What is an Investment Lighthouse
Investment Lighthouses are platforms driven by Business Angel Networks (BANs) aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration. They facilitate access to curated startups, provide essential resources, ensure regulatory compliance, and sustain success in the European financing ecosystem.
Who is it for?
Investment Lighthouses are designed for investors seeking high-quality opportunities and startups looking for funding and support. They also benefit BANs aiming to expand their networks and enhance investment activities.
What are Investment Lighthouses for?
– Facilitate access to curated dealflow and opportunities.
– Engage in events and forums to build relationships and share knowledge.
– Connect with a diverse and robust network of stakeholders.
– Stay informed about the regulatory landscape and gain access valuable
Sweden has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most vibrant and innovative startup ecosystems. The country continues to produce internationally renowned companies like Spotify, Klarna, iZettle, Voi, and Mentimeter.
This strong track record is no accident. Sweden’s success stems from a mix of world-class research institutions (e.g., KTH, Chalmers, Lund University), an advanced digital infrastructure, a culture of early tech adoption, and a collaborative innovation environment spanning from Malmö to Kiruna.
Today, Swedish startups are leading new frontiers in deeptech, climate tech, impact ventures, digital health, and AI. Rising stars like Lovable (AI) and Einride (mobility) and ecosystem entities like Norrsken Foundation (impact) reflect the country’s positioning as the home of innovation and impact.
In 2024, the Swedish early-stage investment ecosystem entered a new phase with the launch of SweBAN (Swedish Business Angel Network)—a national non-profit federation uniting regional angel networks and investor groups across the country.
SweBAN operates as an integrator and catalyst within Sweden’s angel investing landscape. By connecting business angels, syndicates, and angel-backed funds under one umbrella, SweBAN strengthens national coordination, fosters collaboration, and opens Sweden’s deal flow to cross-border co-investment.
SweBAN is more than a network. We are a network of networks, accelerating the development and growth of business angel networks (BANs) across Sweden.
SweBAN also serves as a vital bridge between Sweden’s innovation economy and the broader European investment ecosystem through close collaboration with EBAN and other partners.
“SweBAN launch event brought together the Nordic ecosystem”
“Fireside chat featuring Andreas Grape (CEO, Nordic Angels) and Naimul Abd (CEO, SweBAN) at the launch of SweBAN”
SweBAN does not source startups directly nor has an angel network of its own. Its role is integrative when it comes to angel networks. These networks have their own deal flow.
How Deal Flow Works:
– Startup Sourcing: Each angel network curates its own startup deal flow.
– Pitch Events: Monthly or quarterly events are organized by active networks like Connect Öst, featuring vetted startups. Others hold quarterly pitch events or direct deal sourcing.
– Matchmaking: Regular investor-startup matchmaking events are organized by angel networks, VCs, accelerators, and ecosystem players (including banks).
– Syndication: Angel syndication is a growing trend, combining capital, skills, and networks.
– Deal Platforms: Many BANs use platforms like Dealum for startup screening and investor engagement.
– Incubator & Accelerator Ties: SweBAN member networks actively collaborate with top incubators and accelerators. Importantly, notable accelerators including Arctic Business, Blekinge Business Incubator, Företagsfabriken, GU Ventures, Hetch, Ideon Innovation, Kalmar Science Park, Krinova, Minc, Sting, SmiLe, and Uppsala Innovation Centre have their own angel networks as well.
– Super Angels: Influential investors like Lars Lindgren (author of Mitt liv som affärsängel) play a key role in sharing investment knowledge and building deal ecosystems.
“Lars Lindgren received the Most Active Angel award at Angel Prize 2024. He is considered Sweden’s most active angel investor with over 80 investment, having founded SVCA and DHS Venture Partners, and now written Mitt Liv som Affärsangel”
“SweBAN x NorBAN meeting on joint funding featuring: Svein-Magnus Sørensen and Rita Ansonfrom NorBAN and Christine Bjärkby and Naimul Abd from SweBAN.”
“SweBAN arranged the first BANs x VCs mixer in April 2025”
“Christine Bjärkby (Board Member, SweBAN) receiving the Best Performing New EBAN Member 2025 award for SweBAN at the EBAN Congress 2025.”
SweBAN helps foster deep connections through a combination of national, regional, and member-led events:
– SweBAN Talks (Monthly): Fireside chats with leading voices in angel investing across Sweden and the Nordics.
– SweBAN Pitch Days (Bi-annual): Launching October 2025—these events will showcase startups curated from across SweBAN’s member networks.
– BANs x VCs Mixers: Matchmaking events connecting angel networks with early-stage VC firms.
– Member-led Events: SweBAN supports flagship events organized by members, such as Nordic Funding Day and Stockholm Demo Day (Connect Öst).
– Regional Collaborations: In October, SweBAN is co-hosting the North-Atlantic Angel Summit, strengthening ties across the Nordics and beyond.
SweBAN is building a growing library of tools and resources to support the launch and growth of business angel networks across Sweden.
– Sharing EBAN resources and templates across our member base
– Hosting peer-learning sessions (SweBAN Talks) with BANs.
“SweBAN and our founding member Connect Öst welcomed the Connect2Scale delegation in 2024 to Stockholm. In this picture, EstBAN explains the angel network and the project.”
SweBAN connects over 1,000 business angels through its member networks and affiliates. Here are a few highlights:
– Connect Öst: A founding member of SweBAN and part of a nationwide Connect ecosystem. Known for its impact-tech investment readiness program, monthly pitch events, and high-profile initiatives under its Connect X initiative.
– STOAF: One of Sweden’s most professionalized angel groups, investing through the STOAF III SciTech fund with a deep focus on deeptech and IP-heavy startups.
– VastAF (Västkustens Affärsänglar): Based in Gothenburg with more than a decade of experience investing across sectors such as IoT, life sciences, energy, real estate, and engineering.
SweBAN is your gateway to the Swedish angel investment and startup ecosystem.
– International BANs and federations
– Venture capital firms
– Public innovation agencies
– Universities and accelerators
– Private and institutional co-investors
To explore partnership or co-investment opportunities:
Naimul Abd CEO, SweBAN
naimul.abd@connectsverige.se
