The €120 Billion Opportunity Transforming Northern Sweden – and Its Coworking Sector
Northern Sweden is rapidly emerging as one of Europe’s most dynamic economic regions. Massive investments in green industry, mining, renewable energy, and infrastructure are attracting companies and talent from across the continent. But while much attention is focused on billion-euro industrial projects, another story is unfolding in parallel: the growing role of coworking spaces in supporting this transformation.
In a recent conversation, Jean-Yves Huwart , founder of Coworking Europe, spoke with Olof Pergament CEO of House Be, about how flexible workspaces are helping companies, entrepreneurs, and entire communities adapt to this new era of growth.
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A Region Undergoing Massive Change
Northern Sweden may not be the first place that comes to mind when discussing Europe’s future economic hotspots. Yet the region is attracting unprecedented levels of investment.
Driven by abundant renewable energy resources, mining activities, green steel production, battery manufacturing, and the growing importance of rare earth minerals, Northern Sweden has become one of Europe’s most significant industrial development zones.
“What’s been going on for the last seven or eight years is a big green expansion because we have a lot of natural resources and a lot of green energy in these parts of Sweden as well,” explains Olof Pergament.
While the highly publicized Northvolt story has faced challenges, the trend remains intact. Major investments continue to flow into the region, creating jobs, attracting talent, and reshaping local economies.
The result is a unique situation where unemployment is extremely low, economic growth remains strong, and companies from across Sweden and abroad are establishing a presence in the region.
“The engine of all of this is the iron that is getting out of the mines in Kiruna,” says Olof. “At the same time, you still have a real closeness to nature, which is one of the perks of living in the northern part of Sweden.”
From Digital Nomads to Industrial Growth
When House Be was founded, the vision was very different.
The company initially focused on serving digital professionals and families seeking a different lifestyle in Sweden’s mountain regions. The goal was simple: provide world-class workspaces in locations where this type of offering simply did not exist.
“We wanted to be a coworking space for people who wanted a special way of living in the northern part of Sweden while still having access to top-notch office environments,” recalls Olof.
Over time, however, the market evolved.
As industrial investment accelerated, a new customer base emerged. Today, around half of House Be’s members come from large national and international companies participating in the region’s industrial expansion.
“About 50% of our members today are from large national or international companies,” says Olof. “We’re giving them a really good chance to focus on their work instead of handling the office themselves.”
These organizations often need an immediate operational base before committing to permanent offices. Flexible workspace solutions allow them to establish teams quickly while focusing on their core business rather than managing office infrastructure.
Evolving Beyond Traditional Coworking
The changing profile of members has also transformed the product itself.
Like many coworking operators, House Be started with open workspaces, desks, lounges, and small offices. Today, demand increasingly comes from larger teams requiring dedicated space and tailored solutions.
In response, the company has expanded its offering to include larger company suites and more flexible configurations designed specifically for growing organizations.
“What we’ve done now is create more company suites and larger spaces,” explains Olof. “We try to be open-minded and work together with companies to find the best fit for them.”
Flexibility is no longer only about freelancers and startups. Increasingly, it means providing scalable workspace solutions for established companies entering new markets.
Building Communities, Not Just Offices
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of House Be’s model is its role within the local ecosystem.
Rapid industrial growth affects much more than factories and production sites. Entire communities must adapt. New residents arrive, service providers expand, startups emerge, and local authorities face new challenges.
Coworking spaces often become natural meeting points within this ecosystem.
House Be actively fosters these connections by encouraging interaction between entrepreneurs, corporate employees, newcomers, and local residents.
“We keep the coffee in one place,” Olof explains. “Nobody has their own kitchenette. Everyone needs to come together for lunch, coffee breaks, and everyday interactions.”
Beyond the workplace, House Be organizes community breakfasts, running clubs, gym partnerships, outdoor activities, hiking trips, and even winter ice-bathing experiences.
“We can’t create one thing that works for everyone,” says Olof. “We need lots of smaller efforts that bring different kinds of people together.”
Supporting Entire Communities
What makes Northern Sweden’s story particularly unique is that coworking demand extends far beyond the large industrial projects themselves.
When new factories, mines, and energy projects arrive, they bring an entire ecosystem with them: suppliers, consultants, service providers, startups, and families.
“When a boom like this happens, the whole city needs to develop,” explains Olof. “It’s not just the mining company or the battery factory that grows. The whole society grows.”
This places coworking spaces at the center of local development.
House Be has also become an important social connector for newcomers relocating to the region.
“If you’re moving to Åre and call the local community, one of the first things they’ll tell you is: go to the Friday breakfast at House Be,” Olof says. “That’s where you’ll learn how to blend in.”
What’s Next for House Be?
The company’s growth reflects the confidence surrounding Northern Sweden’s future.
House Be recently announced a new location in Sundsvall, housed in a historic former bank building, and has ambitious plans to continue expanding throughout Northern Sweden in the coming years.
As industrial investment continues to reshape the region, demand for flexible workspace solutions is expected to remain strong.
Final Thought
The future of coworking may not be limited to urban centers or traditional office markets.
In Northern Sweden, flexible workspaces are helping power a broader economic transformation — supporting industries, attracting talent, and strengthening communities.
As Europe continues its re-industrialization journey, coworking operators may find themselves playing a much larger role than simply providing office space.
Or, as Olof Pergament puts it:
“We’re not only a workspace. We are part of building the future of these cities.”
