About
Skills 2 Grow is a Nordic collaborative programme within the Öresund- Kattegatt- Skagerak region, designed to help early-stage startups master the full recruitment journey. All the way from preparing for their first hire to building teams that stay and thrive.
Through a flexible, skill-based structure and a unique cross border perspective, founders gain the practical tools, legal insights and confidence needed to recruit and retain talent.
Delivered by leading entrepreneurial support organizations, the programme equips startups with the competence to grow their teams sustainably and successfully.
The Programme: Scaling Your Team
Skills 2 Grow is a Nordic programme built specifically for early-stage startups. We help you master the entire recruitment journey, from hiring your very first employee to building a team that stays and thrives.
When you join, you will be paired with a dedicated business coach. Together, you will map out exactly what your company needs and decide which of our 9 skill-based workshops and events you should attend.
The programme will run until Summer 2028. You are free to stay in the programme as long as you wish and join the activities relevant to your startup.
A Nordic Strategic Alliance
We believe that the best talent should not be limited by national borders. Skills 2 Grow is part of the Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak programme and is co-funded by the European Union.
This is a strategic partnership between leading innovation hubs across Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Together, we work to connect the Nordic startup ecosystems, making it easier for you to recruit, move talent, and grow your business in Southern Scandinavia.
The Partners behind this programme
Skills 2 Grow is part of the Interreg Öresund–Kattegat–Skagerrak programme and is co-funded by the European Union.
Interreg Öresund–Kattegat–Skagerrak (ÖKS) supports cross-border cooperation between Danish, Swedish and Norwegian regions. The programme aims to strengthen innovation capacity, sustainable growth and regional competitiveness by addressing shared societal challenges across borders.
Through this framework, Skills 2 Grow contributes to a more integrated and functional labour market in Southern Scandinavia. By improving startups’ ability to recruit and retain talent across national borders, the project supports increased mobility, better job matching and stronger collaboration between regional innovation ecosystems.
Cross-border cooperation is at the core of the project. By connecting actors across Denmark, Sweden and Norway, Skills 2 Grow helps reduce structural barriers, strengthen skills development and create long-term growth for startups in the ÖKS region.
Co-funded by Interreg ÖKS
We have united the strongest entrepreneurial environments in the region:
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Norway: 657 Oslo and Impact StartUp.
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Denmark: Erhvervshus Sjælland, Business Lolland-Falster, Zealand Academy.
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Sweden: Drivhuset Göteborg and GU Ventures
Supporting SDG 5 and SDG 9 through cross-border talent mobility.
Skills 2 Grow contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by strengthening cross-border mobility, inclusive growth, and access to qualified talent across the Öresund–Kattegat–Skagerrak region.
SDG 5 – Gender Equality
The project works with gender equality and inclusive participation in both communication and activities. There is a focus on highlighting career opportunities in startups for a broad group of talents and ensuring balanced participation among founders and participants in the project’s activities.
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
The project supports the development of innovative startups by strengthening their organisational capacity and ability to attract qualified labour. This contributes to a stronger innovation ecosystem and increased growth among startups in the ÖKS region.