Press release · 28 May 2026
Venture Cup Salutes the Visionaries of Tomorrow: Huge Congratulations to the 2026 SM i Ung Företagsamhet Winners!
Bridging the Gap to the Startup Ecosystem
As Sweden’s premier marketplace for early-stage startups and business ideas, Venture Cup views the achievements at SM i Ung Företagsamhet as a strong indicator of the thriving innovation ecosystem in the Nordics.
"The level of commercial viability, technical execution, and dedication shown by these high school entrepreneurs is spectacular," says Venture Cup. "Many of these teams are solving pressing global issues—ranging from waste management to commercial drone tech. We welcome them with open arms into the broader startup ecosystem as they transition their student operations into registered corporations (Aktiebolag)."
The 2026 Winners Highlight Reel:
- Årets UF-företag & Årets ekologiskt hållbara UF-företag (Company of the Year & Environmentally Sustainable Company): ReScan UF (Örebro) claimed double gold. The startup has developed an AI-driven handheld scanner designed for recycling centers to eliminate waste misclassification. Their ultimate vision is to halve sorting errors across Sweden.
- Årets Innovation (Innovation of the Year): Reonoma UF (Jönköping), recognized for breaking new technical ground with a highly scalable solution.
- Årets Tjänst (Service of the Year): Rena Höjder UF (Sandagymnasiet, Jönköping), a commercial drone service revolutionizing property maintenance and facility management.
- Årets Affärsplan (Best Business Plan): Lui UF (Göteborgs Högre samskola, Gothenburg), awarded for their pedagogical and commercially sound strategy addressing youth screen time.
- Årets Socialt hållbara UF-företag & Årets vara (Social Sustainability & Product of the Year): Getout UF , showing exceptional execution in physical product creation and social impact.
What’s Next for the Winners?
For many of these young founders, the journey doesn't end with a trophy. Finalists and winners like Rena Höjder UF and ReScan UF have already announced plans to scale their student projects into fully realized joint-stock companies (AB).
Venture Cup is proud to serve as the perfect next step for these ambitious founders. Through our national competitions and vast network of mentors, investors, and industry experts, we look forward to helping these young entrepreneurs scale their validated concepts into market-disrupting businesses.
Congratulations to all the participants, teachers, and schools who made the 2026 championship an unforgettable showcase of Swedish innovation.
About Venture Cup Sweden Venture Cup is Sweden's leading competition for those looking to develop their business ideas and launch startups. By providing professional feedback, mentorship, and a platform to connect with the business world, Venture Cup inspires and helps people realize their entrepreneurial dreams.
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