In the midst of trade policy unrest, tariff threats and tough economic times, a cautious optimism can be seen when it comes to new entrepreneurship after the number of start-ups plummeted a few years ago.
In Sweden, new entrepreneurship increased during the past year, when 70,628 new companies were started. The corresponding number was 65,050 the year before, according to the authority Tillväxtanalys.
There is a slightly greater faith in the future now than during the dark time around 2023, says Jimmy Mannung, press chief at the organization Företagarna.
Not granted loans
On the other hand, banks are generally cautious about giving loans to entrepreneurs in the phase where they are developing and growing. The banks' lending to small and medium-sized enterprises is significantly lower than to households and larger companies, according to Företagarna, even though the recent rate hikes have led to more small businesses being granted bank loans than in a long time.
But it's usually very difficult for companies to get bank loans. Many times they mortgage their private property to get loans, which we usually advise against, says Jimmy Mannung.
Stops in growth phase
It's often about companies that are already established and well-known locally, but need bank loans to develop, he means.
A store may want to expand or invest in e-commerce to survive in the long term, and a workshop may need new machines.
That's where it often stops because the company doesn't have capital and doesn't get loans, says Jimmy Mannung.
In order for the banks not to be outmaneuvered by smaller players who more easily grant loans to sole proprietors, they must adapt their terms, he believes.
Financing mortgages is safe. But if you want to be part of the growth in Sweden, you have to finance slightly more uncertain things, he says.
Facts: New entrepreneurship is on the rise again
TT
During the past year 2024, more than 70,628 new companies were started in Sweden. The corresponding figure the year before 2023 was 65,050. During the pandemic year 2021, the number of new start-ups was 78,690, while the corresponding number the following year dropped to 73,182 (2022). During the first quarter of 2025, the number of new companies increased in ten industries compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Seen in terms of the number of start-ups, the most new companies were started in the retail industry, except for motor vehicles, followed by legal and economic consulting and construction and civil engineering.
Just under four percent of all lent capital from banks and credit institutions goes to small and medium-sized enterprises, when you exclude loans to real estate companies and housing associations.
Sources: The authority Tillväxtanalys, Företagarna and Ekonomifakta.
