About SACC Minnesota
Who Are We?
SACC Minnesota is a trusted, non-profit, non-partisan business network rooted in Swedish-American ties. We are a community of business professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators dedicated to fostering international collaboration, innovation, and sustainable business growth.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to connect, promote, and empower businesses to thrive across borders. We:
Connect businesses with opportunities & partnerships
Promote business growth, investment, and innovation
Offer events, networking opportunities, thought leadership forums and sponsorships
Support members’ growth through advocacy and promotion
Our Mission
Our mission is to enhance trade, commerce, and investments between Sweden and the Upper Midwest by pairing Swedish Innovation with the US market and capital for business growth.
We Create Market Opportunity
With megatrends shifting rapidly, adopting a forward-thinking model is essential. Our approach provides businesses with networking opportunities, events, programs and sponsorships to create visibility, connections and long-term sustainable growth.
Through our membership, you gain exclusive access to local and international business networks, trade delegations, nationwide chamber connections, events, programs, and promotional opportunities.
Members and sponsors play an active role in strengthening economic development and building the transatlantic business bridge between Sweden and Minnesota.
Swedish History in Minnesota
Strengthening the Bond between Sweden and Minnesota
From Heritage to Innovation
When Swedish immigrants first came to Minnesota, they brought with them enduring values of community, resilience, and hard work.
These principles shaped the foundation of our state, influencing everything from our neighborhoods, schools to our industries and our way of life. Generations later, their legacy lives on—more than 430,000 Minnesotans proudly trace their roots back to Sweden. Today, we honor that heritage not only by remembering the past, but by looking to the future.
Just as Swedish immigrants helped build Minnesota, we now invite Sweden’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to join us in shaping the next chapter of our shared story. Together, our Swedish community has never been stronger, and we aim for economic growth, advancing innovation, and strengthening the timeless bond between Sweden and Minnesota for generations to come.
Since 1992, our goal has been to drive impact by uniting business leaders through high-impact innovation, gaining strategic insights and unlocking the possibility for business growth for our members.
Minnesota: A top tier state
Beyond heritage, Minnesota offers a resilient and diverse economy, it is home to major Fortune 500 and Forbes Corporations, with world-class talent and a dynamic business climate.
Resilient, diverse economy
Fiscal health amongst the best
GDP(2024): $507B
Higher income, lower unemployment
Home to major Corporations
17 Fortune 500 | 12 Forbes
4th in the nation in Fortune 500 / 1M people
Education & Workforce Strength
Top 10 in Higher Education
Strong Research & STEM focus
Leader in innovation
5th in the nation and 1st in the Midwest in patent registrations per 1M people
Recognized globally in 2 areas >$100B contribution to GDP
>1,000 companies in Healthcare
>8,000 companies in Advanced Manufacturing (food, metals & computers)
Minnesota a strategic location for global companies
Corporate Hub, Business friendly, Strategic location centrally located in the US, Global access, Talent pipeline, resilient economy
Minnesota’s Corporate Powerhouses
Minnesota's strength is economic diversity, matched with our innate collaboration that drives a diverse ecosystem of businesses that support our Fortune 500 companies and fuel the next generation of innovation makes your growth potential here unstoppable.
Key Industries
Advanced Manufacturing
Life Sciences
Clean Tech & Renewable Energy
Food Production & Agriculture
Technology & Innovation
Services Supporting our Ecosystem
World Class Retail
Finance & Insurance Ecosystem
17 Fortune 500 companies
UnitedHealth Group $400B
Target $107B
Best Buy $43.5B
CHS $39B
U.S. Bancorp $27.5B
3M $24.5B
General Mills $20B
Others: Ameriprise Financials, C.H. Robinson, Land O’Lakes, Ecolab, Xcel Energy, Hormel Foods, Thrivent, Solventum, Securian, Fastenal
Fortune’s “Next 500 List”
Pentair, Toro
Revenue figures reflect 2024 results.
12 Forbes companies
Cargill – Largest private U.S. company $160B
Mortenson Construction
Carlson Companies
Andersen Corporation
Schwan Food Co.l
Sweden Means Business in Minnesota
Swedish companies have a long and impactful history in Minnesota—ranging from heritage brands to today’s high-tech innovators. The state is home to a strong and diverse Swedish business presence, spanning advanced manufacturing, technology, design, retail, and engineering.
Mentioned are some of the Swedish companies contributing to Minnesota’s dynamic business landscape. Together, these companies represent the strong commercial ties between Sweden and Minnesota—from industrial know-how to cutting-edge innovation.
Major Swedish Companies in Minnesota
IKEA
Securitas
Trelleborg
Tetra Pak
ABB
Skanska
SSAB
Hexagon
Nefab
H&M
Axis Communications
EdgeConneX
Additional Swedish-affiliated companies:
IFS, Asmodee, FVB Energy, Pagero, Symetri, Loomis, Fjällräven, Stena, COS, Hästens, Polygon, FVB, Camfil, Technia, Neo Monitors, Tractel, Modular Management, PHS West, BTS, Mercury Urval, Sittab and more.
Take Your Business Opportunities to the Next Level
Are you looking to expand your business into the U.S.—or specifically into Minnesota? SACC Minnesota is here to support your journey. Connect with us at info@saccmn.org to learn how we can assist, or explore the full range of benefits on our Membership page.