In a world where geopolitical tensions are escalating, Linköping has positioned itself at the heart of civil-military innovation. This week’s Science Park Update AW event gathered some of the region’s most promising tech companies, government representatives, and thought leaders to discuss the intersection of innovation, defence, and societal resilience.
The event, moderated by Linköping Science Park’s CEO, Lena Miranda, featured three panels comprising leading entrepreneurs and experts. The discussions highlighted Sweden’s growing role in defence innovation, the necessity of rapid technological adaptation, and the unique strengths of the East Sweden region in fostering defence-related innovation. While the concentration of expertise and industry in East Sweden is undeniable, these efforts are national in scope and designed to strengthen Sweden’s overall defence and technological edge. Innovation knows no regional boundaries, and the initiatives discussed are open to collaboration with partners across the country, ensuring that Sweden as a whole benefits from advancements in security and resilience.
Emerging defence tech startups
The first panel brought together Niklas Boman, Founder and CEO of Seapattern; Carl Wikström, Co-founder of Synclair Vision; and Torkel Danielsson, Co-founder of Voysys—three of the fifteen companies participating in Sweden’s accelerator program for civil-military synergies, led by our incubator LEAD. Their focus? Leveraging their cutting-edge technologies to enhance national security.
Danielsson noted the shifting nature of warfare: “The war in Ukraine has shown us that modern conflicts are largely remote-controlled. Our solutions are world-leading in this area.”
Boman shared insights into the necessity of preemptive resilience: “It’s one thing to build up defence capabilities before a conflict. It’s something else entirely to do so while in the middle of one.” His company, Seapattern, is working on energy resilience, a critical concern given that 80% of a nation’s electricity is typically supplied by just 200 facilities—a key vulnerability in wartime.
Despite the promise of new technologies, the panel acknowledged the hurdles startups face entering the defence sector, including strict documentation and security requirements. Yet, as Wikström pointed out, simply being part of the accelerator program gives companies credibility in an industry where trust is paramount.
Strategic resilience in an unstable world
The second panel focused on broader strategic resilience, featuring Jessica Öberg, CEO of Combitech, and Magnus Skogberg, CEO of Sectra Communications. The conversation underscored Sweden’s historical expertise in defence and security, spanning everything from cybersecurity to telecommunications and critical infrastructure.
Torkel Danielsson, Co-founder of Voysys, Niklas Boman, Founder and CEO of Seapattern; and Carl Wikström, Co-founder of Synclair Vision
“Resilience in critical societal functions is essential,” Skogberg emphasized. “We must understand not just where we are headed but also the gravity of our current situation.”
Öberg pointed to lessons from Ukraine: “After three years, their determination to fight remains unshaken. That kind of hope is crucial.” She also highlighted Combitech’s long-standing work in total defence, mining, and telecommunications—sectors that have become even more strategically important given the current geopolitical landscape.
Innovation at speed: A regional strength
The third panel featured Catharina Sandberg, CEO of startup incubator LEAD, and Daniel Kullgard from Linköping Science Park, who discussed how to accelerate innovation processes in the region to ensure Sweden remains at the forefront of defence and security technology.
Sandberg noted that Östergötland has a distinct advantage thanks to its concentration of both large, established defence firms and agile startups. “It’s crucial that processes support smaller companies. Speed matters.”
Kullgard addressed a common industry frustration: “Everyone says things move too slowly, but few specify what exactly is slow. What should we be speeding up?” He advocated building long-term structures that ensure technological readiness rather than merely stockpiling outdated defence equipment.
This year, Sofia Hallman och Axel Larsson completed the the LEAD-run Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program, which helps validate tech ideas and establish new businesses.
With financial backing from Linköping and Norrköping municipalities, as well as Region Östergötland, the region is set to establish a program office to coordinate its civil-military innovation initiatives. Kullgard framed it as an effort to ensure Sweden’s long-term resilience: “When the moment comes, we need structures in place so that decisions don’t require unnecessary explanation. It should be self-evident what we do and why.”
Fostering entrepreneurial talent
The event concluded with a graduation ceremony for participants in the LEAD-run Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program, which helps validate tech ideas and establish new businesses. This year, Sofia Hallman och Axel Larsson completed the program, marking the eighth successful iteration of the initiative.
As the formal discussions wrapped up, attendees moved on to informal networking, with the next Science Park Update event already on the horizon. Scheduled for April 10, the focus will shift to the semiconductor industry—another sector vital to Sweden’s technological and security ambitions.
Upcoming events
For those looking to stay engaged with Sweden’s thriving tech and defence innovation landscape, several upcoming events provide valuable opportunities for networking and knowledge-sharing:
- Cybersecurity: Threat landscape for Sweden (March 19, 2025) – A deep dive into the evolving cyber threats facing Sweden and strategies for resilience. More info
- Techregionen (May 14, 2025) – A gathering for stakeholders in Sweden’s tech ecosystem to discuss innovation, collaboration, and future trends. More info
- Demonstration Week 2025 (September 15-19, 2025) – A premier showcase of cutting-edge defence technologies. More info
These events provide essential forums for collaboration and exchange, ensuring that Sweden remains at the forefront of global technology and security development.
