The investor’s guide to Gothenburg
 – a region of opportunities

The Gothenburg region stands out as a premier destination for foreign investment, offering a vibrant market, robust ecosystem, and specialised areas of expertise. Discover why investing in Gothenburg is a strategic move for your business. Whether you are seeking to expand your market reach, tap into leading-edge research and development, or find a collaborative environment to grow your business, Gothenburg offers a compelling proposition.

Here we provide you with insight and guidance to help you with everything from scoping opportunities to building long-term success. 

1. Understanding the Gothenburg market, ecosystem and areas of expertise
2. Finding the right location
3. Grants and incentives
4. Choosing a company structure
5. Building your team and competence
6. Becoming part of the ecosystem

1. Understanding the Gothenburg market, ecosystem and areas of expertise

A hub for research and innovation

Gothenburg is a prominent hub for Swedish research and innovation, with businesses investing more in research and development (R&D) here than anywhere else in Sweden. The region is home to approximately SEK 45 billion in business R&D expenditure; a third of Sweden’s total R&D expenditure within the private sector is invested here.

Gothenburg is ranked the top science and technology cluster in the Nordics in terms of patents and publications per capita, and is an innovation leader in Europe. There are numerous testbed environments that encourage triple helix collaborations between businesses, academia, and public actors.

This strong R&D focus is driven by access to relevant expertise, a growing market, 60 testbeds, and strong industry clusters. The Gothenburg region’s commitment to R&D ensures that businesses here are well-positioned to develop and export leading innovations globally.

Read more about R&D in Gothenburg

2.Finding the right location

The Gothenburg region offers a variety of strategic locations tailored to different business needs. Understanding these options will help you pinpoint the ideal hub for your operations. 

Here is an overview of key business hubs:

Tech and mobility 

Lindholmen Innovation District is a hub for tech and mobility, with a focus on collaboration and innovation. It is a well-established area that hosts many events and opportunities for networking. Torslanda, surrounding Volvo Cars’ global headquarters, is another key location for the automotive industry. The area is undergoing significant development with the establishment of a new battery gigafactory and mobility innovation neighborhood.

Life science 

Medicinareberget is a central location for life science companies, offering proximity to research institutions and healthcare providers. It is part of the region’s strong ecosystem in life science. Just outside of the city, next to AstraZeneca's R&D site, GoCo Health Innovation City represents a major investment in the life science sector, with room for 350 companies and more than 7,000 employees. This area is designed to foster collaboration and innovation within the health sector.

Logistics 

The Port of Gothenburg is Scandinavia’s largest port and a critical logistics hub. It handles 20% of Sweden’s foreign trade and offers direct ocean freight services to 75 destinations, making it ideal for companies involved in international trade. Säve is another area near the port with logistical importance, offering new large land assets. Landvetter is an area near Gothenburg Landvetter Airport, with new large land assets suitable for logistics facilities.

Options for startups and scaleups 

The region provides innovative environments like The Yard and co-working spaces that are particularly suited for startups and scaleups, offering a collaborative and flexible setting that can help new companies grow.

Useful links:
Site Finder – a Business Sweden tool which allows you to explore available sites within the region
Gothenburg business facts and statistics (interactive tool)
Facts & Figures – provides general cost info for different parts of Gothenburg
Startup ecosystem - helps you navigate Gothenburg's startup ecoystem, including co-working spaces

3. Grants and incentives

The Gothenburg region and Sweden offer a range of grants and incentives designed to support business investment and growth. These incentives aim to lower operational costs, encourage innovation, and promote sustainable practices.

You may, for example, be eligible for R&D tax deduction. Sweden has implemented an incentive to stimulate R&D activities, which directly lowers monthly labor costs. The R&D work must be systematic, have a commercial purpose, and emphasize the creation of new knowledge or the significant improvement of existing products or processes.

There is also a tax relief scheme to help companies attract top international expertise. Foreign employees who are considered experts, researchers, or hold vital positions in a company may qualify for this tax break.

Other incentives include Green Industry Leap (Industriklivet), supporting reduced emissions from industrial operations, and Climate Leap (Klimatklivet), offering grants to companies to reduce their carbon footprint.

Our investment advisors can help you identify suitable grants and incentives for your specific situation and connect you with the right contacts and stakeholders. These incentives can significantly reduce your operational costs and support your growth in the Gothenburg region. 

