000 SEK monthly fee (billed quarterly) and explicitly does not take equity in portfolio companies.

Product overview

CO-AX Accelerator at Sahlgrenska Science Park is a healthtech accelerator offering a tiered program structure (Open Coaching, Prepare pre-incubation, Incubate, Accelerate, and UC Berkeley partnership) alongside comprehensive support services. The programs provide tailored mentorship and business development support, while services span Capital & Investments, Strategy & Industry Insight, Compliance & Regulatory Framework, IP & Legal, Funding & Grants, Technology & Interoperability, Test & Validation, Market Access, Sustainability, Internationalisation, and Marketing & Communication. The accelerator does not take equity and charges a monthly fee of 1000 SEK for participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CO-AX Open Coaching Free coaching session with CO-AX healthtech experts for aspiring entrepreneurs to explore their concept, understand the industry landscape, and accelerate their journey.
• CO-AX Prepare Pre-incubation program for aspiring healthtech entrepreneurs using the Sustainable Business Canvas Model and Innovation Readiness Levels to formulate a solid business strategy.
• Incubate Program Early-phase program providing personalized weekly support from business advisors, connecting startups with specialized consultants and partial financial support through verification funding.
• Accelerate Program Go-to-market acceleration program with strategic roadmaps, MVP validation, Product-Market Fit studies, investor access, and internationalization support.
• CO-AX Product-Market Fit Assessment Program USA Partnership with UC Berkeley Deep Tech Innovation Lab providing 250-350 hours of dedicated graduate student team support for market analysis and US market entry for Nordic deep tech startups.
• Capital and Investments Investor readiness support, strategic positioning, and networking with investors, experts, and future partners through curated matchmaking and exclusive events.
• Strategy and Industry Insight Strategic guidance including product-market fit assessment, business modelling, customer ROI and impact insights, and global scalability mapping.
• Compliance and Regulatory Framework Four-stage compliance journey (Orientate, Structure, Execute, Grow) covering EU MDR, EU IVDR, and Swedish Medical Products Agency guidance.
• IP and Legal IP strategy support including asset analysis, patent guidance, and connections to industry experts for protecting innovations.
• Funding and Grants Soft funding opportunities through national and EU grants, eligibility guidance, application strategy, and connections to partners for collaborative projects.
• Technology and Interoperability Strategic architecture decisions for cloud, AI tools, and data standards, helping startups build scalable and adaptable technical foundations.
• Test and Validation Opportunities Access to healthcare providers and testing environments including Nordic Proof network and Leap for Life for real-world validation across local, national, and international ecosystems.
• Market Access Market entry strategy covering reimbursement and pricing guidance, provider and payer adoption support, and tailored market trips.
• Sustainability Four-stage sustainability journey (Orientate, Structure, Execute, Grow) integrating environmental and social impact into business growth.
• Internationalisation and Scaling Global network and guidance for international expansion, connecting startups with industry partners, investors, and innovation hubs.
• Marketing and Communication Brand development, investor pitch materials, digital presence, and event visibility support for startup growth.

