Swedish Tech Hub Epicenter Expands Amsterdam Presence as Part of Nordic-to-District Growth Strategy
Swedish tech hub Epicenter is accelerating its European expansion with the launch of a new community hub located within Amsterdam’s Piet Hein buildings, a 31.000 m2 office complex on the waterfront. The Epicenter Amsterdam’s surface will top 6.000 sqm.
The move was announced by Epicenter’s CEO Adrian McDonald. The expansion forms part of Epicenter’s broader transition from a single-building operator into a district-based innovation ecosystem spanning Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo and Amsterdam, says the Epicenter Group.
Over the last ten years, the Epicenter’s network grows from approximately 6,000 members to more than 20,000 founders, scaleups, corporates, investors and innovators across the Nordics and Europe. According to McDonald, the company’s ambition is not simply to open another coworking location, but to create a platform where businesses can build meaningful connections, partnerships and growth opportunities. According to the CEO, Amsterdam does not need another workspace provider but places where ambitious companies and individuals can collaborate openly and create business opportunities together.
Epicenter already operated a location in Amsterdam, eight years ago, but had closed it down.
It addition to the Amsterdam announcement, Epicenter unveiled a shift in its expansion strategy, from a single-building model to a district-based approach.
The first phase of the new strategy is centered around Stockholm, where Epicenter has partnered with property company AMF Fastigheter since its launch 11 years ago. The initiative expands Epicenter’s reach beyond its current 12,000 sqm flagship in the MOOD district, a vibrant mixed-use area in Stockholm’s city centre. Companies located in AMF Fastigheter’s office buildings throughout the area will gain access to Epicenter’s events, innovation clusters, content, advisory services and meeting facilities.
At the same time, Epicenter will gradually relocate its open membership spaces from its current premises on Malmskillnadsgatan to a nearby building. The move will bring Epicenter together with Elements Stockholm, a 15,000 sqm sustainable innovation hub launched in spring 2024 by Epicenter founders Ola Ahlvarsson and Patrick Mesterton in partnership with AMF Fastigheter. Positioned as a “sister house” to Epicenter, Elements focuses on scaling sustainability-driven innovation, while Epicenter’s original platform has traditionally concentrated on digital transformation and corporate technology innovation.
“Cities don’t compete on office space anymore. They compete on density of opportunity — how easily a founder, for example, can find the right investor, the right hire, the right partner, in the same square mile,” comments Adrian McDonald.
The company linked the expansion to changing workplace requirements driven by artificial intelligence and evolving leadership models.
“AI is changing what teams need from the workspace and their leaders. Not less space or more strict leadership, but a different kind than what we know today. Places designed for the connections and collisions that give companies opportunities to change the world and individuals more meaning,” McDonald said.
Lastly, Epicenter is introducing Gateway to Nordics, a new programme aimed at helping international companies connect with the Nordic innovation ecosystem.
Founded in 2015, Epicenter operates innovation and workspace hubs for startups, scaleups and large corporations. The company has established locations in Sweden, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands and focuses on combining flexible workspace with events, learning programmes, advisory services and technology communities.
Pic source: weareepicenter.com