Thales and Kista Science City team up to boost Swedish trust tech startups

• Thales in Sweden and Kista Science City have signed an agreement to accelerate Swedish cybersecurity startups through the Trust My Tech programme.
• Through this partnership, Thales offers a unique acceleration programme, with hands-on support from experts and access to advanced AI, quantum, and high-performance technologies.
• This collaboration aims to enhance innovation, strengthen cybersecurity solutions, and reinforce Kista Science City's position as a premium cybersecurity hub with Thales as a high-profile global anchor tenant.

As a global leader in cybersecurity, data protection and AI, Thales continues to drive its open innovation strategy by reinforcing its commitment to the rapidly growing cybersecurity market. Cybersecurity is not only a priority market for Thales but also an essential asset that enhances its other core activities. With its unique expertise, Thales addresses all levels of the cybersecurity value chain - from identification and protection to detection, response, and restoration.

At the Paris Air Show, Thales signed an MOU with Kista Science City to accelerate Swedish cybersecurity startups. With this partnership, Thales gains a Nordic scouting outpost in a highly ranked innovation market with proven cyber talent. Partnering with Kista Science City allows Thales to identify "trusted tech" suppliers to co-create local business value. The pilot supports Thales’ venture client’s objective to integrate promising startup solutions while strengthening its footprint in the Nordics.

Joining the Trust My Tech program offers substantial benefits for Swedish start-ups affiliated with Thales. It will provide direct access to Thales markets, enabling immediate entry into a broader customer base and industry networks. Additionally, participating companies gain mentorship from Thales experts, ensuring guidance and insights that foster growth and innovation.

“Through this collaboration in Sweden, Thales will contribute its world-class cybersecurity capabilities to bolster the Cybersecurity Hub hosted by Kista Science City, enhancing its international reputation and supporting a dynamic, innovation-driven environment for Swedish start-ups.” says Håkan Ahlström, Country Director, Sweden and Finland in Thales.

“This collaboration reflects our mutual commitment to advance innovation, security, and sustainable growth within the cybersecurity ecosystem in Sweden and Europe. By partnering with the Trust My Tech program, we aim to empower emerging technologies and contribute to a safer digital future in times of growing uncertainty." says Karin Bengtsson, CEO, Kista Science City.

Trust My Tech: Thales’ business accelerator programme

The Trust My Tech programme connects startups, scale-ups, SMEs, and software editors with the experts, infrastructure and the customer footprint of Thales.

Structured across three strategic hubs - Paris, Montreal and Singapore - Trust My Tech provides an international framework that enables innovators to develop and test their solutions in environments closely mirroring operational reality while facilitating interconnections between European, North American, and Asian markets. Thales also recently signed partnerships with the Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) to accelerate 10 start-ups specialised in deeptech.

Success stories generated through this program not only attract further investment and scale-ups but also encourage collaborations within the ecosystem, bolstering overall industry growth.

Thales offers an exciting opportunity to seize game-changing prospects, access world-class technologies, and gain exclusive mentorship from industry leaders. This is a chance to scale, innovate, and make an impact. Applications are now open until September for the Trust My Tech program, scheduled to run from early October to mid-December 2025.

Apply now for the Thales x Kista Science City Trust Tech Challenges! 🚀

About Kista Science City

Kista Science City is an ecosystem for transformational technologies stimulating innovation through the exchange of expertise in science and business, connecting corporations with the newest innovators from research and entreprenurs to transform our future. With a focus on cybersecurity, semiconductors, AI, defence, space and digital infrastructure, we have a strong network to connect deep tech development with infrastructure, talent and applied research.

Whether you're a scaleup looking to validate and commercialize, or a multinational company building your next R&D node, Kista Science City offers the ecosystem, people and momentum to take you further.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

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