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Silicon Valley vibrates – trends and opportunities from Vinnova's envoys
Silicon Valley has long been and still is one of the world's most dynamic innovation environments and a central place for Swedish organizations to collaborate. In order not to miss important opportunities, Sweden needs to be present where it happens.
That's why Vinnova has three employees in Silicon Valley, and two of them have recently moved there. We asked Inger Gustafsson, Joakim Skog, and Moa Persdotter to share their insights and reflections from the US right now.
Joakim Skog, Inger Gustafsson and Moa Persdotter on site in Nordic Innovation House in Silicon Valley
– In a time of uncertainty and increasing division, it is more important than ever to build partnerships and collaborate across borders. By being on site, we can create new connections between Sweden and some of the world's most prominent innovation environments. California is the world's fourth largest economy, and the Nordic region is the world's ninth largest. This means that if we join forces, we can together have a major impact on which solutions are actually developed and contribute to solving the global challenges we face, says Inger Gustafsson, who has lived in Palo Alto for 7 years as an envoy for Vinnova.
By being on site, we can create new connections between Sweden and some of the world's most prominent innovation environments.
– Innovation, investments, creativity, people's lives - Silicon Valley is vibrating! It's an incredibly exciting time to observe up close. The picture of the USA we had from home has become significantly more nuanced now that we are in place, continues Joakim Skog.
Three major trends with opportunities for Sweden
Inger, Joakim and Moa see some strong trends that have great potential to affect Sweden in the coming years:
- Robotics and so-called "physical AI" are growing rapidly here. The combination of artificial intelligence and advanced robotics is changing both industry and everyday life. The race between the US and China is intense, and Sweden needs to find its own role and position in the development.
- Space is another area that feels very present. It is not only about satellites and exploration, but also about new applications in communication, climate data and security. In addition, new business models are coming with collaboration between private and state capital, “new space”. Here Sweden has both expertise and advantages that can be developed in collaboration with American actors.
- One field that is currently on the rise is neurotechnology. It is the borderland between brain and machine, where AI, sensors and medical technology meet. The ambitions are high, both in terms of understanding and enhancing human abilities and treating diseases. Sweden could take a central position here, for example in ethical regulations.
Fast, generous and forward-looking networks inspire
What is specific about "the Silicon Valley mindset"? Why should we in Sweden learn it?
– Network and speed, Moa answers. Every mingle conversation ends with you connecting on LinkedIn, and a few hours later you get a follow-up chat with suggestions for the next step to explore sharp potential collaborations. If you don't respond right away, that contact is lost. There is more focus on where you want to go than where you have been, but relationships are crucial, which is why it is important to have contact areas back in Sweden's ecosystem to connect interested collaboration actors with.
– Americans are incredible at building and maintaining ecosystems and networks, Inger continues. Relationships do not end but are characterized by 'pay it forward'. Alumni networks and donation programs are connected to all schools, football teams, incubators and so on. Proud bumper stickers on the car show both belonging and investments, to the benefit of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
Americans are incredible at building and maintaining ecosystems and networks, relationships never end but are characterized by 'pay it forward'.
What do you think actors in Silicon Valley can learn from us in the Nordic countries? What is our contribution?
– One clear perspective we can contribute is sustainability, which is conspicuously absent. The green transition is discussed at the state level, but in everyday life it is barely noticeable. Waste is sorted, but with unclear rules where plastic, glass and metal end up in the same container. Electric cars and organic food are seen everywhere, but consumption continues without any major thought about sustainability. Being able to combine sustainability thinking with Silicon Valley's ability to develop innovative companies is an incredible opportunity for social benefit – not only for Sweden and the Nordic countries but for the world, believes Joakim.
– We can also contribute with a different picture of what it means to work in Sweden, says Inger. When a researcher at the top university Stanford is thinking about coming to Sweden, interest usually cools off quickly when the salary level is mentioned. But when you add everything else, such as free healthcare, free education, reasonable housing costs, public access, vacation, parental leave and a functioning work-life balance, the picture becomes completely different. That perspective often arouses both curiosity and admiration here. The Swedish system of teacher exemptions – where teachers and researchers themselves own the rights to their materials, results and patents – is another factor that can attract.
Being able to combine Swedish sustainability thinking with Silicon Valley's ability to develop innovative companies is an incredible opportunity for social benefit.
What is the investment climate for Swedish and Nordic innovations like right now, what are investors looking for?
– The investment climate in Silicon Valley remains selective, with clear signs of recovery after a couple of years of caution, says Moa. AI development has really accelerated and capital is following suit by increasingly concentrating on AI. Of every dollar invested, USD 0.93 today goes to AI, according to a recent report release from Mind The Bridge. She continues:
– Compared to Sweden, investment in the US often involves larger sums as entry checks, but investors also expect between 10 and 50 times that investment upon exit. Compared to how it was a few months ago, AI startup solutions are now much easier to copy, which makes "speed and growth at all costs" more fundamental than ever. It will then be interesting to ask how we can combine Sweden's sustainability thinking with Silicon Valley's speed – if we can transfer the speed to AI for good, we will get a synergy that will benefit many more people.
What's happening right now?
During the autumn there are several calls for proposals where Swedish actors can apply for funding for project or individual mobility.
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Last updated 23 October 2025