THINGS: Sweden’s first hardware hub to open in Stockholm

THINGS: Sweden’s first hardware hub to open in Stockholm

Officially opening its doors on 26th March 2015, Stockholm-based THINGS is Sweden’s first co-working space for hardware startups, focusing on high growth areas such as the Internet of Things, wearables, 3D scanning and printing, and medtech.

Initiated by STING, the incubator that also initiated the start of SUP46 (Stockholm’s central co-working space for digital start-ups), THINGS brings together start-ups and industry partners in a uniquely collaborative environment.  Official industry partners such as ABB, ASSA ABLOY, Husqvarna, NCC and SEB gain close access to entrepreneurs at THINGS (and vice versa).

This creates a symbiotic relationship that often provides inspiration for an established organisation’s own innovation processes, and can help find solutions to existing development problems or needs on both sides. A wide range of relevant technology and service partners including Cisco and TeliaSonera will also play a significant role at THINGS.

“THINGS is an independent player: it’s not owned by investors or a production company, which makes it different from other hardware hubs around the world”

Located in a specially customised 2000sqm house on the campus of KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, THINGS offers space for 30 startups (referred to as members). The shared working environment encompasses event space, meeting rooms, an in-house workshop providing laser cutters and 3D printers, as well as access to specialised equipment via official academic partners such as KTH, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden and Akademiska Hus. THINGS offers startups unparalleled facilities for developing prototypes, and significant opportunities to build local and global networks to help expedite international expansion.

− THINGS is an independent player: it’s not owned by investors or a production company, which makes it different from other hardware hubs around the world. The availability of machines to develop and test prototypes opens up fantastic opportunities, and the close involvement from our industry partners is also unique: in addition to gaining access to the startups, industrial partners get a new kind of arena in which to network with each other, says Pär Hedberg, founder and CEO of STING and initiator of THINGS.

Hosting regular events for the hardware community as well as offering flexible shared working space and development opportunities, THINGS is a hub for innovation. Other benefits for startups involved with THINGS include access to an established network of investors, external services and manufacturers. As such, THINGS has become a Nordic hub for hardware innovation to match Highway1 and Lab IX in San Francisco.

“Scandinavian design has an international reputation for sleek functionality and a clean aesthetic”

− Scandinavian design has an international reputation for sleek functionality and a clean aesthetic. At THINGS, we bring together engineering and design in a very Swedish way, but for an international market – connecting some of the most innovative individuals and companies in the world. Following in the footsteps of Electrolux, Ericsson, and Hasselblad amongst others, THINGS is nurturing the next generation of technology and hardware success stories, Linda Krondahl, CEO of THINGS.