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Six reasons to include a Stockholmer in your digital circle

Your personal relationships are vital – in your career and in life. In fact, they actively shape who you are; the motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously asserted that “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”.

Six reasons to include a Stockholmer in your digital circle
Photos: Karola Kassai/Natalia Brzezinski

In 2020, we’re all spending more time on video calls and digital communications and less on face-to-face conversations. But who should you stay connected with during these challenging times and why?

The Local spoke to Natalia Brzezinski, former CEO of the Stockholm-based tech conference Brilliant Minds and Symposium Stockholm, and Karola Kassai, CEO of KassaiLaw, an innovation and technology lawyerand business strategist, who does business in Stockholm and elsewhere in Europe.

With their insights into the culture and values of the city, we present six reasons you should definitely include a Stockholmer in your digital circle.

Find our more about one of the world’s most innovative tech hubs from Invest Stockholm 

1. To be listened to as an equal!

In a world this busy, it’s easy to feel your voice is drowned out. In many places, high expectations when it comes to equality are not reflected by reality.

So, what’s the international view of Stockholm? “Unlike anywhere else in the world, Swedish culture is radically egalitarian, rejects titles and faux hierarchies, and embraces consensus and collaboration,” says Brzezinski, who lived in the city from 2011 to 2014 while her husband served as US Ambassador to Sweden.

“Teams are empowered over the individual or ‘hero’ founder cult of personality we have in Silicon Valley,” she continues. “Humility is intrinsically woven into the spirit of things.”

Kassai began working in Stockholm in 2017, having previously been based in Germany and her native Hungary. “In life, it’s more common to meet bosses than leaders,” she says. “But in Stockholm, leadership is about encouraging everyone to share their views and making sure they’re listened to. In the internet age, competence and skills aren’t necessarily related to your age or how many universities you went to and Stockholm understands this, promoting flat organisational cultures.”

2. To tap into a friendly innovation ecosystem

Before moving to Stockholm, Kassai says she had thought the locals would be difficult to engage with. But she was soon pleasantly surprised. “The atmosphere is really inspiring,” she says. “People are friendly and they want to genuinely understand you and what you’re doing professionally.” 

That means once you have an introduction into the ecosystem, one connection can soon multiply into many.

Kassai’s interest in Stockholm was prompted by the city’s thriving tech and start-up scene. Her law firm, KassaiLaw, which offers specialist advice to start-ups and entrepreneurs, now has headquarters in Stockholm as well as Budapest. 

“We work with many startups all across Europe,” she says. “The ecosystem for innovation in Stockholm is superb. You get to work on the latest disruptive and cutting-edge ideas and with companies, where ‘changing the world’ is not just a cliché but can actually happen any day.” Indeed, Stockholm is now Europe’s third biggest fintech hub.

Looking to build your network? Find out how you could get connected to the Stockholm ecosystem

Brzezinski says Stockholm has “evolved a great deal” since she first arrived in the city. “Today, you have an amazing group of founders working actively to share their knowledge, networks, time and financial investment with the next generation of innovators,” she says. 

Photo: Natalia Brzezinski

3. To feel the city’s invigorating optimism …

Brzezinski is a board member at Norrsken Foundation, the Stockholm-based non-profit impact hub. She describes it as “one of the most amazing epicentres and creative hubs for young entrepreneurs”.

Brzezinski recalls Norrsken founder Niklas Adalberth taking her to the construction site where he planned to build the incubator. “The fire and energy in his eyes to pay it forward with his time and money to help other impact founders was unbelievable!” she says. 

Kassai says the city’s energy and competitive spirit provides inspiration for ambitious entrepreneurs to keep pushing themselves. “It’s really challenging from a professional perspective and makes you want to constantly do better,” she says.

4. …  and its focus on real world impact 

Ambition is one thing. But what about results? With a small home market, Swedish companies have an incentive to look abroad and many Stockholm-based companies are having a huge global impact. 

Examples include Sana Labs, the education tech startup using AI to enhance learning, and Klarna, the fintech giant, where Brzezinski is now Head of Strategy for the US market.

“In Norrsken, we see the most amazing impact entrepreneurs solving problems across food waste, health, medicine, energy and mental health,” she says. “I think Stockholm is poised to lead the way for the world across many sectors for a long time to come.”

She also praised Swedish families such as the Wallenbergs for their “long-term focus and generosity” in supporting local businesses. “I’ve advised a few other European cities recently and not yet found a place where the major family owners and successful founders invest so much at home,” she says.

5. To help you appreciate what matters most

Feeling inspired in the work you do is a blessing. But life isn’t all about work. This is well-recognised in Sweden, where families benefit from generous amounts of paid parental leave and childcare is highly affordable.

“This allows society to maximise the entire population’s creativity,” says Brzezinski, who adds that she raised her daughter in Stockholm with Swedish values. “I also came into my own as a woman and leader with the values and lessons I learned there.” Remembering Barack Obama’s official visit to Sweden as US president in 2013, she says: “He basically said the world would be a better place if people were more like the Swedes.” 

Photos: Karola Kassai/Natalia Brzezinski with Barack Obama

For Kassai, Stockholm offers the chance to share in “a culture of appreciation”. “Coming here has strengthened my belief in how I see things and how I lead my company and team, whereas in my own region my concepts and expectations didn’t really fit in,” she says.

