ABOUT usSince 1989 the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in San Diego has established a profound presence in the San Diego business environment. We have enabled innovative and creative exchange between a multitude of members and supporters. The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce strives to be a "one-stop-shop" for Clean Tech and Life Science businesses in Southern California.
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OUR VISIONOur vision is to be recognized as Southern California's most trusted and utilized organization to promote trade and facilitate business opportunities between Sweden and the US, through the exchange of business, trade, investments, technology and culture.
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NEWS AND EVENTS
MARCH BUSINESS MIXER
Join us for an insightful business mixer hosted by the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce featuring speaker Aron Davidson, Director of the US Commercial Service's San Diego and Imperial regional office, offering expert guidance on navigating global trade opportunities.
Here are the event details:
Date: March 27th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: EF Education First Campus
Address: 3455 Kenyon St, San Diego, CA 92110
Here are the event details:
Date: March 27th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: EF Education First Campus
Address: 3455 Kenyon St, San Diego, CA 92110
Interview with Kerstin Mühlow, CEO of ImmersiveUnity
SACC San Diego got the opportunity to have an interview with Kerstin Mühlow, CEO of Immersive Unity. The interview explored the history of ImmersiveUnity's development, its global network of VR and AR developers, challenges faced in XR development, collaboration with large companies, and the future of XR technologies.
Kerstin Mühlow is the founder and CEO of ImmersiveUnity. She works with her team and partners in the XR and Metaverse industry. During 25 years as a professional, Kerstin has experience working in all sectors. She has worked at an international level with large telecom and tech companies.
Interview:
What are ImmersiveUnity’s main goals?
At ImmersiveUnity, our primary goals are to support and empower small players in the XR field, fostering entrepreneurship and facilitating their growth. We aim to create a global market presence for XR companies, grouping them into different tech categories like XR Gaming, XR Healthcare, XR Real Estate, XR Industrial training ect. to encourage collaboration and collective development within the industry.
Can you tell us about your role in ImmersiveUnity and your responsibilities as CEO?
As the CEO of ImmersiveUnity, my role involves developing the company by leveraging the global resources we've built. It’s a lot about networking and assisting the people I work with both internally and externally.
Could you share the backstory of ImmersiveUnity's development?
ImmersiveUnity started five years ago when we recognized the evolving landscape of immersive technologies. Anticipating the need for a large developer community to drive this evolution, we began building a global network of virtual and augmented reality developers. Today, we have one of the world's largest VR and AR developer networks, with access to around 70,000 developers in approximately 70 countries.
What led you to consider San Diego as a potential hub for subsidiary development?
San Diego appealed to us because it's an expanding XR tech hub, hosting major companies such as Qualcomm, Apple, and Lenovo representatives. We saw an opportunity to establish a subsidiary there to sell our development services, which is why we started to work with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce.
How do you navigate challenges in XR development, and how do you support small businesses in the industry?
Challenges are inevitable for small businesses, including ours. Access to resources is a common hurdle. We've focused on creating a network of developers globally, not only to sell our services but also to support and connect small XR players. Our goal is to strengthen the XR ecosystem, providing both individual and group support to companies active in the same areas.
Your extensive network is impressive. How crucial is it to your projects?
Our network is the backbone of our company. It's not only an essential resource in building our business but also in identifying and supporting XR companies. It's a two-way street. Many startups encounter common challenges, such as securing adequate resources for rapid growth. We've faced and addressed similar challenges, making our experiences valuable for those we assist.
How do you collaborate with small and large XR companies in San Diego?
While we have good relations with some large companies, they may not fully grasp our initiatives yet. Currently, our primary interactions are with smaller firms. However, we see the potential for collaboration with larger enterprises as they gain a deeper understanding of our work.
You mentioned the possibility of establishing a subsidiary in San Diego. How do you envision balancing your presence between Sweden and the U.S.?
We're currently exploring the idea of establishing a small subsidiary in San Diego, and it's likely to become a reality. However, our primary focus at the moment is on building up a fund. While I'm mainly based in Sweden, there's a possibility of spending more time in the USA in the future as we seek opportunities for further expansion.
Lastly, how do you foresee the future of XR technologies, and what role does Immersive Unity aim to play in shaping that future?
