Investors Take the Stage as TWIST Reverse Pitching Returns to Karlstad for Its Fifth Edition
On October 15, investors and startups from across the Nordic region gathered at Olssons Bazar in Karlstad for the fifth edition of TWIST Reverse Pitching. In a format that flips the traditional pitch on its head, it was the investors who took the stage first. Over 10 startups and 10 investors spent the evening in high-energy speed-dating sessions, building connections that could shape the next wave of regional innovation.
A format that flips the script
TWIST has become a fixture in the regional startup calendar since launching in Karlstad. The concept is simple but effective: instead of founders scrambling to impress investors, the investors pitch themselves first. They share what they look for, what they can offer beyond capital, and how they work with early-stage companies. After the investor introductions, founders and investors sit down for five-minute one-on-one meetings, giving everyone the chance to connect directly.
The result is a more balanced dynamic. Startups get to evaluate investors just as much as investors evaluate them. For early-stage founders navigating the world of seed capital, this kind of transparency is invaluable.
DigitalWell startups in the mix
This edition brought together startups from across the Oslo, Karlstad, Gothenburg, Stockholm and Orebro regions. Among them were several companies from the DigitalWell Ventures ecosystem, including:
Meligo, led by Jessica Ek, helps organisations turn wellbeing data into insight and action.
OptiMed AI, founded by Smyan Sondur, uses AI to address one of healthcare’s most persistent challenges: fragmented patient data.
CareLogic, co-founded by Daniel Malm and Andreas Bom, improves digital health communication and empowers both patients and healthcare providers.
Also representing the DigitalWell ecosystem were VITALOOP, tendoer, Habbie, Mind Index, Reviall and Vimscore, all bringing healthtech and digital innovation solutions to the table.
Building bridges between startups and capital
The evening began with a closed roundtable session for investors, focused on angel investing and how to facilitate seed capital for early-stage startups in the region. This conversation set the tone for the rest of the event, highlighting a shared commitment to making capital more accessible for founders across the Nordic and Baltic startup landscape.
Maria Olofsson from Ignite Sweden also joined the event, sharing insights on connecting startups with established companies and public sector organisations. Her perspective added another dimension to the evening, reminding attendees that growth for startups is not only about investment, but also about finding the right partners and customers.
A growing ecosystem effort
TWIST is organised by DigitalWell Ventures, Business Angels Wermland and Xplorico. Now in its fifth edition, the event has become a proven meeting point for investors and startups, with each round bringing new faces and new opportunities to the region.
– It’s inspiring to see how events like TWIST keep building bridges between startups and capital, and strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem, the DigitalWell Ventures team shared after the event.
With five successful editions behind it and a growing community of investors and founders, TWIST continues to prove that reversing the pitch can open doors. For the startups and investors who met in Karlstad on October 15, the real work begins now, in the follow-up conversations, partnerships and deals that come next.