North stars: Why are Swedish companies world leaders?

In this episode of "Short Briefings on Long Term Thinking," Malcolm Borthwick interviews Stephen Paice about the investment opportunities in Sweden, particularly focusing on family and founder-led businesses. Stephen explains why Sweden is a prime location for finding exceptional companies or "outliers" due to its global ambition, strong innovation, and supportive ecosystem. The discussion highlights Atlas Copco as a prime example of a successful, long-term-oriented company influenced by the Wallenberg family, emphasizing its unique culture of decentralization and customer focus. They further explore the prevalence and influence of family-run businesses in Sweden, the rise of founder-led companies like Spotify, and Sweden's culture of innovation, supported by government initiatives and collaborative networks. The conversation also touches on Sweden's leadership in sustainable development, spotlighting Northvolt as a promising company in the green battery sector, poised to drive decarbonization efforts in Europe.