Quantifiable outcome

• 155 startups accelerated
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PRECISEU ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2025Sahlgrenska Science Park is partner in PRECISEU consortium working with European Parliament on life sciences innovation policy. Project involves 150+ stakeholders across 10 European regions to identify barriers and opportunities for personalised medicine and advanced therapies, focusing on regulation, clinical validation, reimbursement, and market access.
• HealthTech Nordic CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCO-AX is co-founder of HealthTech Nordic Community, a network of 260+ HealthTech, Medtech and Biotech startups and scaleups. The partnership supports members through events, an investor platform, Knowledge Boosters, and global networks of healthcare providers and market access partners.
• Nordic ProofcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne stop shop for test and validation in the Nordics. Nordic Proof provides structured access to a leading network of partners from renowned incubators, health institutions, and healthcare testing hubs and world-class health services. Helps innovators refine and prove their solutions at every stage.
• UC Berkeley Haas Deep Tech Innovation LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique partnership offering Nordic health deep tech SMEs opportunity to conduct Product-Market Fit Assessment with UC Berkeley. Program provides 250-350 hours of graduate student team support to analyze competitive landscapes, assess market opportunities, and review IP and regulatory considerations for US market entry.
• Innovationsplattformen, VGRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Innovationsplattformen at Västra Götalandsregionen strengthens innovation capacity of the healthcare system. Supports high-quality and sustainable innovation collaborations, transformation of healthcare, and contributes to regional and national growth in life science sector.
• Leap for LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHalland's platform for health innovation uniting public, private, and academic stakeholders. Provides high-quality test environments for meaningful validation and co-creation of healthcare solutions.
• Mediq Innovation ExpertscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mediq Innovation Experts (15 years experience, 55 implemented projects) supports Swedish MedTech companies approaching the German market. Provides expertise in navigating the large but complex German market through extensive network across academia, healthcare, and industry.
• SwecarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swecare supports Swedish healthcare and life science companies in international markets. Collaborates with CO-AX on delegation trips to Germany connecting startups with clinical innovation lighthouses and industry partners.
• VinnovaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish Innovation Agency partnership for delegation trips supporting Swedish MedTech companies in accessing international markets. Vinnova provides funding and strategic support for innovation initiatives.
• Center for Disaster MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter for Disaster Medicine (national center of expertise under Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare) relocated to Medicinaregatan 8A innovation hub. Focuses on disaster medicine, healthcare during crises and war, total defence medicine. Strengthens collaborative ecosystem and connection between research, innovation, preparedness, and practical healthcare.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• JLABS (Johnson & Johnson Innovation): Johnson & Johnson's global network of healthcare innovation incubators providing lab space, mentorship, and industry resources to biotech, medtech, and healthtech startups; comparable to CO-AX as a sector-specialized incubator but at substantially larger scale.
• EIT Health: Pan-European network (backed by EU) running accelerator and innovation programs for healthtech startups across multiple regions; comparable to CO-AX as a healthtech-focused startup support organization with a much larger geographic and funding footprint.
• Roche Pharma Day / pRED Innovation Hub: Roche's corporate innovation and partnership programs that engage healthtech and digital health startups for collaboration and acceleration; comparable to CO-AX as a pharma-corporate-sponsored healthtech support program.

Direct peers

• AstraZeneca BioVentureHub: AstraZeneca-operated biotech and healthtech incubator located in Gothenburg, Sweden, directly comparable to CO-AX by geography, sector focus, and mission to accelerate Nordic life-science startups through tailored company support.
• Karolinska Institutet Innovations (KI Innovations): Swedish innovation office affiliated with Karolinska Institutet that supports healthtech and life science startups from academic research; comparable to CO-AX as a Sweden-based healthtech venture support organization with clinical/research ties.
• Bayer Co.Lab / Pharma Accelerator: Bayer-operated pharmaceutical accelerator (formerly Grants4Apps) supporting early-stage healthtech and digital health companies; comparable to CO-AX as a corporate-sponsored healthtech accelerator offering tailored mentorship and access to industry partners.
• Nordic Health Lab: Danish healthtech hub that runs accelerator and testbed programs for Nordic startups; directly comparable to CO-AX in target customer (early-stage healthtech founders), Nordic geography, and emphasis on clinical validation and market access.
• Medicon Village Innovation Center: Swedish life science innovation park in Lund that hosts and supports biotech, medtech, and healthtech startups with lab and office facilities; comparable to CO-AX as a Swedish life science hub accelerating early-stage health ventures.

Others

• HealthTech Nordic Community: Non-profit Nordic community of 260+ healthtech, medtech, and biotech startups co-founded by CO-AX; included as an adjacent ecosystem organization whose members directly overlap with CO-AX's portfolio and value proposition.

Regional players

• Innovate UK Health & Life Sciences Catapults: UK government-backed innovation programs and Catapult network supporting healthtech startups with funding, mentorship, and testbeds; comparable to CO-AX as a publicly-backed healthtech acceleration entity but operating in the UK rather than Sweden.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/co-ax-accelerator

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 CO-AX Accelerator at Sahlgrenska Science Park