Hi! How can we help?

Sting is Sweden’s leading startup accelerator/incubator, based in Stockholm. We help early-stage tech (Climate, Health, Digital Society & AI) and impact startups grow faster by offering deep business coaching, funding opportunities through Propel Capital, a collaborative community, and access to Sweden’s most extensive startup network.

Sting offers Sweden’s most tailored startup support — with hands-on coaching, access to investors, and a lifelong founder community. Through our Sting Core and Sting More programs, we help purpose-driven startups grow faster, raise smarter, and build lasting companies. Achieve Success Faster.

Sting stands out for its long-term, hands-on support. We combine a world-class coaching team with Sweden’s most active angel investor network. Our programs are equity-light, founder-focused, and deeply embedded in Stockholm’s innovation ecosystem. Startups benefit from personalised support, strong investor access, and a proven model that works even in challenging economic times

Once your application is submitted, our team will review it carefully. If your startup fits our criteria, you may be invited to pitch at one of our selection finals. From there, we select the startups we believe are ready for Sting Core — and notify all applicants of the outcome.

Once accepted, you’ll join us at A house for onboarding and set your milestone plan. The program is split into two blocks: “Get the Basics Right” and “Ready for Takeoff.” It covers everything from product and sales to fundraising, team, and marketing. You’ll also get coaching, office space, and startup perks.

Founder teams with an idea or startup that is scalable and has potential to grow internationally. We like to see teams with two to three people and ideally a mix of gender.

Definitely. Sting has close ties to Sweden’s leading angel investors and VCs. We host Demo Days, curated pitch events, and direct introductions to help you raise your next round.

Startups registered in Sweden as AB companies with bold ideas and real determination to drive change can apply. We focus on founders solving major challenges in HealthTech, ClimateTech, DeepTech, and beyond, ready to build scalable businesses and accelerate growth.

Sting’s Core program starts twice every year, in October and March. The application deadlines are generally in mid-August and late January. We evaluate applications continuously, and in certain cases, we may accept companies between the application periods.

Startups accepted to Sting Core have the opportunity to receive SEK 600,000 in an investment through a convertible note from Propel Capital, the investment company linked to Sting. The investment is optional and offered to selected companies early in the program based on clear selection criteria.

Propel Capital gives you exposure to a curated portfolio of Sting-supported startups, with the option to invest further. Contact us to learn more about the structure and how to get involved.

Propel Capital typically ends up with 1.5% to 3.5% ownership, depending on your startup’s valuation at the time of conversion. The final percentage is calculated based on the terms of your next qualified financing round.

Applications are open several times a year. Simply visit sting.co and select the program you’re interested in. Each application includes a question form, an opportunity to upload your pitch deck, and an optional short video. Selected startups are invited to pitch to our selection committee.

Yes. Many startups in our programs have raised pre-seed or seed funding. What matters most is whether Sting can help you reach your next major milestone faster.

If you submit an application after the deadline, your application is automatically tagged as “late”. You will still get evaluated based on your merits, but late applications are generally competing for fewer slots, which means it will get harder to get accepted the later you apply. It will also take longer for us to get back to you, as the process is already ongoing. 

We do our best to get back to you as soon as possible, however it depends on the availability of the coaches. Also keep in mind that late applications are often coming in during holiday periods, which may slow down the response time even more. But please be patient, we will email you as soon as your application has been reviewed.

Test Drive is a series of workshops for founders with an idea or a startup that are not quite ready to apply for our official startup programs yet. Test Drive runs 1-2 times a year and is usually sector-specific. For example, the past we’ve ran test drives focused on Climate and Energy, DeepTech, HealthTech and Blockchain innovations.

We welcome startups from across Sweden, but participation in our programs typically requires a physical presence in Stockholm during key parts of the program.

Each startup gets a dedicated Sting coach. In addition, you’ll access experts in sales, fundraising, product development, go-to-market, and team building.

Most of our events are currently invite-only and not listed publicly. However, we regularly share highlights and information about select upcoming events on our LinkedIn page and through our newsletter. To stay in the loop, make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter at sting.co/newsroom.

