Svenska institutet

What Svenska institutet does

Svenska institutet (the Swedish Institute) is a Swedish government agency founded in 1945 and operating under the authority of the Swedish Parliament and Government. It manages approximately SEK 560 million in annual state appropriations across four areas: international cooperation, international assistance, education and university research, and business. The agency employs approximately 120 staff across offices in Stockholm (Virkesvägen 2) and Paris (Institut suédois at 11 rue Payenne), with Paris functioning as Sweden's only cultural institute abroad.

SI's core offerings are scholarship programmes (SI Scholarship for Global Professionals and SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM), leadership programmes (Impact Pioneers), funding schemes (SI Baltic Sea and Eastern Partnership Programme), and cultural programming through Institut suédois including exhibitions, artist residencies and Swedish language courses. The agency maintains an integrated digital ecosystem spanning si.se, sweden.se, studyinsweden.se and sharingsweden.se, complemented by seven segmented newsletters and active social channels. Approximately SEK 311 million of its annual funding flows through the international aid expenditure area, supporting scholarships, leadership training and project funds.

The agency's go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer digital distribution with event-driven international recruitment in markets such as India, Singapore, Indonesia and Spain, executed in partnership with Swedish embassies and Business Sweden through the Team Sweden Talent Attraction network. Services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries, with revenue derived almost exclusively from Swedish state appropriations rather than commercial transactions. The Institut suédois also operates Café FIKA as a separate commercial venture. SI's mission is to strengthen, protect and measure Sweden's international reputation to support trade, talent attraction, investment and cultural exchange.

Name

Svenska institutet

Legal name

Svenska institutet

Website

https://si.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Svenska institutet is a Swedish government agency founded in 1945 that promotes Sweden internationally through scholarships, leadership programmes, cultural exchange (including Institut suédois in Paris), and funding schemes, funded by approximately SEK 560 million in annual state appropriations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Diplomacy and International Cultural Exchange Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Merit-Based Scholarships (Academic Excellence) (EDAIAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry) (EDAIAFAA), Virtual Recruitment Events, Fairs & Webinar Platforms (EDAIACAF), Erasmus+ and Government-Sponsored Exchange Partnerships (EDAIABAJ)

Keywords

• International scholarship programs
• Cultural exchange services
• Public diplomacy agencies
• Talent attraction programs
• International development cooperation

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriations: SI operates on behalf of the Swedish Parliament and Government and is financed mainly through appropriations from the state budget. SI manages approximately SEK 560 million in four areas: international cooperation, international assistance, education and university research, and business. Of SI's total funding, approximately SEK 311 million comes from the expenditure area for international aid, covering scholarships, leadership programs, and project funds.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Svenska institutet (SI) is a Swedish government agency that delivers fully-funded scholarships for international master's students at Swedish universities, leadership development programmes, project funding for international cooperation (notably in the Baltic Sea Region, EU Eastern Partnership and Ukraine), and Sweden-promotion services. It operates the Institut suédois in Paris as Sweden's only cultural institute abroad, providing art exhibitions, cultural events, residencies and Swedish language courses. SI also runs the Team Sweden Talent Attraction network and the Sweden Alumni Network, coordinating national efforts to strengthen Sweden's image and attract international talent.

Product overview

Svenska institutet (SI) is a Swedish public government agency that operates a portfolio of interconnected international exchange and promotion services. The core offering consists of scholarship programmes for international students (SI Scholarship for Global Professionals and SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM), leadership programmes (Impact Pioneers), and funding schemes (SI Baltic Sea and Eastern Partnership Programme). SI operates the Institut suédois in Paris as Sweden's only cultural institute abroad, offering exhibitions, events, residencies, and Swedish language courses. The agency also maintains a network of branded information platforms including Study in Sweden, Sweden.se, and Sharing Sweden that collectively promote Sweden internationally. Team Sweden Talent Attraction coordinates national efforts to attract international competence to Sweden. These products are unified by SI's mission to strengthen, protect and track how Sweden is perceived abroad.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Study in Sweden: Website providing information for international students interested in studying in Sweden
• Sweden.se
• Sharing Sweden
• Team Sweden Talent Attraction
• Work in Sweden

