As summer begins, I find myself looking back on a spring of real momentum.

We were recognised as one of Europe's Leading Startup Hubs, top 20 in Europe and #1 in DeepTech in the Nordics. But the milestone that stayed with me most was quieter: over 500 companies have now gone through Sting. That number means something.

This spring, we also launched our second Core batch, ran the second Climate Race, and supported 27 early-stage teams across three parallel Test Drive tracks. Across all of it, the same thing held true: founders showing up with bold ideas and the determination to make them real.

This autumn, we're building on that with several new initiatives, TACTIC, Sting Health Action, and an expanded Sting Climate Action, designed to deepen how we support founders tackling the challenges that matter most. No small task, but then again, neither is building a startup.

For now, I hope you find proper time to switch off and recharge. I'm looking forward to reconnecting in the fall,  including at our next Demo Day on 21 September.

See you in August. We promise not to over-communicate while you're away⛱️

Warm wishes,
Karin Ruiz

Sting co-Initiates national defence innovation initiative TACTIC

Sweden's defence sector needs access to technical innovation. Plenty of civilian companies are building solutions that could help meet those needs, but the routes between civilian innovation and defence requirements are often unclear.

That's why Sting has co-initiated TACTIC, a national initiative built to make that connection more structured. Together with Kista Science City, LEAD, Ideon Science Park, and UIC, we're supporting startups and scaleups developing technologies that could contribute to Sweden's defence, security, and resilience.

The initiative offers access to markets and experts, business development support, capital and investors, test and demonstration environments, and international collaborations. TACTIC has received 35 million SEK in funding from, among others, the European Union (the European Regional Development Fund) and Region Stockholm.

Sting Rockets invests in Pythom Space

Europe needs more satellite launch capacity to strengthen its sovereignty, and that's why we've set up a new investment company, Sting Rockets, to invest in Pythom Space. The Swedish American company, founded in 2020 by Tom and Tina Sjogren, builds affordable rockets that give Europe greater flexibility and independent control over launch capacity.

Pythom already has serious backers, including the Wallenberg family via FAM and SAAB, which invested USD 10 million in autumn 2025. Sting Holding and several experienced business angels are backing Sting Rockets, including investors from Propel Capital. Pythom joins satellite company ReOrbit in our portfolio, giving us two of Europe's most exciting space tech companies. 

Sting launches Health Action for healthtech and life science founders

Building a healthtech or life science company is hard because of regulation, product validation, capital, partnerships, and international expansion. That's why we're launching Sting Health Action.

With funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Region Stockholm, together with Karolinska Institutet Innovation, UIC, and other ecosystem partners, we help great companies grow faster, and get promising innovations to the patients and healthcare systems that need them.

A huge thanks to ERUF, Region Stockholm and all our partners for making this initiative possible.

Sting Climate Action extended through 2029

The Climate Action project just secured a multi-year extension, with new financing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERUF) and Tillväxtverket.

This means we'll keep backing climate founders through 2029, helping them validate technologies, raise capital, and scale solutions that address the climate crisis.

A huge thanks to ERUF and Tillväxtverket for making this next chapter possible.

Open for applications: 
Apply to Sting Core

The founders who join Sting Core aren't waiting for permission. They're building ambitious companies, tackling complex problems and pushing to create something that matters. We're looking for bold founders with the vision, drive and potential to build the next generation of impactful companies in Climate & Energy, Health & Life Science, AI & Digital Society, and DeepTech.

If that's you, now is the time to prove it.

Start date: October 5th

Application deadline: August 16th

Save the date:
Sting Open House

Join us for an informal open house built for those who are exploring Sting Core and want to understand what we offer before taking the next step. Come meet the team, see the space, and ask questions: how the program works, who it's for, and whether it fits where you're headed. 

When: Tuesday, 12 August 2026, 15:00–17:00

Where: Sting, A House Ark, Östermalmsgatan 26A

Who: Open to founders and startups not yet part of Sting who want to learn more about Sting Core. 

Female Angel Breakfast

Hosted by Sting and Brann, this is a morning for conversations about what it takes to back early-stage startups: how decisions are made, what experienced investors look for, and how capital is being deployed as AI reshapes entire industries.

Expect a panel discussion, plenty of networking, and candid perspectives from investors.

When: Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 08:30–10:30

Where: Westmanska Palatset, Holländargatan 17, 111 60 Stockholm

Who: Female Angel Investors only. Women who are actively investing in, or seriously exploring investing in, early-stage private companies. Seats are limited to 40. Register your interest to be considered.

