Filip Östlund

One of the reasons why Sweden is Europe's tech hub today, is that they subsidized 850 000 PCs to their population in the 90's. This year a private initiative was launched to make AI accessible for all 2.3 million civil servants, students, teachers, research institutions, and non-profits in Sweden. Will history repeat itself? https://lnkd.in/d79P9YiZ

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Festina Finance joins the billion valuation club as Netcompany increases its stake Danish fintech Festina Finance has reached a new milestone with a 1 billion DKK valuation following a fresh investment from Netcompany. The IT giant upped its ownership from 20 to 22 percent, valuing the company nearly twice as high as when it first invested in 2023. Festina Finance develops core systems for banks and pension companies and has been gaining ground in the Nordic and Dutch markets. The company’s CEO Mikael Braagaard confirms ongoing conversations with new investors and reiterates the long-term ambition of reaching unicorn status. According to him, momentum is building while investor interest continues to grow. The valuation jump reflects broader trends in fintech infrastructure. Netcompany’s recent acquisition of SDC for 1 billion DKK marked a rare shift in Danish banking, where datacentres have traditionally been owned by banks themselves. That model is changing. With Netcompany Banking Services now in place, Festina Finance sits at the intersection of a consolidating infrastructure play and a growing demand for modern advisory tools. While Festina Finance posted a loss of 22 million DKK last year, revenue grew to 171 million. Like many high-growth companies in the sector, the past years have been defined by investment and expansion rather than profitability. With a stronger institutional shareholder base, rising international presence and a clearly stated unicorn goal, Festina Finance is positioning itself as a next-generation fintech infrastructure provider.

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A new quantum chapter begins in Copenhagen. Today, Denmark and EIFO take a bold step into the quantum future. Together with Novo Holdings, Vsquared Ventures and Cambium Capital Management, we are proud to launch 55 North, the world’s largest venture fund dedicated exclusively to quantum technologies. This follows a strategic quantum objective set by the Danish Government two years ago. With a target size of €300 million, 55 North is a strategic investment in the future of computing, secure communication, healthcare and other fields where quantum will make a difference. Why is EIFO so focused on quantum?   Because this is about building critical infrastructure for the future. We want to help position Denmark and Europe strongly in a rapidly evolving global landscape.   This fund has been two years in the making. The EIFO team has mapped most of the European ecosystem, evaluated dozens of potential partners, and worked closely with the Novo team to make this happen.   The result, I believe, is pretty decent: 55 North is backed by an outstanding team with decades of experience building deep-tech companies across Europe and the US:   Owen Lozman Helmut G. Katzgraber Kai Hudek Michael Jobst David Moehring   In a way, the incubation of the quantum fund is a classic EIFO effort. Quantum is more complex than most things we do. But at the end of the day, it’s about orchestrating the right people and the right capital behind a strategic ambition.

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Christian Axberg didn’t start in tech. He started in hospitality.   Since then, he has led transformations in pharma, IT, and fast-growth startups, and now serve as Partner at Amrop Sweden, advising senior execs on leadership in the digital age.   His biggest insight?   Relevance isn’t tied to a title. It’s tied to your ability to evolve.   In this conversation, Christian shares what he sees as the non-negotiables for tech leadership: → Curiosity - not just for tech, but for people → Courage - to step into change before it’s comfortable → Collaboration - across silos, egos, and uncertainty For leaders navigating complexity, AI disruption, and shifting cultures — his perspective is a timely reminder:   The edge doesn’t come from knowing more. It comes from thinking differently.   What belief has kept you relevant through every shift in tech? → https://lnkd.in/dwj6Q_n4

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So, how did Heartbeat AI handle the “K2 and Everest” electricity price peaks? ⛰️⚡ We analysed the performance of thousands of 1KOMMA5° Sverige Heartbeats in southern Sweden, here’s what happened on the 8th and 9th of September 2025: While the market price spiked above 500 öre/kWh, Heartbeat automatically shifted consumption away from the most expensive hours, protecting our customers from unnecessary costs and lowering CO₂ emissions. 🙌 🔋 During the night, the battery fleet charged from the grid to avoid feed-in during the “K2” price peak. ☀️ During the day, most customers had enough PV capacity and sunlight to fully charge their batteries, avoiding the “Everest” peak in the evening. 👉 No manual planning. 👉 No lifestyle changes. 👉 Just smart, automated flexibility. Flexibility is the backbone of tomorrow’s energy system. With Heartbeat AI, it’s already reality today. 🚀

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The Nordic Consumer M&A report for H1 2025 is now live! The report covers transaction activity and valuation trends across the Nordic Consumer markets during the first half of 2025. Deal activity has remained stable compared to H2 2024, with Nordic volumes outperforming other European markets despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. While trading multiples are still below their historical averages (a large selection of listed consumer companies at 8.2x EV/EBITDA vs. 5-year average of 9.8x), consumer confidence has shown signs of recovery in Sweden, Norway, and Finland - indicating a cautiously optimistic outlook for the sector. For insights into sub-sector trends and notable recent transactions, explore the full report. Feel free to reach out to our Consumer M&A team if you have any questions or would like to discuss market opportunities.

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The global ESG landscape may be shifting, but at Swedbank, we are unwavering in our belief that sustainability is central to responsible banking 🏦 We believe that sustainability and long-term financial success are inseparably linked. In today’s complex and uncertain environment, the need to support our clients in their transition is greater than ever. Our role is to help them navigate change, manage risks, and seize new opportunities in a more sustainable economy. For many companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, ESG discussions often come with frustration — largely due to the growing volume and complexity of regulations. Swedbank Group Head of Sustainability, Johanna Fager Wettergren, acknowledges the increasing administrative burden but stresses the importance of regulation in driving change. "Yes, ESG rules have multiplied in recent years, and with them comes bureaucracy. While this creates challenges, regulation remains a key driver of transparency and progress — especially where voluntary measures alone may fall short," she explains. Finding the right balance is crucial: "Legislation is necessary, but rules must also be practical — impactful without overwhelming companies," Wettergren adds. The risks of ignoring ESG are clear: financial losses, reputational damage, sanctions, and missed opportunities. "It’s no longer just about doing the right thing — it’s about protecting long-term value and resilience," she concludes. Read more (the article is in Estonian) 👉 https://lnkd.in/d__R2mnh 📷: Kaupo Kalda

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