Find the Right Sting Program for Your Startup: When Is It the Right Fit?

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Sting Programs at a Glance

Sting organises its programs along a clear progression: from idea validation, to company building and financing, to investor readiness and speed.

Sting Core

Sting Core is our flagship program that runs for up to 18 months (three 6-month periods) for ambitious tech founders ready to fast-track their startups' growth with purpose and precision. Depending on your needs, you can stay 6, 12 or 18 months. Whether you're building in climate, health, AI, or DeepTech, this is where standout ideas become investable companies. It runs two cohorts per year and covers coaching and business development, go-to-market and growth, team and recruitment, product and IP, investor relations, community access, and co-working space. Teams may also be eligible for investment through Propel Capital.

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Sting Race

Fast-track your investor readiness with a focused sprint designed to help you secure your next round, faster and smarter. After 8 weeks, you will get the chance to pitch your idea in front of 100+ investors at one of Sting's private investor events. The hybrid format makes this opportunity accessible if you want to join in from another part of the EU. It's designed to sharpen your business model, pitch, and investor materials, and connect you directly with investors and partners. 

Sting Race runs different sector tracks each year. The most recent was Sting Climate Race. Sting Deep Tech Race is coming next. Applications are not yet open. Watch the Sting Race page for updates, and compete for one of 12 seats to gain access to our network and unique Peer-to-Peer learning.

Sting Test Drive

Sting Test Drive is pre-incubation, consisting of hands-on workshops for super-early-stage projects with global potential. We focus on niche areas like Climate & Energy, Health and DeepTech, connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with expert coaches. Join us to sharpen your pitch, gain insights from experienced entrepreneurs, and explore growth opportunities with Sting.

Sting Startup Academy

Startup Academy and Startup Academy Science to Business is a free, online, self-paced course designed to take your idea to the next level. It's built on Sting's 20+ years of experience working with founders and is open to anyone, anywhere.

It's the perfect setup if you're interested in applying to any of our startup programs.

Open Coaching

Not a program in the traditional sense, but worth knowing about: Open Coaching lets you book

a free 20-minute session with one of Sting's startup coaches. A good way to pressure-test

whether you're ready to apply.

A Note on Funding: Propel Capital

Propel Capital invests exclusively in Sting companies. Startups in Sting Core may be offered a total investment of 600 000 SEK, with 400 000 SEK provided up front and 200 000 SEK guaranteed as a follow-on investment. To receive potential capital from Propel Capital, startups must first apply to and be accepted into a Sting Core program, where they receive the expert coaching and validation required for investment.

Which Types of Programs Fit Best

Sting Core fits best when you are committed to solving big, urgent problems with global relevance. You have at least two co-founders working 50–100%, with 75% or more of the company owned by the operational team. The strongest teams are mixed-gender, international, and complementary. You have scalable solutions in Climate, Health, DeepTech, or AI that can truly move the needle. Your tech foundations are strong, MVP or prototype stage (TRL 3–6), before commercial launch or recurring revenue. You have a clear market opportunity in a large, growing international space. A Swedish organisation number is required for admission to Sting Core.

Sting Race fits when you have a significant impact in your field. You are raising a pre-seed or seed round within the next 12 months. You have at least two founders (preferably mixed), fully committed and ideally working full-time. You must have an investor pitch deck (draft accepted). You should be located in Sweden or in the EU.

Sting Test Drive fits when you have an idea and are just getting started. You will receive tasks to complete and bring with you to prepare for each of the workshops. To get the most out of it, and out of respect for your peers, it’s essential that you come to all sessions in person and complete the assigned homework. Sting Test Drive gives you the tools, community, and confidence to take the first step from lab to market, to transform your scientific achievements into solutions for real-world problems, and hopefully make a lot of money while making the world a better place.

Sting Startup Academy fits when you're still exploring. You have a spark of an idea but need foundational frameworks before committing to anything structured. It's self-paced and online, so there's no scheduling pressure.

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Quick Check: Which Track Matches Your Situation

Feature

Startup Academy

Test Drive

Core

Race

Stage

Idea or curiosity

Early idea, research stage

MVP/prototype stage (TRL 3–6), before commercial launch or recurring revenue.

Raising pre-seed or seed rounds within the next 12 months

Team

Solo or none yet

Solo or early co-founder

At least two committed co-founders working 50–100%, with 75% or more of the company owned by the operational team.

At least 2 founders

Raising funding

No

No

Ready for investment

Raising pre-seed or seed rounds within next 12 months

Pitch deck

Not needed

Not needed

Required 

Required 

Commitment level

Self-paced

In-person sessions required + homework

At least two committed co-founders working 50–100%

4-6 hours / week

Sectors

All sectors

Sector-specific tracks

Climate and Energy, DeepTech, Digital Society and AI,  and Health and Life Science

Sector-specific tracks

Cost

Free

Free

Up to 2% Sting Warrant per 6 month block success fee (excluding Propel Capital investment)

Ownership stake only when you raise within 12 months

Best for

Exploring and foundation

Scientists moving toward market, Early ideas that are at research stage

MVP/prototype stage (TRL 3–6), before commercial launch or recurring revenue.

‍Fast-tracking your investor readiness with a focused sprint designed to help you secure your next round

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If you’re not ready to apply to one of our programs yet, you can book a free 20-minute session with a Sting startup coach for advice on how to move forward on your journey.

When Sting Isn't the Right Fit

Sting prioritises scalable solutions in Climate and Energy, DeepTech, Digital Society and AI, or Health and Life Science that can truly move the needle. If your startup falls outside these sectors and you're not yet committed to solving a big, urgent problem with global relevance, Sting isn't the right place yet.

If you're pre-idea, start with Startup Academy, get grounded, then come back.

Sting Core requires a Swedish organisation number and a team. Solo founders and non-Swedish entities aren't eligible, regardless of how strong the concept is.

For Sting Race, if you're not actively preparing to raise within 12 months, the sprint format won't land the way it should.

Not sure where you fit? Book a free 20-minute session with a Sting startup coach for advice on how to move forward on your journey.

Ready to Explore?

• Apply to Sting - applications are open
• Book Open Coaching - free 20-minute session with a Sting coach
• Sting Startup Academy - free, self-paced online course

References

• Sting Core - Program overview and structure
• Sting Race - Climate and Health Tech accelerator tracks
• Sting Climate Race - Program description
• Sting Test Drive - Pre-incubation workshops
• Sting Startup Academy - Free online course
• Sting Open Coaching - Free 20-minute sessions
• Sting FAQ - Propel Capital convertible terms
• Sting FAQ - General program questions
• Sting News: Sweden's Energy Future Takes the Stage as Climate Race Returns
• Vinnova: Sting - Excellent Incubation and Acceleration 2025-2029

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