Northern Sweden’s mission to lure Silicon Valley impact stars

The riverside city of Skellefteå, home to just 78,00 residents, has been a magnet for top global talent since it was selected as the location for Northvolt’s first gigafactory in 2017.

But since Northvolt issued redundancy notices for around 1000 employees last year, there have been fears of a knock-on effect on industry and tech growth in the region.

Now three science parks in northern Sweden have launched a new initiative which could offer a glimmer of hope for impact companies.

The project, called Access North Sweden, is a collaboration between Skellefteå Science City, Piteå Science Park, and Luleå Science Park.

A magnet for Silicon Valley impact stars?

Through what it describes as a structured "soft-landing" programme, it hopes to attract international small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the region, particularly those from Silicon Valley. These businesses will be offered help with networking, administration, strategy and development, as well as scoring access to local testbeds. The three science parks will also provide office space.

"By connecting northern Sweden's unique resources with Silicon Valley's world-leading innovation scene, we can create opportunities for international companies to grow while contributing to our green transition," says Anna Mård, CEO of Skellefteå Science City.

Up to 100 new jobs

The project’s organisers hope the initiative will generate up to 100 new jobs in the region, and improve its attractiveness for future international investors and companies.

Northern Sweden has been increasingly marketing itself as an ideal destination for companies hoping to test, scale and implement sustainable technologies, thanks to an abundance of renewable energy resources and natural resources.

Despite its cold climate and dark winters the region has already attracted a growing global community in recent years – primarily due to Northvolt’s presence. An international school opened in 2021.

However questions linger about whether the redundancy notices and shifting priorities of the region's flagship impact employer will temper enthusiasm among prospective investors and talent.

Additional reporting by Maddy Savage