Ten Skåne (Sweden) start-ups to watch in 2015

Source: thelocal.se


The city of Helsingborg in Skåne, southern Sweden. Photo: Shutterstock

Skåne, the southernmost region of Sweden, is bursting with brainwaves and is quickly becoming a hub for international innovation. Here are ten start-ups ready to change the world.

Did you know that every time you open a milk carton, you're experiencing your own little bit of Skåne magic? The first milk carton, the first artificial kidney, and even the first portable phone trace their roots back to southern Sweden.  

And the region's trend for ground-breaking ideas doesn't show any signs of stopping. Recent inventions include the invisible bicycle helmet, touchless cameras, and pyjamas which protect against bed-wetting.

So what’s does the future hold for this dynamic region? The Local talked with ten up-and-coming start-ups - all from Skåne, all ready to change the world.  

# 7:  Ekolution

An Ekolution shed med of hemp. Photo: Ekolution

It’s no secret that Sweden, like its other Nordic neighbours, is keen on being green. The environment and sustainability are top concerns for many Swedes

Which is why Remi Loren started building houses from hemp.

“I’ve always been very interested in sustainable materials and social responsibility,” Loren, whose background is in economy and marketing, told The Local.

After reading a book about hemp and textiles, Loren’s interest for the material kept growing. He read that the plant could be used as a building material – and began learning how at a hemp conference in 2012.

Irish "pioneer of hemp building" Steve Allin held a course, and Loren was inspired more than ever.

“We built a 10 square metre shed from hemp in just three days,” Loren recalled.

“It’s easy to build with, and also safe for your health, works for those with asthma and allergies, it’s sustainable, mold and fire resistant… there’s a whole checklist.”

Today, Loren is the founder of two companies – Ekolution, which has developed hemp-building techniques and materials, and HampaHus, which employs engineers and architects to create actual housing designs using hemp construction.

“All of the companies in the world have the same supplier: nature,” Loren explained. “So our goal is to work with nature, not against it. We are aiming for a sustainable, durable, circular economy.”

Loren said that the support his company received from incubators in the region was priceless.

“Skåne’s economy is very focused on innovation,” he said. “You get a lot of support and a lot of room to grow.”