Where European deep tech gets done.

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Gothenburg has spent 200 years building industries that changed the world. Today its universities and industrial partners are building the deep technology companies that will build a better one. What Europe lacks is a place where the builders, backers, and thinkers that will define European deep tech can come together.

GoWest is that place.

About

The name GoWest is inspired by the idea of going west in search of opportunity. Today, that journey leads to Gothenburg and West Sweden — where world-class research sits next to some of Europe’s strongest industrial environments.

GoWest is the Nordic venture capital forum with a focus on deep tech, bringing founders, active capital allocators, industry and policymakers from across the Nordics and Europe into the same room.

With a focus on companies in early stages, GoWest is built around what happens when the right people meet: investment opportunities, one-to-one matchmaking, new relationships and conversations around the technologies and capital shaping tomorrow’s industries.

From West Sweden to a European stage

It began in 2014 as Connect2Capital, initiated by Connect Väst. In 2022, GU Ventures relaunched the forum as GoWest – Nordic Venture Capital Forum, growing its international reach and establishing GoWest as a meeting place for founders, investors and the wider venture ecosystem. Within the EU-funded KRAFT project (2022 - 2026), one of the most visible activities was GoWest.

In 2026, GoWest entered its next chapter. The forum was spun out into an independent organisation founded by GU Ventures and Chalmers Ventures, with a long-term ambition to build a stronger European platform from Gothenburg.

GoWest 2027 is supported by its founders together with Region Västra Götaland, Business Region Göteborg and Göteborg & Co’s Trade and Industry Group.

Together, we are building GoWest as a working forum for European deep tech — rooted in one of the Nordics’ strongest research and industrial environments and connected to capital, companies and opportunities across Europe.

Nordic focus. European stage. Globally relevant.

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The west swedish ecosystem

West Sweden combines a strong industrial heritage with a growing innovation ecosystem.

The region is home to eight incubators, each reflecting the industries and strengths of its local area. Together, they contribute to a diverse ecosystem spanning technology, life science, sustainability, creative industries and more.