XR technologies will profoundly impact our lives in the near future, and only a small percentage of people currently understand the extent of this transformation. We aim to influence this change globally by consolidating interests in XR technologies, creating competence hubs, and facilitating knowledge-sharing among companies in various XR sectors. Our goal is to make a positive difference for developers, enabling them to grow and find meaningful collaborations in this rapidly evolving field.
Kerstin Mühlow is the founder and CEO of ImmersiveUnity. She works with her team and partners in the XR and Metaverse industry. During 25 years as a professional, Kerstin has experience working in all sectors. She has worked at an international level with large telecom and tech companies.
Interview:
What are ImmersiveUnity’s main goals?
At ImmersiveUnity, our primary goals are to support and empower small players in the XR field, fostering entrepreneurship and facilitating their growth. We aim to create a global market presence for XR companies, grouping them into different tech categories like XR Gaming, XR Healthcare, XR Real Estate, XR Industrial training ect. to encourage collaboration and collective development within the industry.
Can you tell us about your role in ImmersiveUnity and your responsibilities as CEO?
As the CEO of ImmersiveUnity, my role involves developing the company by leveraging the global resources we've built. It’s a lot about networking and assisting the people I work with both internally and externally.
Could you share the backstory of ImmersiveUnity's development?
ImmersiveUnity started five years ago when we recognized the evolving landscape of immersive technologies. Anticipating the need for a large developer community to drive this evolution, we began building a global network of virtual and augmented reality developers. Today, we have one of the world's largest VR and AR developer networks, with access to around 70,000 developers in approximately 70 countries.
What led you to consider San Diego as a potential hub for subsidiary development?
San Diego appealed to us because it's an expanding XR tech hub, hosting major companies such as Qualcomm, Apple, and Lenovo representatives. We saw an opportunity to establish a subsidiary there to sell our development services, which is why we started to work with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce.
How do you navigate challenges in XR development, and how do you support small businesses in the industry?
Challenges are inevitable for small businesses, including ours. Access to resources is a common hurdle. We've focused on creating a network of developers globally, not only to sell our services but also to support and connect small XR players. Our goal is to strengthen the XR ecosystem, providing both individual and group support to companies active in the same areas.
Your extensive network is impressive. How crucial is it to your projects?
Our network is the backbone of our company. It's not only an essential resource in building our business but also in identifying and supporting XR companies. It's a two-way street. Many startups encounter common challenges, such as securing adequate resources for rapid growth. We've faced and addressed similar challenges, making our experiences valuable for those we assist.
How do you collaborate with small and large XR companies in San Diego?
While we have good relations with some large companies, they may not fully grasp our initiatives yet. Currently, our primary interactions are with smaller firms. However, we see the potential for collaboration with larger enterprises as they gain a deeper understanding of our work.
You mentioned the possibility of establishing a subsidiary in San Diego. How do you envision balancing your presence between Sweden and the U.S.?
We're currently exploring the idea of establishing a small subsidiary in San Diego, and it's likely to become a reality. However, our primary focus at the moment is on building up a fund. While I'm mainly based in Sweden, there's a possibility of spending more time in the USA in the future as we seek opportunities for further expansion.
Lastly, how do you foresee the future of XR technologies, and what role does Immersive Unity aim to play in shaping that future?
XR technologies will profoundly impact our lives in the near future, and only a small percentage of people currently understand the extent of this transformation. We aim to influence this change globally by consolidating interests in XR technologies, creating competence hubs, and facilitating knowledge-sharing among companies in various XR sectors. Our goal is to make a positive difference for developers, enabling them to grow and find meaningful collaborations in this rapidly evolving field.
SACC San Diego President Suzanne Svahn's Esteemed Encounter with Swedish Crown Princess
We are delighted to share exciting news about our President, Suzanne Svahn's recent participation at a distinguished event for the Swedish community. The gathering occurred at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in collaboration with the Swedish Church, SWEA, SACC, and Silicon Vikings. The occasion was graced by the esteemed presence of Their Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel and Mr. Johan Forssell, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, and Mr. Johan Forssell for honoring us with their presence, making the event both successful and memorable.
Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom extended a warm welcome to Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden during their official four-day visit to California. The royal couple also graced the opening ceremony of the newly established Consulate General of Sweden in San Francisco.
