What Compare does

Compare Foundation (Stiftelsen Compare) is an independent, non-profit innovation foundation established in 2000 and headquartered in Karlstad, Värmland, Sweden. Operating from Karlstad Innovation Park, Compare functions as a regional innovation platform that convenes businesses, public sector bodies, academia, investors, and civil society to drive digital transformation around four priority areas: cyber and societal security, smart and sustainable communities, digital health innovation, and talent attraction. Its core deliverables are not commercial software products but coordinated programs and ecosystems: DigitalWell Arena (a VINNVÄXT-funded digital health ecosystem, 2019-2028), the Mighty European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH, 2024-2027) consortium, and the Cross Border Cyber Capacity (CBCC) Interreg Sweden-Norway project (2023-2026, total budget 2.1M EUR). Supporting assets include the COACH Digital Maturity Assessment tool (based on KTH Innovation Readiness Level) and the EU-level DMA, plus convening assets such as the Security Divas Sweden network and the annual Unfold Värmland conference.

The foundation's business model is grant-funded rather than commercial. Revenue streams comprise EU/Interreg program funding, regional and national government grants (Region Värmland, Vinnova, Tillväxtverket), and a symbolic network membership fee of 2,500 SEK per year. Services to SMEs, municipalities (Karlstad, Arvika, Eda, Årjäng, Säffle), and other regional stakeholders are largely free at point of delivery because they are subsidized through these public programs. Distribution occurs via direct engagement in projects, network events (networking breakfasts, regional conferences), and digital channels (newsletter, LinkedIn, Instagram). Technology focus areas include AI, IoT, high-performance computing, digital health, and cybersecurity, applied through project-based initiatives rather than a unified commercial platform.

Name

Compare

Legal name

Stiftelsen Compare

Website

https://compare.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Compare Foundation is a Swedish non-profit innovation platform established in 2000 and based in Karlstad, Värmland, that convenes regional SMEs, municipalities, academia, and investors to drive digital transformation across cyber security, digital health, and smart communities via EU and regionally funded projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Karlstad

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual administrative fee for network members set at 2,500 SEK per year for companies and organizations
2. EU/Interreg funding: Cross Border Cyber Capacity project funded by Interreg Sweden-Norway (EU support: 898,067 EUR, state IR funds: 380,000 EUR, total budget: 2,145,062 EUR)
3. Regional government funding: Funded by Region Värmland, Vinnova, and other regional/national funding bodies for specific innovation projects

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Compare (Stiftelsen Compare) is an independent non-profit innovation foundation that operates as a regional innovation platform, coordinating digital transformation initiatives across the Värmland region of Sweden. It delivers named projects and programs in cyber and societal security, digital health, smart and sustainable communities, and talent attraction, offering SMEs, public sector bodies, and academia access to skills development, networking, testing/proof-of-concept environments, and pathways to financing. Core revenue is derived from EU/Interreg and regional government grants, supplemented by an annual network membership fee of 2,500 SEK.

Product overview

Compare is an independent innovation platform (the Compare Foundation) that drives digital development and innovation in Värmland, Sweden. Rather than a unified software product, Compare operates as a coordination and support organization offering multiple initiatives and services: DigitalWell Arena (digital health innovation ecosystem), Mighty EDIH (European Digital Innovation Hub with digital maturity assessment tools), Cross Border Cyber Capacity (cybersecurity collaboration), Security Divas Sweden (women's cybersecurity network), and various AI/IoT projects. The organization also provides network membership services, coaching tools (COACH), and organizes events like networking breakfasts. These offerings work together to accelerate digital transformation across businesses and public sector in the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DigitalWell Arena: A digital health innovation ecosystem and arena launched in 2019 as part of VINNVÄXT initiative, focused on digital health technology development and adoption.
• Security Divas Sweden
• MIGHTY

