# Sting

> Sting is a Stockholm-based, non-profit startup incubator and accelerator founded by Pär Hedberg in 2002. It supports early-stage technology founders with business coaching, recruitment, commercial development and investor access. Its flagship Sting Core program runs for 6-18 months, with optional investment from Propel Capital for selected companies and specialist support for deep tech, climate, health and AI.

- **Founded:** 2002
- **Headquarters:** Stockholm, Sweden
- **Founders:** Pär Hedberg (Founder; former CEO (2002-2023), now Senior Advisor)
- **Products:** Sting Core, Sting Race, Science to Business, Startup Academy, Open Coaching
- **Notable:** Supported more than 500 startups since 2002, according to its October 2026 cohort announcement., Alumni include Yubico, Sellpy, Airmee, Volumental, TERASi and IPercept., Reported 2024 combined revenue of EUR 641 million across 350 active Sting companies; this is portfolio-company revenue, not Sting revenue.

## Products & services

- **Sting Core** — Flagship 6-18 month program in six-month blocks, combining business coaching, sales, product and IP support, recruitment, investor relations, workspace and alumni access. Launched in 2025, replacing Incubate and Accelerate.
- **Sting Race** — Eight-week investor-readiness sprint with sector tracks and investor events; intended for teams preparing a pre-seed or seed raise.
- **Science to Business** — Research-commercialization support, including co-founder matching, expert networks and potential convertible loans up to SEK 100,000 for patents and SEK 250,000 for key personnel.
- **Startup Academy** — Free, self-paced online entrepreneurship courses, including a DeepTech Science to Business track.
- **Open Coaching** — Free 20-minute online sessions with startup coaches to discuss a pitch, challenge or program fit.
- **Sting Test Drive** — Early-stage workshop series for validating ideas in areas including deep tech, health and climate.
- **Propel Capital access** — Selected Core companies may receive SEK 600,000 via a convertible note: SEK 400,000 up front and SEK 200,000 follow-on. Optional and separate from Core warrants.

## Achievements

- Supported more than 500 startups since 2002, according to its October 2026 cohort announcement.
- Alumni include Yubico, Sellpy, Airmee, Volumental, TERASi and IPercept.
- Reported 2024 combined revenue of EUR 641 million across 350 active Sting companies; this is portfolio-company revenue, not Sting revenue.
- Unified Sting Incubate and Sting Accelerate into Sting Core in October 2025.
- Welcomed 21 companies in autumn 2026, described by Sting as its largest and most international cohort to date.
- Initiated Turbine Capital, whose first fund closed at SEK 608 million in October 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — October 12 announcement: Turbine Capital Fund I closed at SEK 608 million on October 9. Mycronic joined the industrial investor base.
- **2026-10** — October 6: Sting welcomed 21 autumn Core startups and announced three new coaches: Sandra Jernström, Siam Choudhury and Corey Blackman.
- **2026-06** — June 8: Health Action received ERDF and Region Stockholm financing to support regional healthtech and life science growth, internationalization and investor readiness.
- **2026-03** — March 24: 13 startups joined Sting Core across areas including energy, cybersecurity and women’s health.

## Links

- Website: https://www.sting.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stingsthlm/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/stingsthlm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stingsthlm

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/sting
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-24