Company Profile
Stockholm Science City Foundation
Profile date: 2025-01-04
Stockholm Science City Foundation (SSCi)
The Stockholm Science City Foundation (SSCi) is a non-profit, expert organization established in 1990 to strengthen the competitiveness of the life science and innovation ecosystem in the Stockholm-Uppsala region of Sweden. Operating as a neutral collaborative platform, the foundation acts as a bridge between three main pillars: academia, industry, and the public sector. Its primary mission is to foster an environment where high-tech research can be translated into societal benefits, focusing on health, medicine, and urban development.
Core Operations and Mission
Stockholm Science City works to attract businesses, talent, and capital to the region by identifying gaps in the innovation chain and connecting stakeholders who can address them. The foundation?s activities are rooted in "Triple Helix" collaboration, ensuring that the City of Stockholm, Region Stockholm, and leading universities (Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Stockholm University) are aligned in their growth strategies.
The foundation is instrumental in the development of Hagastaden, a world-class innovation district situated between Stockholm and Solna. This district is home to Karolinska University Hospital, SciLifeLab, and hundreds of life science companies, creating a dense cluster of expertise where clinical practice meets cutting-edge research.
Products and Services
As a foundational entity rather than a traditional manufacturing firm, Stockholm Science City provides specialized services that facilitate the growth of the life science sector.
1. Network Facilitation and Seminars
The foundation organizes high-level forums and seminars that serve as the primary meeting points for the region?s scientific and business communities. * The Future of Life Science Seminars: Regular events featuring panel discussions on emerging trends, such as precision medicine, digital health, and artificial intelligence in drug discovery. * Targeted Networking: Connecting startups with established global pharmaceutical companies (e.g., AstraZeneca, Pfizer) and specialized investors.
2. Environmental Scanning and Strategic Reports
SSCi conducts in-depth analysis of the life science landscape to provide stakeholders with actionable data. * Industry Mapping: The foundation maintains a comprehensive Life Science Map, an interactive tool that visualizes the distribution of biotech, medtech, and pharmaceutical companies in the region. * Trend Analysis Reports: Publishing insights on regional growth, the impact of sustainability on life science, and the implementation of precision health within the Swedish healthcare system. * The Life Science Barometer: A recurring survey and report that gauges the health and sentiment of leaders within the Stockholm life science cluster.
3. Business Establishment and Relocation Support
SSCi assists international and domestic companies looking to establish a presence in Stockholm, particularly within the Hagastaden district. * Ecosystem Guidance: Providing detailed information on available infrastructure, including specialized laboratories, co-working spaces, and clinical trial facilities. * Stakeholder Introduction: Acting as a "gatekeeper" to the region?s universities and hospitals, helping companies find the right academic partners for research and development.
4. Innovation Infrastructure Development
The foundation actively participates in projects aimed at making advanced research infrastructure accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). * Stockholm Life Tech: A strategic project designed to open up advanced development and production environments (such as those in Flemingsberg and Hagastaden) to smaller companies that would otherwise lack access to high-end lab facilities. * Urban Development Planning: Working alongside property owners and the City of Stockholm to ensure that urban planning in districts like Hagastaden meets the specific technical needs of life science companies (e.g., specialized ventilation for labs).
5. Communication and Branding
SSCi serves as the official voice for the Stockholm-Uppsala life science cluster on the global stage. * Monthly Perspective Newsletter: A monthly publication highlighting key players, topics, and breakthroughs within the innovation ecosystem. * Digital Platforms: Managing dedicated portals like Hagastaden.se to promote the district as a premier destination for global talent and investment.
Key Areas of Focus
While the foundation supports the entire life science spectrum, it places specific emphasis on areas that define the future of medicine:
- Precision Medicine: Facilitating the network between researchers at SciLifeLab and clinicians at Karolinska University Hospital to implement personalized diagnostic and treatment protocols.
- Digital Health: Bridging the gap between Stockholm's strong ICT sector and the traditional healthcare industry to drive innovation in medtech and data-driven life science.
- Sustainability: Promoting the "Sustainable Science City" concept, ensuring that the growth of the life science industry aligns with environmental and social sustainability goals.
Organizational Structure
The Stockholm Science City Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that includes representatives from: * Academia: Presidents and senior leadership from Karolinska Institutet (KI), KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Stockholm University (SU). * Public Sector: High-level officials from the City of Stockholm, the City of Solna, and Region Stockholm. * Industry: Leaders from the private sector who provide commercial perspectives on regional development.