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Refer a founder

Know someone great that we have to meet?

The best startups often come to us through someone who believed in them early. Refer a founder, and we’ll take it from there.

Founders celebrating on stage at Sting Demo Day 2026 in StockholmFounders celebrating on stage at Sting Demo Day 2026 in Stockholm
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Founders celebrating on stage at Sting Demo Day 2026 in Stockholm

Owners and organisation

Sting is owned by a public-private foundation, the Electrum Foundation, and KTH Holding. The Electrum Foundation Board consists of representatives from the business sector (Ericsson, IBM and real estate owners), academia (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University and Swedish ICT) and the public sector (the City of Stockholm and Region Stockholm).

Sting’s activities are financed with public funds, from Electrum and our main partners Vinnova, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the City of Stockholm and Region Stockholm; and with private funding from partners, as well as through self-funding.

Being a non-profit organisation, all proceeds go straight back to the programs to help new startups become successful. It is a way for each participating company to “pay it forward”.

Board of directors,
Stockholm Innovation & Growth AB

Staffan Ingvarsson
Chairman, Stockholm Business Region
Lisa Ericsson
KTH Innovation
Karin Bengtsson
Electrum Foundation

Who to refer

What happens next

  1. You refer. Tell us who the founder is and why you believe in them.
  2. We reach out. Our team gets in touch with the founder.
  3. If it's a good match, we'll invite them to apply.

Why refer

Sting accelerates early-stage startups with coaching, a network of investors and experts, and a community of founders who've been there. A referral from someone who knows the founder carries weight. Many startups in our latest cohorts came to us through a referral.

Founder walking on stage at Sting Demo Day 2026 in Stockholm

Someone came to mind?

Refer a founder