Products and services

• SI Scholarship for Global Professionals Fully-funded master's scholarships for international professionals at Swedish universities, with selection based on academic achievement and leadership potential. Targets fields including STEM, innovation, entrepreneurship, public health and governance. Recipients selected from a global applicant pool (12,922 applicants, 232 awards for 2026/2027 from 33 countries).
• SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM Dedicated scholarship programme promoting diversity in STEM sectors by awarding fully-funded master's scholarships to women from Africa and Asia for STEM-focused programmes at Swedish universities. 43 recipients in 2026/2027.
• SI Baltic Sea and Eastern Partnership Programme Funding programme enabling Swedish actors to initiate and develop cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region, contributing to the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, with options to include Ukrainian partners. Consolidates former project funding schemes and training programmes.
• Impact Pioneers Leadership Programme International leadership programme and collaboration accelerator focused on entrepreneurship, innovation and the green transition. Organised regionally with a Europe edition for ecosystem leaders from Eastern Europe, the Baltics and Sweden.
• Institut suédois (Swedish Institute Paris) Sweden's only cultural institute abroad, located at the Hôtel de Marle in Paris. Offers contemporary art exhibitions, multidisciplinary events (music, cinema, literature, performing arts), a permanent 18th-century art collection (managed with Nationalmuseum Stockholm), Swedish language courses, artist and researcher residencies, and Café FIKA. Free admission to exhibitions.
• Team Sweden Talent Attraction National network coordinated by SI that brings together Swedish actors (business, regions, municipalities, embassies, government agencies) to recruit international talent and promote Sweden as a talent destination. Includes an advisory board with representatives from business, regions and government agencies.
• Sweden Alumni Network Network connecting former scholarship recipients who studied in Sweden, including a Sweden Alumni Resource Hub for certified alumni network board members. Maintains ongoing engagement with Sweden through information sharing, alumni activities and continued brand ambassadorship.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150 million people reached worldwide through SI communications
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nationalmuseum, StockholmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationalmuseum manages the collections and permanent exhibition of Institut suédois. Collaborates on exhibitions such as the 18th-century art collection and special exhibitions including 'A New World' permanent exhibition and 'France, Sweden and the Ottoman Empire'. Curator Martin Olin serves as chef for collections at Nationalmuseum.
• Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSI collaborates with CBSS on organizing sessions at the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Annual Forum, particularly on Ukraine cooperation topics. CBSS moderates panel discussions while SI contributes perspectives on funding opportunities.
• KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeven-year collaboration under EU-funded twinning project focused on research and best practice exchange between Latvia and Sweden.
• RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeven-year collaboration under EU-funded twinning project focused on research and best practice exchange.
• Statistics Sweden (SCB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCB received SI support to initiate cooperation with Ukraine's statistical authority for strengthening Ukraine's statistical system, which grew from a small pilot to a major EU initiative.
• Swedish Universities and Higher Education InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSI partners with Swedish universities for scholarship programmes, hosting international students and facilitating alumni networks. Universities benefit from increased internationalization.
• Swedish Embassies and ConsulatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwedish embassies and consulates serve as distribution channels for Sweden promotion materials, career events, and talent attraction initiatives. Part of the Team Sweden network coordinated by SI.
• Business SwedencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness Sweden partners with SI on international recruitment events, such as Work in Sweden events at Bengaluru Tech Summit in India.
• Teknikföretagen (Confederation of Swedish Enterprise)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the 'Reports release and seminar on Swedish attractiveness' focusing on talent attraction, bringing together industry and public sector actors.
• Institut Français de SuèdeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of 'Résonances', a curatorial exchange programme between France and Sweden connecting visual arts institutions, along with IASPIS and Institut suédois.
• IASPISminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of 'Résonances' curatorial exchange programme between France and Sweden.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Erasmus+ (European Commission): EU's programme supporting education, training, youth, and sport across Europe, including international mobility and university partnerships. Comparable to SI's exchange and partnership programmes, though operating at supranational scale and partially funded through EU mechanisms.

Direct peers

• Fulbright Program: US flagship international educational exchange programme offering scholarships and academic exchanges. Comparable to SI's scholarship portfolio and alumni network, though operated as a binational partnership programme rather than a single national agency.
• Goethe-Institut: Germany's cultural institute operating in ~98 countries with ~160 offices, promoting German language and culture, running scholarships, and managing cultural programming. Closest functional peer to SI given shared state-mandate model and scholarship/cultural dual focus.
• Nuffic: Netherlands' organisation for internationalisation of education, managing scholarships (Orange Tulip, Holland), student recruitment, and policy analysis. Comparable to SI's scholarship administration, international student recruitment, and education-system internationalisation work.
• British Council: The UK government's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Directly comparable to SI as a state-mandated agency promoting a national brand, scholarships, cultural programming, and English-language teaching across ~200 offices worldwide.
• Instituto Cervantes: Spain's official institution promoting Spanish language and culture globally with ~80 centres. Comparable to SI as a state agency running language courses, scholarships, and cultural programming tied to a national brand mandate.
• DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst): Germany's national agency for international academic cooperation, awarding scholarships and managing university partnerships. Directly comparable to SI's scholarship and academic exchange functions (SI Scholarship for Global Professionals, partnerships with Swedish universities).
• Alliance Française: France's international network of ~800+ French language and cultural centres. Comparable to SI as a national cultural-promotion network combining language instruction, scholarships, and cultural events, though structured as a federation rather than a single state agency.
• Campus France: France's national agency for the promotion of higher education, international student services, and alumni engagement. Closely comparable to SI's Study in Sweden and Work in Sweden platforms and international student recruitment functions.
• Japan Foundation: Japan's public institution executing international cultural exchange, Japanese-language promotion, and intellectual exchange. Comparable to SI as a state-mandated cultural diplomacy agency combining language, arts, scholarships, and image-management functions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SweInstitute
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCChOlraOmc_HWVx7oV1w_ZQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/svenskainstitutet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swedish-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/Institutsuedois

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Svenska institutet