A highlight of their visit was the signing of a Letter of Cooperation (LOC) between California and Sweden, renewing a climate partnership established in 2017. Both regions are committed to aggressive climate action, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2045. The LOC outlines five years of collaboration on crucial aspects such as zero-emissions transportation and infrastructure, local climate action, clean energy, and climate-smart agriculture.
At SACC San Diego, our commitment lies in cultivating connections with governmental and educational entities, advocating for green sustainability, and delving into opportunities within the life science sector. We are especially eager to enhance the partnership between San Diego and Sweden, playing a pivotal role in fostering a sustainable and prosperous future.
We look forward to keeping you updated on our ongoing initiatives and collaborations. Thank you for your continued support, and we are excited about the positive impact we can make together.
If you want to read more about this new Letter of Cooperation, check out this article!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, and Mr. Johan Forssell for honoring us with their presence, making the event both successful and memorable.
Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom extended a warm welcome to Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden during their official four-day visit to California. The royal couple also graced the opening ceremony of the newly established Consulate General of Sweden in San Francisco.
A highlight of their visit was the signing of a Letter of Cooperation (LOC) between California and Sweden, renewing a climate partnership established in 2017. Both regions are committed to aggressive climate action, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2045. The LOC outlines five years of collaboration on crucial aspects such as zero-emissions transportation and infrastructure, local climate action, clean energy, and climate-smart agriculture.
At SACC San Diego, our commitment lies in cultivating connections with governmental and educational entities, advocating for green sustainability, and delving into opportunities within the life science sector. We are especially eager to enhance the partnership between San Diego and Sweden, playing a pivotal role in fostering a sustainable and prosperous future.
We look forward to keeping you updated on our ongoing initiatives and collaborations. Thank you for your continued support, and we are excited about the positive impact we can make together.
If you want to read more about this new Letter of Cooperation, check out this article!
Photos: Clément Morin
BOOZE BROTHERS HAPPY HOUR - JANUARY 31st
Thank you Booze Brothers for hosting such a fun Happy Hour yesterday for SACC San Diego!
As always, it was great catching up with our members and exploring Booze Brother’s Brewery together. It was especially fun to see some new faces last night, we love to grow our Swedish community in San Diego.
Don’t worry if you couldn’t make it to this gathering as we have several events planned this year. Keep an eye out here on our website or our social media channels for more information. We hope to see you next time!
If you want to learn more about Booze Brothers and their Brewery, check out their website here: https://www.boozebros.com
As always, it was great catching up with our members and exploring Booze Brother’s Brewery together. It was especially fun to see some new faces last night, we love to grow our Swedish community in San Diego.
Don’t worry if you couldn’t make it to this gathering as we have several events planned this year. Keep an eye out here on our website or our social media channels for more information. We hope to see you next time!
If you want to learn more about Booze Brothers and their Brewery, check out their website here: https://www.boozebros.com
Generalkonsulatet i san francisco har öppnat
Varför öppnar Sverige ett generalkonsulat i San Francisco?
Ett generalkonsulat i San Francisco förstärker Sveriges närvaro på USA:s västkust och därmed möjligheterna att bedriva ett aktivt handels- och Sverigefrämjande, samt ge konsulärt stöd i verksamhetsområdet. Kalifornien är med ca 40 miljoner invånare världens femte största ekonomi. Delstaten har länge utgjort ett nav för teknologisk innovation, forskning och industriutveckling, IT-industri, AI och kulturella, kreativa näringar som dataspel, film och musik. De svenska intressena i delstaten är starka och växer. I dagsläget finns över 100 svenska företag representerade vilka tillsammans skapar fler än 43 000 arbetstillfällen. Den svenska utlandsrepresentationen anpassas kontinuerligt i förhållande till förändringar i omvärlden, samt ändrade krav och behov i syfte att skapa bästa möjliga förutsättningar för genomförande av svensk utrikespolitik och att främja svenska intressen i utlandet. |
Hur kommer verksamhetsområdet för det nya generalkonsulatet i San Francisco se ut?
Generalkonsulatets verksamhets- och konsulära ansvarområde avses vara Kalifornien och Hawaii.
När öppnar generalkonsulatet och var kommer det att ligga?
