To better connect civilian solutions with the needs of the defense, several of Sweden's leading innovation environments are now joining forces in TACTIC, an initiative that has been granted 35 million SEK in funding from, among others, the EU.
Small, fast-moving technology companies are developing solutions that are important for Sweden's security. But there are often no ways to get their technology into the defense sector. To solve this, existing innovation environments can be used to help these companies grow.
Kista Science City, Sting, LEAD, Ideon Science Park and Uppsala Innovation Centre have been granted a total of SEK 35 million in funding from the EU, among others. The initiative will establish a national structure to accelerate the development of dual-use technology, i.e. solutions with both civilian and military use. 
– Sweden has enormous civil innovation power, but the technical solutions rarely reach all the way to the defense sector. By working together across regional borders, we can help companies navigate everything from innovation support to regulatory requirements and become business-ready for the defense market, says Karin Bengtsson, CEO at Kista Science City.
The participating organizations in TACTIC represent some of Sweden's strongest innovation environments within deep tech. Through new working methods, customized support and specialized environments, the aim is to help Swedish technology companies enter the defense market and make concrete deals.
About Kista Science City
City Kista Science City AB is an arena that accelerates open innovation, business development and commercialization of research. We do this with a focus on cybersecurity, defense technology, semiconductors and space technology, among other things. We create the conditions for effective collaborations between business, academia, research institutes and public actors. Kista Science City AB owned by the Electrum Foundation.
About Ideon
Ideon Science Park is Skåne's leading tech and deep tech science park and Sweden's first science park, founded in 1983 in Lund. We bring together entrepreneurs, researchers, companies and the public sector to transform research and innovation into sustainable solutions and growing companies. Through business development, incubation and accelerator programs, networks and strategic partnerships, we strengthen the power of innovation in areas such as defense, dual use, new space, energy, cybersecurity and advanced technology.
About LEAD
LEAD is one of Sweden's best business incubators that helps entrepreneurs build companies faster and more safely. We are aimed at entrepreneurs with companies that are innovative and have the potential to expand. The tools for success are based on a structured and quality-assured business development methodology that is based on close and committed business coaching. LEAD is owned by LiU Holding and is also financed by the municipalities of Norrköping and Linköping, as well as Vinnova.
About Sting
Sting is one of Europe's leading startup ecosystems, which has supported over 500 companies with coaching, networking and investments since 2002 - from idea to international growth. Through qualified and tailored business development support, we help founding teams build innovative growth companies that solve major important societal problems. We work primarily within Climate & Energy, Digital & AI, Resilience & Security and Health & Life Science. Sting is an independent, non-profit actor owned by the Electrum Foundation.
About UIC
UIC, founded in 1999, is one of Sweden's leading business incubators and accelerators. UIC offers startups and growth companies in all industries tailored business development support, financing, knowledge and networks to help them grow and scale up. The goal is to establish more innovative companies, reach the market faster and reduce risks in the early stages.
UIC's model combines business development programs tailored to different growth phases with a network of experienced business coaches from the business community who guide the companies. UIC is jointly owned by STUNS, Uppsala Municipality, SLU Holding and UU Invest and is part of Vinnova's program Incubation Support – Excellence. Read more at www.uic.se.
About TACTIC
The initiative will establish a functioning regional structure in the Stockholm region that connects civilian innovation environments, technology companies and actors within total defense to accelerate the development of dual-use technology. Through collaboration between Kista Science City, Sting, LEAD, Ideon and UIC, a model is created that gives companies access to needs dialogues, business development, test and demonstration environments and international collaborations.
By the end of the project, at least 80 small and medium-sized enterprises will have received support related to dual-use technology. At least 10 innovation processes between companies and need owners within total defense will have been implemented and at least 10 international partnerships will have been initiated.
A long-term, functioning collaboration structure between civilian innovation environments and defense actors will then be established. The result will strengthen the Stockholm region's industrial capacity and contribute to increased technological robustness and competitiveness.
Swedish
Danish
Norwegian
Finnish
English
German
Dutch