Forsway Secures Multimillion Investment – Aims to Challenge Musk and Starlink
Forsway Scandinavia is now making a real leap into space. The Science Park Skövde-based company has secured a substantial investment of 27 million SEK, setting the stage for battles with the likes of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
“We have strong confidence in what we’re doing,” says Tobias Forsell, CEO of Forsway.
Forsway Scandinavia has been working with various forms of communication technology for well over a decade. From its base in Skövde, in the heart of the Science Park, the company has developed technology that can provide internet connectivity via mobile networks to everything from developing nations to military operations.
“We don’t focus on the mass market but rather target larger players who could use this as their own system,” says Tobias Forsell.
After years of hard work, Forsway has now secured the largest investment in its history—and it’s no ordinary investment.
ESA Invests 27 Million SEK
The Swedish National Space Agency and the European Space Agency (ESA) have jointly invested a total of 27 million SEK in Forsway Scandinavia. The goal of this investment is to continue developing and building the satellite communication system Forsway is currently working on.
“We’ve been working on this for a long time, and it feels incredible to have secured this investment. We’ve collaborated with both the Swedish National Space Agency and ESA before, and that has led to this,” says Tobias Forsell.
For those unfamiliar, Forsway’s solutions may seem somewhat similar to those of Elon Musk’s Starlink, particularly in the goal of providing global internet access. But what is the real difference between Forsway’s system and the more widely known Starlink?
“Starlink is based solely on its own satellites. Our system is satellite-independent, and those who use it have full control over their data. We work with 5G-based technology, and while we do utilize satellites, we could just as easily operate on the ground with cell towers. We can complement all mobile operators, something Starlink cannot do,” explains Tobias Forsell.
“Skövde Is Where We’re Based”
The investment will enable Forsway to take significant steps forward, and plans for the next phase are already in place.
“We will develop a router to distribute the data and, together with other partners, create an antenna according to our specifications. The critical part is the server systems, ensuring that the right data reaches the right device securely. We are beginning to build this system now and aim to have something viable by the end of 2026.”
This also paves the way for additional changes.
“We will definitely need to bring in more people, that’s for sure. But we’re staying here. Skövde is where we’re based, and we want to maintain that local connection. It’s important to show that we can do this from here.”