Open roles at Sting

We’re looking for two new people to join the Sting team.

If you’re excited by startups, founders, and the energy of building things that matter, this could be for you.

AI-native Growth Marketing Associate

We are looking for an AI-Native Growth Marketing Associate who thrives at the intersection of creative content, AI-tools and growth.

Community & Events Manager

We're looking for a hands-on Community and Events Manager to own Sting's events, build our community, and shape the experience of being in our office.

Get to know our Sting Core Spring 2026 a bit more

Over the coming months, we'll introduce each Sting Core Spring 2026 company. Stay tuned to see what they're building and the problems they're solving.

Re:notch

Property owners install rooftop solar and immediately hit a limit: midday generation exceeds what the building can use, and the surplus has nowhere meaningful to go. Meanwhile, the same building pays full price to heat itself through winter.

Re:notch captures that surplus solar power and stores it in the bedrock under each property, not in batteries, turning the geology already beneath the building into a seasonal thermal store. The system is repaid within five years through energy savings, and the owner benefits from roughly 50% lower heating and cooling costs across a 25-plus year system life. Each building also becomes a controllable flexibility asset for the grid, assisting the grid with balancing capability. One system, three outcomes: lower & predictable cost for the owner, recurring revenues for Re:notch and a more balanced grid.

"One of the most valuable things Sting has provided is access to a network of experts and entrepreneurs who are always willing to help. Whether we need industry-specific expertise, fundraising advice, or support on a specific challenge, there is always someone in the Sting network we can quickly turn to for guidance and relevant insights."

- Oliver Vukic from Re:notch

REBATTEX

REBATTEX is building the transaction infrastructure for Europe's emerging second-life EV battery market.

As millions of electric vehicles enter the market, a growing number of battery packs are being removed from damaged vehicles or retired from their first use. Yet there is still no standardized way to verify battery condition, document compliance, manage traceability, or connect sellers with qualified buyers.

This fragmentation creates risk for dismantlers, repairers, energy storage companies, and other battery stakeholders, slowing the development of a circular battery economy.

REBATTEX brings the process together in a single platform, combining battery verification, battery passports, automated compliance documentation, secure transactions, and dangerous goods logistics support. The result is a more transparent, compliant, and scalable pathway for batteries to move from first to second life.

"Building a company often feels like solving a thousand problems at once. What Sting has given us is access to founders, investors, and advisors who have already been through that journey. Having the opportunity to discuss challenges openly with people who have built successful companies has been incredibly valuable.
The biggest benefit isn't a single introduction or workshop - it's being surrounded by inspiring people and a network that constantly challenges your thinking and helps you make better decisions as you grow."

- Andy Rietschel from Rebattex

Sting Company News

Humy.ai Named #1 AI Tool for Social Studies Teachers, Reaches 100+ School Customers

Humy.ai reached over 100 schools as paying customers and started pilots in 4 universities.
Humy.ai was named the #1 tool for social studies teachers by Schooling America. 

Care to Translate Rolls Out Across All Three Rijnstate Hospitals in 14 Days

Rijnstate became the first hospital in the Netherlands to implement Care to Translate across its entire organization — three hospitals — in just 14 days, making national news.

Barrion Surpasses 4,000 Registered Users and Enters Closed Beta for AI Pentesting

Barrion has now reached over 4000+ registered users. Including big brands, like Oracle, Shopify, Godaddy. Furthermore, we've completed development of our AI-based pentesting which has been completed and is now in closed beta, approaching launch for our customers.

Beskow von Post Wins Best Innovative Project at ETSA Congress 2026

Beskow von Post was awarded the Best Innovative Project at the ETSA Congress 2026 in Amsterdam. Through its patented REVTEX® process, the company extends the life of already-produced textiles by recovering and reusing textile components at the highest possible value, transforming discarded workwear destined for incineration into premium new products. The jury praised its ability to combine bold innovation with practical implementation. Beskow von Post's circular design work also powered another win at the same awards: its customer Hr Björkmans Entrémattor took home the prize for Excellence in Design and Functionality (Best Workwear & PPE), built on Beskow's creativity and circular design principles.

IntellAif contributes to European discussion on trustworthy AI in Berlin

Intellaif is working with Testing Experimentation Facility, a flagshop program of the European Union for building robust technology. Intellaif works with the nodes, RISE and Karolinska Centre for AI at an early stage to build trustworthy AI. We shared our perspectives at the international public summit for trustworthy AI organised by TEF node Charite University of Berlin. Event took place at Academy of Arts near the historic and symbolic Brandenburg gate.

Thank you to our partners! 

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