Hållbarhetsstrategier för svenska food tech-startups: Att blomstra i en tid av växande krav. En kvalitativ studie om strategisk hållbarhetsintegrering i ett tidigt skede

Abstract

Food tech is a rapidly growing industry that merges innovation with sustainability in the food sector. Its development is driven by increasing climate awareness, rising investments, and a growing demand for plant-based alternatives. However, food tech start-ups face notable challenges, including limited resources, high sustainability requirements and a lack of practical guidance. While sustainability is often central to their business models, many struggle to integrate it strategically and over the long term. Since previous research has primarily focused on larger corporations, there is a clear knowledge gap regarding how start-ups actually address sustainability, making Swedish food tech start-ups a particularly relevant group for further study. This study aims to describe and explain how early-stage Swedish food tech startups integrate sustainability as a part of their strategy and business model. Based on the Sustainable Business Model Innovation (SBMI) framework, the study analyses how these startups develop and work with sustainability. A qualitative method has been used to create a deeper understanding of the companies' strategies, drivers and challenges from an actor perspective. Six Swedish food tech start-ups active in the field of sustainability were interviewed through semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was used to process the collected material. The results and analysis show that sustainability is often integrated early on and considered a natural part of the business model. The work is flexible and adapted continuously rather than following fixed strategies. Customers, investors and authorities have a major influence on sustainability work. At the same time, lack of resources and conflicting objectives are significant obstacles to conducting consistent and long-term sustainability work.