How Mehkar Sheikh and Venture Cup are powering the next generation of Swedish startups
- Fearless Founders
- Mar 16
- 4 min read
Sweden has built a reputation as a global leader in entrepreneurship, producing companies like Spotify and Klarna. But what sets Swedish founders apart? And how can more entrepreneurs turn ideas into thriving businesses?
For Mehkar Sheikh, CEO of Venture Cup, these questions drive her work every day. As the leader of Sweden’s largest national startup competition, she empowers founders to turn ideas into real businesses, connect with the right people, and scale globally.
A Leader in Sweden’s Startup Ecosystem
“My job is probably the most fun and rewarding job in the world,” Mehkar says. “Everything from strategic partnerships to ecosystem-building, strengthening the Swedish entrepreneurial landscape with the right platform, networks, and strategic support to drive sustainable growth and innovation nationwide.”
Mehkar’s background spans leadership communication, education, and ecosystem development, but at her core, she’s a builder—of businesses, of networks, and of opportunities.
“At Venture Cup, we turn ideas into real businesses, connecting founders to the resources, and networks they need to scale and succeed. I have the privilege of being part of this transformation, witnessing hundreds of startups evolve every year. It’s a powerful process—one that reaffirms why accessible, inclusive entrepreneurship matters,” says Mehkar.
What Sets Swedish Founders Apart?
Mehkar sees Swedish entrepreneurs as a rare blend of bold vision, grounded humility, and sharp problem-solving skills.
“There’s a reason Sweden dominates global innovation,” she says. “We think globally from day one, embrace collaboration, and aren’t afraid to fail.” Mehkar credits Sweden’s startup culture, which fosters openness, flat hierarchies, and a fearless approach to experimentation and learning.
“We amplify this by providing expert validation, investor exposure, and access to Sweden’s most influential business leaders,” she explains. “We celebrate lessons learned as much as we celebrate success.”
From Idea to Execution: Mehkar’s Advice to Founders
Many aspiring entrepreneurs struggle with moving from idea to execution. Mehkar’s advice is simple: start before you’re ready.
“If you wait for certainty, you’ll wait forever.” she says. “Execution beats perfection every time. You don’t need a 20-slide pitch deck or the confidence of a TED speaker to begin. You need to launch, gather feedback, and iterate fast.”
She also reminds founders that failure is inevitable.
“Your first idea might flop. Your pricing might be off. Investors might say no. So what?
Failure is part of the journey to success. The best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is right now.”
The Evolution of Venture Cup
The startup landscape is changing fast—and Venture Cup is evolving with it.
“Our secret sauce is that we always strive to stay ahead of the curve,” Mehkar says. “Funding models are evolving, and so are we. Startups today think global from day one, and we provide the feedback, the platform, and connections they need to scale.”
She acknowledges that the old way of waiting months for funding or mentorship doesn’t work anymore. Speed matters.
“But at its core, entrepreneurship remains a human game—bold ideas, resilient founders, and the right support make all the difference.”
The Future of Startups: What Trends Will Dominate the Next Five Years?
Mehkar believes the future of startups will be shaped by three major trends:
Impact-driven innovation – Startups are launching businesses that tackle global challenges.
AI and sustainability – Green tech, ethical AI, and circular economy solutions are gaining momentum.
New funding models – Crowdfunding, grants, and bootstrapping are becoming more common as alternatives to venture capital.
“At Venture Cup, we don’t just follow trends—we help shape them,” she says. “By giving startups visibility, credibility, and access to the right networks, we unlock opportunities that fuel real growth.”
What’s Next for Venture Cup?
Venture Cup was founded in 1998 at the initiative of McKinsey and Company. Since then, over 30,000 individuals and 18,000 startups have competed at Venture Cup with their startup ideas.
Since its inception in 1998, over 30,000 entrepreneurs have competed in Venture Cup, many of whom have gone on to build industry-leading companies, secure major funding rounds, win prestigious awards, and create lasting impact. Our alumni network spans a diverse range of sectors, from tech and sustainability to healthcare and consumer goods, with companies like Mentimeter, Naked Juice Bar, Parkster, LumenRadio, Mimbly, Wellibites, Lensway, Plasticfri, MyEsteeme, and RaySearch Laboratories making their mark on both Swedish and international markets.
One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing how far these startups go. I often get contacted by grateful founders, investors, and business leaders who mention that their journey started at Venture Cup—it’s a testament to the deep imprint we’ve left on Sweden’s startup ecosystem. But what’s truly satisfying is when our alumni take giant leaps—securing funding rounds, scaling globally and driving real change. Knowing that we played a role in their earliest stages reinforces why early support matters.
We’re not just running a competition; we’re shaping the future of Swedish innovation.
Mehkar sees Venture Cup continuing to grow and evolve, focusing on:
● Expanding partnerships to connect founders with even more influential players in the ecosystem.
● Scaling the competition’s impact to help startups build globally competitive businesses.
● Providing founders with faster and smarter support that aligns with today’s fast-moving startup landscape.
"The future is built by those who dare to innovate, and I’m fearlessly committed to driving entrepreneurship that is accessible, inclusive, and impact-driven—ensuring that every bold idea has the opportunity, resources and connections to create lasting change.”
If you have a story worth sharing, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Fearless Founders at leslie@fearlessfounders.site
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