6. To share in a positive vision of the future

Disruption is one of the biggest buzzwords of recent years. But how can we be sure that disruptors are creating a better future?

In an ever more complex world, Kassai admires the emphasis in Stockholm on using disruptive technologies to “simplify people’s lives” – and people’s willingness to move with the times. “Stockholmers are very open to progress,” she says. “It’s a great place to tap into if you’re a business in need of early adopters.” 

Brzezinski says this has already been proven true in banking, finance and technology, whereas in the US she says “my husband still writes physical cheques!” 

More broadly, she says a commitment to equality, openness, science, and protecting both people and the environment shines through. “Stockholm is the future because of the nexus of creativity and values,” she says.

Interested in making new connections? Find out more about one of the most innovative tech scenes in the world – and how Invest Stockholm could help you or your business find new opportunities.

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FOOD AND DRINK

Stockholm nightlife: Seven cheap pubs and dive bars that are worth a visit

The Stockholm bar scene isn't just made up of expensive wine and fancy cocktails. There are also numerous pubs that may not make a 'best pubs in the capital' list, but are as budget friendly as they are laidback, and perfect for grabbing a beer without breaking the bank.

Stockholm nightlife: Seven cheap pubs and dive bars that are worth a visit

Going out to enjoy a meal and drink can be a very enjoyable experience, offering the chance to unwind and socialise. However, eating out or just going out for a beer can be expensive. Here are some of the more affordable bars and restaurants in Stockholm.

Hellströms

Hellströms Bar and Restaurant has a snug and welcoming atmosphere. They offer meals such as sandwiches, salads and burgers. They also have weekly offers, pasta nights on Monday and Tuesday nights, a fajita buffet on Wednesdays, burger and fries offer on Thursdays and a nacho buffet on Fridays.

Along with meal deals during the week they also have club 90, with music from the 90s from 8pm-1am on Wednesday night, a music quiz every Thursday and a pre-party from 10pm on Saturday. Finally, their afterwork promotion takes place every weekday between 3pm and 8pm.

The price of beer starts from 30 kronor ($2.90).

Find out more about their events here.

Location: Fatbursgatan 1, Stockholm

Crazy Horse and Black Elk

With three venues across Stockholm, the Crazy Horse is a lively and bustling bar. They offer a wide range of menu options, from snacks to burgers, fajitas, salads, fish and grilled dishes. It can get busy, so bear that in mind.

The cost of beer starts from 32 kronor, before 6pm.

More information can be found here.

Location: Sveavägen 60 & 61 and Götgatan 44, Stockholm

Lion Bar

This bar has a friendly and laid-back environment. With five locations in Stockholm, Sundbyberg, Vasastan, Sveavägen, Gärdet and Hornstull they feature a curated selection of dishes, which include fish and pork to burgers and steak. The post-work offer is available until 7pm from Monday to Friday.

Beer starts from 32 kronor, before 7pm.

More information can be found here.

Location: Tulegatan 7, Roslagsgatan 20, Sveavägen 74, Furusundsgatan 20 and Hornsgatan 154, Stockholm

The International Bar

Located in Östermalm, Gamla Stan and Birkastan, the International Bar is another favoured venue. The bar can be noisy, but it is a welcoming environment. Like many other bars, it has a broad food menu to choose from, which includes Swedish meatballs, fish and chips, burgers and pizzas.

They also have afterwork reduced rates from Monday to Friday between 3pm and 7pm. The bars also show sporting events, such as the Premier and Champions Leagues.

Cost of beer starts from 39 kronor.

Additional information can be found here.

Location: Norrlandsgatan 23, Mälartorget 13 and Rörstrandsgatan 11 Stockholm

Bara Enkelt & Bara Backe

The Baras group has eight venues across Stockholm and Uppsala, with Bara Enkelt and Bara Backe being popular spots.

The atmosphere in these bars is energetic and vibrant, especially on the weekend. Both bars offer a food menu, which includes snacks such as fries and halloumi sticks along with mains, including burgers and pasta dishes. Afterwork discounted prices are offered every day until 5pm.

Draft beer starts from 42 kronor.

Book a table or find more information here.

Location: Skånegatan 59 and Götgatan 33, Stockholm

Retro Bar

Another popular sports bar with a television screen at every corner, so you won’t miss any of the action. With an American-inspired food menu, they serve a range of burgers, stakes, pasta dishes, fajitas and salads. Their afterwork promotion is on until 6pm from Monday to Friday. When it comes to sports, they show matches from the Premier and Champions League to the NFL and more.

The cost of a beer starts from 54 kronor.

Book a table or find more information here.

Location: Sveavägen 120, Sveavägen 55, Sankt Eriksgatan 22, Hornsgatan 136 and Bondegatan 25, Stockholm

Flying Horse

If you are looking for a bar to watch football, the Flying Horse is a popular sports bar. When a football match is being screened, this bar has an exciting and dynamic atmosphere, offering a wide selection of food, from light bits, like sandwiches to main meals which includes burgers, fish, chicken and salads. The pub offers discounted prices on drinks for their afterwork deal from Monday to Friday until 6pm.

Due to the venue being a popular sports bar and it does fill up quickly, if you are planning on going it is recommended that you book in advance.

The cost of beer starts from 59 kronor.

Get more information on this bar here.

Location: Odengatan 44, Stockholm

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