The third edition of the Financial Times’ ranking covers 180 hubs out of more than 3,000 eligible across Europe and draws on alumni feedback, expert evaluations, and analyses of which programmes have produced the highest-valued companies.  

In an expanded and increasingly competitive field, SSE Business Lab has once again moved up, securing seventh place and reinforcing its position as the top-ranked Nordic hub. 

Part of Stockholm’s rise as a startup hotspot 

For years, Stockholm’s startup story revolved around a handful of breakout companies. Firms like Klarna showed that Sweden could produce global tech champions despite its small size. Those successes helped establish the city’s reputation, but they were often seen as exceptional cases rather than the result of a broader system. 

Today, the conversation has shifted. A new wave of startups is emerging around technologies with broad, everyday applications particularly AI. Companies like Legora and Lovable are paving the way, inspiring a new generation of builders to join the fray. That change has turned Stockholm into a European hotspot for AI startups. 

Cultural shift 

Part of the momentum is cultural. Swedish startups have become more direct in how they present ambition, adopting clearer messaging and a more international tone. Whether driven by strong execution, effective storytelling, or a combination of both, the signal has traveled. Interest in Stockholm as a place to build companies has increased, and that attention is beginning to show up in ecosystem indicators such as international rankings. 

“The amount of talented founders that are flocking to Stockholm is impressive, and many choose to start their journey at SSE Business Lab,” says Sara Öhrvall, Chair of SSE Ventures. 

SSE Business Lab’s rise mirrors Stockholm. Despite its relatively small size, the hub now ranks ahead of far larger programs and is the only Nordic representative among Europe’s  top ten. The result reflects a founder-centric support, access to talent, and a strong network of investors and top industry actors. The hub has supported companies that compete internationally, including Klarna, VOI and Legora. 

“There is a reason I always find myself back here,” says Douglas Stark, co-founder of VOI, currently building in SSE Business Lab. “If you want to surround yourself with ambitious founders from day one, in a new designer office, Business Lab is the obvious answer.”