Products and services

• DigitalWell Arena Digital health innovation ecosystem program delivered as part of a 10-year VINNVÄXT investment (2019-2028) currently in Phase 3. Aimed at healthcare providers, companies, and academia in Värmland, focused on increasing digital transformation in health data and scaling digital health technology adoption.
• Mighty EDIH European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) supporting small and medium enterprises in manufacturing and public sector with digital transformation. Services include Digital Maturity Assessment, technical advice and testing, networking and financing assistance, and further education in AI, cybersecurity, and high-performance computing.
• Cross Border Cyber Capacity (CBCC) Three-year Interreg Sweden-Norway project (2023-2026) focused on strengthening cybersecurity and societal security collaboration between Sweden and Norway. Develops Cyberrange Light for testing, organizes Challenge Labs, runs webinars, and operates a Cross Border Cyber Hub.
• Security Divas Sweden National network and annual conference for women in cyber and information security, created within the CBCC project to highlight female role models and promote gender diversity in the cybersecurity industry.
• Children and Youth Journey (Barn- och ungdomsresan) Regional AI project (2024-2026) developing AI-based tools to improve communication and coordination between agencies (schools, student health, social services, regional health) serving children and young people with mental health problems. Funded by Vinnova and Region Värmland.
• Smart and Safe IoT-based innovation project commissioned by Internet of Things in Sweden to discover how data can help create greater perceived safety for children and young people in public environments through IoT-based solutions.
• COACH Digital Maturity Tool Self-assessment tool based on the KTH Innovation Readiness Level model that enables small and micro enterprises in rural areas to measure and visualize their digital maturity through spider diagrams. Offered to SMEs as part of Compare's digital transformation services.
• Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA) EU-level digital maturity assessment tool offered through the Mighty EDIH for more complex digital maturity evaluation of small and medium-sized enterprises, complementing the COACH tool.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mighty EDIH project 2024-2027 supports SMEs in manufacturing and public sector with digital transformation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• Digital InnlandetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Norwegian partner in Interreg project Cross Border Cyber Capacity (CBCC). Jointly led the 2023-2026 project to strengthen cyber and societal security cooperation between Värmland and Innlandet regions.
• DigitalWell ArenacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Digital health innovation ecosystem established in 2019 as VINNVÄXT initiative. Now in phase 3, focusing on implementation and scaling of digital health technology in collaboration with healthcare providers, companies, and academia.
• Karlstads universitetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in multiple projects including cybersecurity, digital health, and AI initiatives. Key partner in DigitalWell Arena and CBCC projects.
• Cybercampus SverigemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompare became member of Cybercampus Sverige in December 2025, deepening national cybersecurity ecosystem cooperation.
• Norwegian Cybersecurity ClustermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CBCC Interreg project, contributing to cross-border cybersecurity collaboration between Sweden and Norway.
• NTNU (Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian University of Science and Technology partner in CBCC project, contributing research expertise to cybersecurity cooperation.
• Karlstad MunicipalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey municipal partner in multiple innovation projects including Smart and Safe IoT initiative, digital health, and cybersecurity projects.
• DigitalWell VenturesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Cyber X startup program and Cyber X Idea Lab for identifying future cybersecurity solutions. Developed Nordic Cyber X start-up programme.
• Mighty EDIH ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Digital Innovation Hub consortium including RISE, Propell, Sandbacka Science Park, and Dalarna Science Park. Supports SMEs in digital transformation through AI, cybersecurity, and HPC.
• Region VärmlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government partner providing funding and strategic alignment for innovation initiatives in Värmland.
• Attraktionskraft Värmland consortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative with Region Värmland, IUC Stål & Verkstad, and Paper Province working on talent attraction and skills supply in Värmland.
• Vaager InnovasjonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian innovation partner in CBCC project contributing to cross-border innovation ecosystem.
• Visit VärmlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Visitors eXperience Lab project for data-driven tourism service development.
• RISEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute partner in Mighty EDIH consortium for digital innovation support.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dalarna Science Park: Science park in Borlänge and Mighty EDIH consortium partner. Comparable to Compare as a regional cluster organization offering innovation services, digital transformation support, and SME development programs in central Sweden.
• Paper Province: Värmland-based cluster organization and Compare partner in the Attraktionskraft Värmland consortium. Comparable as a regional industry cluster that mobilizes business, academia, and public sector for innovation in a defined Swedish region.
• Karlstad Innovation Park: Innovation park physically co-located with Compare at Sommargatan, Karlstad. Directly comparable as a regional innovation hub for Värmland-based startups, SMEs, and scale-ups, with overlapping tenants and partner relationships.
• Propell Innovation: Dalarna-based innovation hub and Mighty EDIH consortium partner. Comparable to Compare as a regional EDIH node delivering digital maturity assessment, AI, and cybersecurity services to Swedish SMEs and municipalities.
• Sandbacka Science Park: Sandviken-based science park and core partner in the Mighty EDIH consortium alongside Compare. Comparable as a regional innovation hub providing digital transformation, incubation, and test-bed services to SMEs and public sector in Sweden.
• IUC Stål & Verkstad: Swedish industrial cluster partner of Compare in Attraktionskraft Värmland. Comparable as a regional cluster organization delivering innovation, skills, and digitalization services to manufacturing SMEs in the same Värmland ecosystem.

Regional players

• Innovation Norway: Norwegian government's national innovation agency and a peer funder of the Cross Border Cyber Capacity project alongside Compare. Comparable as a publicly-funded innovation platform supporting SMEs, clusters, and cross-border programs, but serving Norway rather than Sweden.

Broad incumbents

• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: Sweden's largest research institute and a core partner in Compare's Mighty EDIH consortium. Comparable as a publicly-funded innovation platform offering testing, AI, and cybersecurity expertise to SMEs and public sector, but at a national scale and a much broader mandate.
• Almi Företagspartner: State-owned Swedish business development and financing company. Comparable as a national, publicly-funded actor that delivers advisory, loans, and innovation services to Swedish SMEs, though operating at a national rather than regional level.
• SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks: National industry association for Swedish incubators, science parks, and innovation clusters. Directly comparable as a convener of regional innovation ecosystems, but operating at a national membership-association level rather than a single regional hub.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/comparekarlstad
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/compare-holding-ab
• Instagraminstagram.com/compare_karlstad

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Compare