Ask HN: Stockholm Startups?

#1

Post by dsimard » Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 11:23 AM UTC

I recently moved to Stockholm for my wife's job. I'd like to work at a startup, and I've heard that there's supposed to be a decent community for that here (not like the valley, but better than most places). However, I'm starting from zero, with no network of people to talk to. I'm learning how easy it is to feel lost in a new country.

So, does anybody know of any good startups here? Or any communities I should try to get involved with?

Re: Ask HN: Stockholm Startups?

#2

Post by willmacdonald » Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 11:39 AM UTC

I'd love to find to startup or developer communities here too. Do you speak Swedish ? I'd feel a bit awkward going to some meeting and being one of the few people who don't speak Swedish. I moved to Stockholm a couple of years ago but haven't had a chance to do any searching yet, busy with babies.

Re: Ask HN: Stockholm Startups?

#3

Post by unwind » Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 11:42 AM UTC

Not a startup recommendation, but if you're not aware of http://www.thelocal.se/, you probably should be. :)

It's a news site in English, and has what seems to be a quite lively forum section, which might be a good place to ask, too.

Re: Ask HN: Stockholm Startups?

#4

Post by Feeble » Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 11:44 AM UTC

What are your skills? What type of business areas are you interested in?

Re: Ask HN: Stockholm Startups?

#5

Post by mmelin » Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 11:46 AM UTC

One big thing that's happening soon is 24 hour business camp in late October. The event is already full (120 participants) but there will probably be an after-party the weekend after the event where you can build your network. edit: link for that is http://www.24hbc.com/

Mattias Swenson of Bloglovin maintains a Ning network at http://swedishstartups.ning.com/ - it's not extremely active but if you sign up for a membership you'll get emails when new stuff happens, mostly in Stockholm but also in the rest of Sweden.

I'm in Stockholm, feel free to drop me an email (contact info in profile) if you'd like to chat or have any questions. Welcome and gear up for the coming winter ;)

Re: Ask HN: Stockholm Startups?

#6

Post by lukego » Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 11:48 AM UTC

The Erlang community has historically spawned a lot of interesting startups in Stockholm (Bluetail, Synapse, Kreditor, tail-f, Mobile Arts, ...). There are pub nights.

Re: Ask HN: Stockholm Startups?

#7

Post by dsimard » Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 11:56 AM UTC

willmacdonald wrote: post #2

I'd love to find to startup or developer communities here too. Do you speak Swedish ? I'd feel a bit awkward going to some meeting and being one of the few people who don't speak Swedish. I moved to Stockholm a couple of years ago but haven't had a chance to do any searching yet, busy with babies.

I'm learning fast, but it'll be a while before I'm really comfortable with it. Every time I think I'm getting good somebody will say something that sounds to me like a long unparsable stream of borka-borka like the swedish chef and I'll get all depressed about my progress for a couple of days. :)

Rumor has it that most of this kind of work is done in English, which would help. I haven't been able to verify that yet though.

Anyway, maybe we can help each other out. Email me if you feel like it. It's a gmail account and I'm "davesimard".

Re: Ask HN: Stockholm Startups?

#8

Post by willmacdonald » Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 11:59 AM UTC

dsimard wrote: post #7

willmacdonald wrote: post #2

I'd love to find to startup or developer communities here too. Do you speak Swedish ? I'd feel a bit awkward going to some meeting and being one of the few people who don't speak Swedish. I moved to Stockholm a couple of years ago but haven't had a chance to do any searching yet, busy with babies.

I'm learning fast, but it'll be a while before I'm really comfortable with it. Every time I think I'm getting good somebody will say something that sounds to me like a long unparsable stream of borka-borka like the swedish chef and I'll get all depressed about my progress for a couple of days. :) Rumor has it that most of this kind of work is done in English, which would help. I haven't been able to verify that yet t…

I am self employed, and 99% my clients are in UK, so I speak English all day. When I'm at home I need to to speak English with my children so they learn some English. I have trouble finding any time to learn Swedish.

Re: Ask HN: Stockholm Startups?

#9

Post by enra » Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 12:00 PM UTC

Check out http://www.arcticstartup.com/ and our index of Swedish startups http://www.arcticindex.com/companies?search[country_id]=1

Re: Ask HN: Stockholm Startups?

#10

Post by mmelin » Thu, Oct 01, 2009, 12:14 PM UTC

dsimard wrote: post #7

willmacdonald wrote: post #2

I'd love to find to startup or developer communities here too. Do you speak Swedish ? I'd feel a bit awkward going to some meeting and being one of the few people who don't speak Swedish. I moved to Stockholm a couple of years ago but haven't had a chance to do any searching yet, busy with babies.

I'm learning fast, but it'll be a while before I'm really comfortable with it. Every time I think I'm getting good somebody will say something that sounds to me like a long unparsable stream of borka-borka like the swedish chef and I'll get all depressed about my progress for a couple of days. :) Rumor has it that most of this kind of work is done in English, which would help. I haven't been able to verify that yet t…

People usually don't have a problem with switching to English if there are non-Swedes present, but otherwise Swedish is used. Some people have difficulty sticking to English but a helpful reminder usually does the trick.