Useful links:
Incentives Guide (pdf) – a good summary of incentives is on page 2 of this brochure
Tax Relief for Key Foreign Employees (pdf) – more info on this tax relief scheme

4. Choosing a company structure

When establishing a business in Sweden, foreign investors typically choose between two main business structures: a subsidiary (limited liability company), or a branch of a foreign company. The choice depends on several factors, including liability considerations, tax implications, and long-term strategic goals. The form most used is a limited liability company.

Good to know is that no Swedish partner is required to start a business in Sweden. The process of starting a business is straightforward and the system is transparent. However, it is important to establish whether a license is needed to carry out the business. 

Choosing the right company structure is a critical step in your investment journey. Our investment advisors can help you evaluate the pros and cons of each option based on your specific business needs. Contact us for personalized guidance and to ensure you choose the most appropriate structure for your long-term success in the Gothenburg region.

Useful links:
Start a company in Sweden – a guide from Business Sweden with practical advice
Starting a business in Sweden (pdf) – a thorough look at the process

5. Building your team and competence

Gothenburg stands as a leading center of knowledge and innovation. As a student city, it is home to nearly 65,000 students attending its two universities. The city is distinguished as the country’s most desirable for Swedish talent, earning the top spot in the Talent City Index Sweden (2024). It also serves as a global magnet, drawing around 10,000 foreign professionals each year to work with its companies and institutions. In addition, Gothenburg boasts the highest concentration of engineers and natural scientists among all metropolitan areas in Sweden.

Attracting and retaining talent is crucial for success in the Gothenburg region. There are a few things to consider when building a skilled and effective team:

• Sweden has clear rules for employment and redundancy. Collective bargaining agreements often supplement labour law and establish conditions based on industry or workplace needs. This is called “the Swedish Model”, and unions and employer organizations take joint responsibility for developing labor market regulations. It helps create a stable and predictable environment, where industrial disputes and conflicts are rare.
• International employees will need work and residence permits. There might also be benefits in recruiting talent locally. Local team members provide access to networks, customer insight, and understanding of the local business culture.
• A good idea is to make use of local resources. International House Gothenburg offers a “soft landing” for international employees and their families, providing free events, activities, and matchmaking services. Move to Gothenburg provides a website with comprehensive information for individuals relocating to the region, as well as digital tools and resources.
• By leveraging tax benefits, understanding the Swedish labor model, and utilizing local resources, you can attract and retain top talent in the Gothenburg region. 

Useful links:
Start a company in Sweden – describes rules on hiring, tax reliefs, and much more
Employing staff – contracts and conditions (pdf) – more info on contracts, terms and conditions
Work and residence permits and business entry visas (pdf) – brochure from Business Sweden
The Swedish Model – more about the unique Swedish labour system

Our investment advisors can provide you with further guidance and connect you to the necessary resources.
Get to know our Investment advisors

6. Becoming part of the ecosystem

Gothenburg is known for its open and collaborative environment, with a strong networking culture that can significantly benefit businesses looking to establish or expand in the region. The city and surrounding region offer numerous opportunities to connect with potential partners, customers, and industry leaders.
Lindholmen Science Park and Sahlgrenska Science Park are important innovation hubs that host many events in English and offer opportunities to build your network. GoCo Health Innovation City is a large innovation hub that also provides many opportunities to network.

Gothenburg is an event city, hosting numerous large conferences and fairs that provide excellent opportunities to gain industry insights and grow your business network. In 2025, Gothenburg will host the Electric Vehicle Symposium, the eHealth event Vitalis, and Nordic Life Science Days, among others.

Business Region Göteborg also offers many events and activities that provide valuable insights and facilitate networking. Some of these events are held in English, making them accessible to international businesses.

Becoming part of the Gothenburg ecosystem is crucial for long-term success in the region. By leveraging the established networks, attending relevant events, and engaging with industry-specific clusters, you can create valuable connections and establish a strong presence in the Gothenburg region. 

Useful links: 
Key sectors – relevant networks and meeting places can be found on our various key sector pages
Business networks and meeting places in Gothenburg – information in Swedish 
Gothenburg’s tech events and arenas – a curated event and arena list for tech startups and scaleups
Gothenburg region's tech calendar