Poor infrastructure. Unfair compensation structures. Overburdened healthcare centers. These are just a few of the societal challenges that the new startups at SSE Business Lab are tackling with AI. With 15 new startups joining the incubator today, this marks the largest batch of companies admitted simultaneously in the history of the incubator.

“It’s amazing to see the diversity among the new founders – seasoned serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, and former top executives. The concentration of talent is inspiring, and it’s exciting to see so many brilliant people choosing to join us,” says Isabel Keulen, CEO of SSE Business Lab and SSE Ventures.

Among the notable founders is Sophie Hedestad, former executive at Netigate and Meltwater, who is now co-founding Noxit. Another key profile is Mats He, founder of Boappa, who has now launched the company Nora alongside Sana Labs-alum William Westerlund.

“The applications were incredibly impressive”

Investor Pia Engholm, chairperson of DHS Venture Partners and a member of SSE Business Lab’s Board of Admissions, highlights the exceptional quality of applicants in this round.

“The applications were incredibly impressive. We have rarely seen so many high-potential startups in a single round. The new companies stand out with their high levels of ambition and technical maturity,” says Pia Engholm.

The new startups now join one of Europe’s top 10 incubators

When the Financial Times recently released its ranking of Europe’s top startup hubs, it confirmed SSE Business Lab’s leading role in Nordic innovation. SSE’s incubator was the only Nordic representative to make the top ten, ranking 8 out of 150. Isabel Keulen emphasizes that the blend of technology and societal impact is as crucial for the School as it is for its incubator.

“Seeing our entrepreneurs solve real-world problems with cutting-edge technology is what drives me and the team. SSE Business Lab is the place where technology meets vision. Founders from SSE really deliver, and we can see it every day,” says Isabel Keulen.

Like all startups at SSE Business Lab, the 15 newly admitted companies will receive extensive professional support. They will be part of a dynamic environment where ideas and experiences are shared freely among entrepreneurs. In addition to individual coaching from experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders, the startups will gain access to a strong network of alumni, angel investors, and venture capital firms ready to support them in their growth journey.

The admitted companies

Incubate:

Arkivia: AI-powered legal tech platform that simplifies estate settlement by connecting families and lawyers on a single platform.

Cay Collective: Art and design marketplace helping creators reach a global audience through online and physical engagement strategies.

Compensara: AI-powered platform that provides companies with real-time insights into market and competitor compensation trends, enabling fair and confident HR decisions.

Curevo Health: Optimizes healthcare with AI – smart, digital, and patient-centered healthcare.

Finance Lab: SaaS B2B platform that structures and visualizes data on emissions in listed companies, optimizing decision-making and reducing inefficiencies.

Flowity: AI-based road crack detection solution that processes video footage to identify defects, reducing maintenance costs and improving infrastructure management.

Klimra: Automated compensation service for train delays, providing instant refunds and taxi arrangements for affected travelers.

Langoflow: AI-driven ed-tech platform that delivers instant, curriculum-aligned writing feedback to students and teachers, improving learning outcomes and reducing workloads.

Mat Plus: Data analytics and machine learning company focusing on inventory and operational optimization through demand forecasting and stock level adjustments.

Nora: AI-powered professional tutor specializing in spoken Japanese.

Noxit: SaaS platform leveraging AI to simplify goal-setting and performance management using the OKR framework.

Activate:

LensHero: B2B2C solution enabling non-optician retailers to offer prescription lens replacement services, expanding their market reach.

Mobilizr: AI-powered platform that automates work permit processing, enabling businesses to hire international talent seamlessly.

NordML: AI-driven inventory and operational optimization company using time series ML models to forecast demand and optimize stock levels.

Pango: AI-driven peer-to-peer return management software that streamlines e-commerce returns by matching returned items with new buyers, reducing packaging costs and eliminating extra shipping steps.