Hotspot for innovation

In Västra Götaland, Gothenburg’s county, 35% of Sweden’s private-sector research and development (R&D) investments take place - the highest in the country. In 2023, businesses here invested SEK 58.6 billion in R&D, and the R&D intensity was twice as high as in Stockholm County and Sweden as a whole. 

The business community in Gothenburg has successfully, over a long period of time, turned scientific progress into world-leading innovations. Products with significant intellectual content, exported to the global market. Climate change and disruptive progress, like AI, are now triggering large investments in areas such as mobility, tech, life science and sustainable transition.

Spearheaded by Volvo Group, Astra Zeneca and Volvo Cars you find research intense companies in all sectors, of all sizes. Ericsson, Geely, Zeekr, SKF, Preem, Nouryon, Essity, Stena, Saab and Getinge are some of them. 

Strong supply of highly skilled people

Enablers for this knowledge-based economy are Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg. They combine excellent science and arts with outstanding collaborative capabilities and venture creation, especially in deep tech. These institutions attract international and national talent and drive an impressive supply of qualified competence.

The share of engineers and natural scientists is much higher among the workforce in the Gothenburg region compared to other metropolitan regions in Sweden. Additionally, RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) is headquartered in the centre of Lindholmen Science Park, Sweden’s largest and most successful arena for open innovation.

Find out more about Gothenburg´s research and and innovation ecosystem

Testbeds are a cornerstone of Gothenburg’s innovation strategy, allowing companies to trial new solutions in real-world, lab and simulated environments. 

Did you know that we host more testbeds than any other region in Sweden? Find out more about Testbeds in Gothenburg 

Gothenburg is a driving force in Sweden’s innovation landscape, and Sweden itself ranks among the world’s most innovative nations. With a commitment to research and development (R&D) that invests 3.4% of GDP—one of the highest globally—Sweden is a global leader in innovation.

Gothenburg’s role in Sweden’s innovation ecosystem

Sweden’s innovation ecosystem is enhanced by over 100 testbeds, with 60 in the Gothenburg region. These testbeds provide real-world environments for scaling new technologies, and the region’s innovation clusters bring together start-ups, industry leaders, and researchers to drive breakthroughs across multiple sectors.

A highly educated, tech-savvy population supports Sweden’s digital transformation, creating a fertile environment for start-ups and fostering innovation in Gothenburg.

Innovation and sustainability in Europe

Gothenburg’s influence extends beyond Sweden, contributing to Europe’s rise as a global innovation leader. The European Green Deal is accelerating the development of green technologies and climate-neutral solutions, with Gothenburg at the forefront of these efforts.

The European entrepreneurial landscape is expanding, supported by initiatives like the European Innovation Act that promote collaboration across businesses, academia, and public institutions. Gothenburg plays a key role in shaping this collaborative innovation.

Gothenburg: your destination for innovation

Combining strong regional strengths with European partnerships, Gothenburg is shaping a sustainable, innovative future on a global scale. The city offers the ideal environment for those seeking to innovate, collaborate, and grow in green technology and other cutting-edge sectors.

Gothenburg’s dynamic ecosystem is powering leading global companies. 

Here are some examples:

• Volvo Group: one of the world's biggest truck manufacturers, driving the sustainable transport transition, has its global headquarters and major development operations in the city.
• Volvo Cars also has its global headquarter in Gothenburg, which serves as the company's motor for innovation. It is the region's largest private employer employing over 16,000 people in the region.
• AstraZeneca: The pharmaceutical giant has one of its strategic R&D hubs in Gothenburg, where it puts around one quarter of its R&D investments.
• Geely: Gothenburg serves as the headquarters and development engine for its brands Polestar, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co. Geely's Uni3 Campus serves as a hub for innovation.
• SAAB: A leading aerospace and defence company with major R&D operations in Gothenburg.
• Mölnlycke Health Care: A leading medical solutions company with its global headquarters and key R&D site at GoCo Health Innovation City in Gothenburg.
• SKF: Gothenburg is where it all started for the global bearing giant in 1907. Gothenburg remains home of the global headquarter and a vital site for among other things its innovation and development.