Generalkonsulatet väntas öppna i början januari 2024. Under hösten 2023 finns personal på plats för att arbeta med etableringen. Generalkonsulatet kommer att ligga i San Franciscos finansiella distrikt.
Under etableringsfasen hänvisas personer i behov av konsulärt stöd fortsatt till ambassaden i Washington och honorärkonsulatet i San Francisco.
Vilken är huvudinriktningen i generalkonsulatets uppdrag?
Huvudinriktningen är handels- och Sverigefrämjande. Generalkonsulatet kommer också att ge konsulärt stöd med passverksamhet i verksamhetsområdet.
Kommer svenskar att kunna söka pass vid generalkonsulatet?
Ja. Svenska medborgare kommer att kunna söka både ordinarie och provisoriska pass vid generalkonsulatet. Passverksamheten väntas komma i gång första kvartalet 2024. Då generalkonsulatet är en liten myndighet kommer kapaciteten vara begränsad.
Tills vidare hänvisas svenskar som vill söka ordinarie pass till ambassaden i Washington eller generalkonsulatet i New York. Honorärkonsulatet i San Francisco finns kvar under etableringstiden och hanterar provisoriska pass och övriga konsulära frågor tills dess att generalkonsulatet öppnar.
För mer information gällande generalkonsulatet i San Francisco, tryck här.
Generalkonsulatets verksamhets- och konsulära ansvarområde avses vara Kalifornien och Hawaii.
När öppnar generalkonsulatet och var kommer det att ligga?
Generalkonsulatet väntas öppna i början januari 2024. Under hösten 2023 finns personal på plats för att arbeta med etableringen. Generalkonsulatet kommer att ligga i San Franciscos finansiella distrikt.
Under etableringsfasen hänvisas personer i behov av konsulärt stöd fortsatt till ambassaden i Washington och honorärkonsulatet i San Francisco.
Vilken är huvudinriktningen i generalkonsulatets uppdrag?
Huvudinriktningen är handels- och Sverigefrämjande. Generalkonsulatet kommer också att ge konsulärt stöd med passverksamhet i verksamhetsområdet.
Kommer svenskar att kunna söka pass vid generalkonsulatet?
Ja. Svenska medborgare kommer att kunna söka både ordinarie och provisoriska pass vid generalkonsulatet. Passverksamheten väntas komma i gång första kvartalet 2024. Då generalkonsulatet är en liten myndighet kommer kapaciteten vara begränsad.
Tills vidare hänvisas svenskar som vill söka ordinarie pass till ambassaden i Washington eller generalkonsulatet i New York. Honorärkonsulatet i San Francisco finns kvar under etableringstiden och hanterar provisoriska pass och övriga konsulära frågor tills dess att generalkonsulatet öppnar.
För mer information gällande generalkonsulatet i San Francisco, tryck här.
interview
with lane sharman
INTERVIEW WITH LANE SHARMAN
We got the opportunity to have an interview with Lane Sharman, from Open Door Management. The interview covered a range of topics related to achieving 24-7 renewables instead of annual true-ups and the essence of thermal energy storage. Lane provided a wealth of information on the subject. Overall, the conversation provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and potential solutions to achieving 24-7 renewables with annual true-ups. Read the interview here! Thank you Lane for sharing your knowledge! |
spring interns 2024
SPRING INTERNS 2024
SACC San Diego is pleased to welcome two new interns to the chamber for the upcoming fall of 2024! First, we have Amanda Berglund who will handle Finance & Operations. To get in touch with her, email: operations@sacc-sandiego.org Next, Charlotte Lindberg, is our new Business Development & Life Science intern. Any questions? Email: development@sacc-sandiego.org Lastly, if you have any questions regarding our Marketing or other events, please reach out to: marketing@sacc-sandiego.org We strongly believe they will be great assets to the chamber! |
new president of SACC San Diego
Suzanne Svahn
PRESIDENT OF SACC SAN DIEGO
Please welcome Suzanne Svahn as the new President of SACC San Diego! Suzanne Svahn is a licensed REALTOR® with a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, originally from Gothenburg, Sweden. She graduated from SDSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is actively involved in the Swedish community in San Diego. As the President of SACC San Diego, she aims to enhance the organization's relationships with Sweden, San Diego, and beyond. Read more about her on our blog here! Thank you Suzanne, the Chamber is so grateful to have you! |