In our incubator, we work with entrepreneurs and early-stage startups that are ready to take the next step. The program runs for five months and is completely free of charge, with no equity required. Each company is paired with mentors and gains access to networks, lectures, Yuncture House, and a group of people who genuinely want to see them succeed.

We often say that we don’t build the companies for our entrepreneurs, but we’re there alongside them – providing structure, a sounding board, encouragement, and sometimes asking that question that may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but turns out to be exactly what they needed to hear.

This spring, we’ve had the opportunity to follow four very exciting companies up close. Two of them are now giving us a glimpse into what their spring in the incubator has looked like.

Anferra Turns Steel Waste into a Valuable Resource

Anferra works to transform steel waste into chemicals used for water treatment. This means that residual materials that would otherwise cost money to manage can instead become a valuable resource, while reducing the need for newly produced raw materials. In short: smarter use of resources, less waste, and a solution that connects multiple industries in a circular way. That’s exactly the kind of thing we like.

In practice, Anferra creates a link between industrial companies that grind steel, for example in engine and bearing manufacturing, and chemical companies that can use the process to produce ferric chloride for water treatment in a more circular and cost-effective way. Behind the company is a team of entrepreneurs working alongside a researcher, reflected in the combination of technical expertise, curiosity, and a strong drive to create real value for industry.

When Anferra joined the incubator, the team hoped for support from mentors, fresh perspectives, new relationships, and, of course, a really enjoyable spring. Judging by their progress so far, it seems they’ve had plenty of all of the above.

Since joining the incubator, Anferra has taken several important steps forward. They have deepened their dialogue with both existing and potential customers, giving them a clearer understanding of the market and customer needs. They have also closed their pre-seed round, which they describe as a major milestone – not least because they are very pleased with the new owners who have joined the company. Read more about it here.

Investment is often an important milestone for a startup, but for Anferra, it’s about more than capital. The funding enables them to carry out a large-scale pilot project in which the technology can be validated at an industrially relevant scale. In addition, the company has been awarded grant funding from the Swedish Energy Agency to expand the scope of the project and extend its runway. This will be an important step in gathering data, proof points, and supporting evidence for future customer discussions and sales processes.

One of Anferra’s major challenges has been finding the right business model in a complex landscape. The company operates across several industries, involving major players, logistical dependencies, and permitting processes that all influence the path to market. This is where the incubator has contributed with structure, networks, and strategic sparring. Mentors Mats and Sven-Gunnar have helped the team take a broader perspective, challenge assumptions, and think more strategically about the market and the business.

Now, the next phase awaits. After wrapping up the work from this spring and taking some well-deserved time off, the plan is to head into autumn at full speed. The focus will be on the pilot project, continued customer collaborations, and bringing the technology closer to commercialization. We at Yuncture will be cheering them on – loudly and enthusiastically!

The team behind Anferra

Parilo Helps Companies Navigate the ESG Jungle

Parilo started with a clear idea. ESG requirements are increasing, but many companies find the market for ESG systems difficult to navigate. Choosing the wrong IT solution for sustainability work can be costly – in terms of time, money, and trust. Parilo helps organizations understand whether, when, and which ESG system is actually the right fit for their business.

The target group is Swedish companies with approximately 20 to 3,000 employees that want to build a more structured and long-term approach to sustainability without getting lost in the jungle of systems. Behind the company is Ellinor Axelsson, who joined the incubator with the ambition of continuing to develop Parilo, gaining access to Yuncture’s network and expertise, and perhaps even finding a co-founder.

But not every entrepreneurial journey is about moving faster. Sometimes, it’s about seeing things more clearly.

For Parilo, the time in the incubator has largely been about focus. As a founder, there are often more opportunities than hours in the day, which means that many decisions are not only about what to do, but also about what to actively choose not to do. Throughout the spring, Ellinor has worked on understanding where Parilo creates the most value, how the company can be built more sustainably over time, and which routines, ways of working, and processes actually work when life and the world around us change.

Another important insight has been about sales. Sales can easily sound like something rather rigid, perhaps even a little uncomfortable. But during her time at Yuncture, Parilo has worked extensively on viewing sales as being about relationships, trust, and clear communication. As a founder, you are not only responsible for the product or service – you are also the company’s most important ambassador. The mentors have played an important role in this process by asking questions, challenging assumptions, and helping Ellinor see the business from new perspectives.

Parilo has also already earned the trust of several well-known organizations and companies, including Chalmers, Hultafors Group, Swoosh Group, OKQ8, Nelly, and Visit Sweden. For a young company, this is a strong validation that its expertise and offering create real value.

At the same time, the incubator has contributed to a broader personal and strategic realization. Ellinor has concluded that Parilo will continue to exist, but that she no longer wants to pursue working with the company full-time in the same way as before. And while that may not be the classic startup story filled with confetti, rocket-fuelled growth, and double espressos, it is an equally important kind of success. Stepping outside your own bubble, understanding what you truly want, and making thoughtful decisions for both the company and your life is also entrepreneurship. Perhaps even the most sustainable kind.

Ellinor Axelsson, Founder of Parilo

What an Incubator Can Actually Contribute

Anferra and Parilo show two different sides of what an incubator can do. For one company, the spring has been about funding, pilot projects, and moving closer to the market. For the other, it has been about focus, prioritization, and important insights about which direction to take. Both are equally valuable.

And that is exactly why we at Yuncture believe in meeting companies where they are. A startup in Gothenburg may need support with investment, sales, marketing, its business model, customer dialogues, or something entirely different. Sometimes you need answers. Sometimes you need better questions. And sometimes you simply need someone to tell you that it’s okay to rethink your direction.

Ready to Take the Next Step with Your Startup?

We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to follow Anferra, Parilo, and the other companies throughout the spring. Their journeys show that progress can take many different forms – but that the right environment, the right mentors, and the right support can make a real difference.

Do you have an idea, run an early-stage company, or are you looking for an incubator in Gothenburg where you can get structure, access to a strong network, and plenty of encouragement along the way? Then Yuncture’s incubator might be the next step for you. Apply to Yuncture’s incubator and let us help you take your idea further.

Or stop by Yuncture House, grab a coffee, and tell us what you’re building. We’re curious.