You can refer a startup by emailing our team or using any nomination form available throughout the year. Warm intros from alumni, investors, and partners are always welcome.

If technology is the core of your business, having your tech team in-house is essential. If technology is primarily a tool to solve a problem, outsourcing development can be an option to extend capacity—though it comes with some risks.

To maintain trust and a healthy community, we do not accept startups that directly compete with each other at the same time in our program. However, once a startup has graduated and been an alumni for at least six months, we may consider working with another company with a similar business idea.

Absolutely! Having secured funding before joining Sting is common and doesn’t prevent you from participating in our program. Many startups enter with angel investors already on board, and we’re here to help you build on that momentum with tailored support, strategic guidance, and access to our extensive network.

Sting delivers unmatched hands-on support tailored to your startup’s unique needs, combined with direct access to one of Europe’s largest and most active networks of founders, investors, and experts. Over 90% of our startups recommend Sting to their peers — and many return for follow-on programs.

Sting doesn’t charge upfront fees. Instead, we use a success-fee model in the form of stock warrants. If your company succeeds, Sting may convert those warrants into a small shareholding — helping us reinvest in the next generation of startups.

The purpose of Propel Capital is to connect Sweden’s best angel investors with our startups. Via the investment, we activate our angel investors to make direct investments into the company – adding both capital and experience.

Propel Capital invests via a convertible note that converts to ownership only when the company has raised at least SEK 1 million or more from external investors. This way, we avoid setting a valuation of the company too early.

For full terms and conditions, please contact emanuel.andersson@sting.co. Read more for an overall summary of the terms:

Propel Capital’s investment converts in two parts: • 400 SEK converts with a 30% risk discount on the terms of your next qualified financing round, with a valuation cap of 20 million SEK. • 200 SEK converts on the same terms as the round, without a discount or cap. The number of shares is calculated based on the valuation and terms of the round at the time of conversion.

Propel Capital guarantees a follow-on investment of 200,000 SEK as part of its initial investment offer. However, Propel Capital does not make any additional follow-on investments beyond this. Instead, Propel Capital’s CEO, Emanuel Andersson, actively supports portfolio companies in their financing rounds by facilitating introductions to potential investors.

Sting Test Drive is a hands-on evening workshop series combined with individual coaching. You’ll validate your idea, strengthen your business model, and explore future opportunities with Sting — all while keeping your day job.

It reflects our mission to support founders who are daring enough to challenge the status quo and bold enough to build companies that solve real societal and environmental problems. We believe startups can – and should – reshape the world for the better.

Yes, but having at least one co-founder is strongly recommended. Building a startup is a team sport, and strong, complementary, diverse teams tend to have a better chance of success.

Yes. Through Sting’s partner network, you’ll have access to top-tier advisors in areas like legal, IP, PR, recruitment, accounting, and more—often at discounted or pro bono rates.

We partner with corporations, public sector actors, service providers, and academic institutions. If you’re interested, contact us via our Contact page or email us directly.

Visit sting.co/contact or email us at hello@sting.co. You can also connect with individual team members via LinkedIn or the Team page on our website.

Yes, startups accepted into Sting Core are offered desks at A-house, our vibrant co-working office in central Stockholm.

You’ll join the Sting Alumni and gain continued access to our network, partner offers, events, and potential follow-on funding.

Yes, Sting Startup Academy is 100% free and open to anyone. Right now we have limited seats though, so you may be put on a waiting list until new seats open up.

Yes. We occasionally offer internships and are always on the lookout for talent, especially in marketing, operations, and investment. Keep an eye on our Careers page or reach out proactively.

There’s no one-size-fits-all. Our coaching is tailored to your startup’s unique needs, but at the core, we work in sprints, use lean and iterative methods, and help you test, learn, and adapt quickly. You stay in the driver’s seat — we’re here to guide, challenge, and support.

You have four weeks to complete the course before your account closes. But don't worry, if you need more time it will be possible to prolong your course period.