We’re kicking off the year 2026 with our first Startup Grind fireside chat: and a conversation focused on Sweden’s growing role in the global innovation ecosystem.

Sweden has long been known for strong startups and technical excellence. But how do you turn a successful local ecosystem into a global innovation hub that attracts founders, investors, corporations, and talent from around the world?

In this fireside chat, Omid Ekhlasi, CEO & Founder of Techarena, joins Startup Grind Nordics to share firsthand insights from building one of Scandinavia’s most influential innovation platforms.

From international partnerships and ecosystem-building to scaling events and communities globally, Omid will unpack what it takes to “bring the world to Sweden” — and why platforms matter in shaping the future of innovation.

We’ll explore:
🌍 What makes an ecosystem globally competitive
🤝 How to attract international founders, investors, and partners
🚀 The role of events and platforms in global innovation
🏙️ Lessons from scaling Techarena into a world-class tech gathering
💡 What’s next for Sweden on the global innovation map

Whether you’re a founder, investor, policymaker, or ecosystem builder, this conversation offers valuable insights into how Sweden can harness global innovation to create local impact.

The session will be moderated by Naimul Abd – Regional Director Nordics at Startup Grind, CEO at Connect East, SweBAN, Nutty Ventures, and BRIM, and Nordics lead for Founder Institute and Founders Live.