News
Target to Bring Swedish Candy to Stores Nationwide
Beginning in September 2026, Target, headquartered in Minneapolis, will bring BonBon's premium Swedish candy to approximately 1,956 stores across the United States. With approximately $107.4 billion in annual revenue, Target's decision to carry authentic Swedish candy marks a significant milestone for Swedish brands expanding in the U.S. retail market.
Founded by Swedish entrepreneurs, BonBon has introduced American consumers to the Swedish tradition of lördagsgodis, or "Saturday candy," with premium sweets inspired by Scandinavian flavors and craftsmanship. The nationwide rollout through one of America's largest retailers reflects the growing popularity of Swedish products and food culture across the United States.
This announcement also highlights the strong and growing commercial relationship between Minnesota and Sweden. As a Minnesota-headquartered company with a national footprint, Target's partnership with BonBon demonstrates the increasing demand for Swedish innovation, brands, and consumer products in the U.S. market.
At the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota, we are proud to celebrate partnerships that strengthen the economic ties between Minnesota and Sweden and create new opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
Congratulations to BonBon and Target on this exciting partnership!
What Can We Learn from Sweden’s Remarkable Transformation?
Over the past 30 years, Sweden has built one of the world's strongest and most innovative economies. As Fareed Zakaria highlights in a recent episode of Fareed Zakaria GPS, that success did not happen by accident.
Sweden's transformation began with a willingness to confront challenges head-on, adapt to change, embrace new technologies, and implement reforms that worked. Rather than standing still, the Country continually asked a simple question: "What works?"
That mindset has helped Sweden become home to globally recognized unicorn startups such as Spotify, Skype and Klarna while consistently ranking among the world's innovation economies.
One of the most compelling takeaways from Fareed's report is that Sweden's strength lies not only in its engineering talent (both technological and social), but also in its ability to build consensus, evolve, and prepare for the future.
These qualities have long been at the heart of the relationship between Minnesota and Sweden. At the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota, we believe there is tremendous value in sharing ideas, learning from one another, and strengthening cross-Atlantic collaboration to help businesses and communities thrive.
We encourage you to listen to Fareed Zakaria's five-minute report beginning at 34:20 in the latest episode of Fareed Zakaria GPS:
https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/fareed-zakaria-gps
Or see the video clip on the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/fareedzakaria/videos/1613298340368584/
Building a Business Growth Corridor With APEX
The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota is proud to be featured by APEX, highlighting our growing partnership to strengthen international business connections between Sweden and Northern Minnesota.
The feature showcases our shared commitment to promoting investment, innovation, and collaboration while connecting Swedish businesses with opportunities across the Northland. Together, SACC-MN and APEX are working to open a business growth corridor for trade and to highlight the region's strengths in advanced manufacturing, forestry, critical minerals, energy, maritime industries, and other sectors where Swedish expertise aligns with regional opportunities.
Our partnership reflects a shared vision of creating stronger international connections and expanding opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and helping build lasting relationships between Sweden and the Northland.
We encourage you to read the full feature and learn more about APEX and our partnership:
SACC-MN Team Visits Tetra Pak Winsted Campus
The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota recently had the opportunity to visit Tetra Pak, at the Minnesota campus in Winsted, and learn more about the company's commitment to innovation, food safety, and sustainable food production.
At Tetra Pak, the mission is to make food safe and available everywhere while protecting food, people, and the planet. From its Minnesota facility, the company engineers and manufactures advanced food processing systems for the production of milk, cheese, juice, and other food and beverage products, serving customers across North America and around the world.
With more than 24,000 employees in over 160 countries, Tetra Pak is a global leader whose decision to establish and continue manufacturing in Winsted is a testament to Minnesota's global competitiveness, and also reflects the strong and lasting business ties between Sweden and our state.
Be sure to watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at how Tetra Pak uses innovative milk processing technology and how the company is helping make milk safe and available around the world.
We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with Tetra Pak and highlighting the innovation and leadership of Swedish companies across Minnesota.
Minnesota Ranks Among America’s Top States for Business
Minnesota continues to earn national recognition as one of the best places in the United States to do business.
According to CNBC's 2026 America's Top States for Business rankings, Minnesota climbed to #5 overall, highlighting the state's strength as a destination for business growth, innovation, and investment. Even more impressive, Minnesota has maintained an average ranking in the top five nationally over the past 20 years.
The rankings recognize many of the qualities that businesses value most, including a strong economy (#8), top-tier infrastructure (#7), exceptional quality of life (#4), and one of the nation's most educated workforces (#10).
For the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota, these results reinforce what we already know: Minnesota offers an outstanding environment for Swedish companies looking to enter the US market, invest, expand, and build long-term partnerships. We look forward to continuing to strengthen the business growth corridor between Minnesota and Sweden and showcasing the opportunities our state has to offer.
Minnesota Ranked #1 in Quality of Life
A recent study by the State of the Nation Project ranked Minnesota as the #1 state in the U.S. for overall quality of life, evaluating all 50 states across 31 measures, including health, education, economic opportunity, safety, and civic engagement.
The ranking highlights what many businesses already recognize: Minnesota offers an exceptional environment for employee satisfaction, innovation, investment, and long-term growth.
For the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota, this recognition reinforces why the state continues to be an attractive destination for Swedish companies looking to expand in the Upper Midwest.
We are proud to support the growing business connections between Sweden and Minnesota and the opportunities they create for both communities.
Sustainability Is No Longer a Specialty,It's a Leadership Imperative
In today's AI-driven era, as businesses increasingly automate processes and invest in high-capacity data centers around the world, sustainability is no longer a specialty, it's a leadership imperative.
Our partner, Nordic Scholars, recently shared a thought-provoking article by Founder and CEO Megan Penhoet exploring why sustainability must be viewed not as a specialized function, but as a core leadership responsibility.
As environmental, social, and governance priorities become increasingly central to business strategy, effective leadership is essential for driving innovation, building resilience, and creating long-term value. Megan's insights highlight the importance of equipping leaders to navigate today's complex global challenges while embedding sustainability into decision-making at every level.
We encourage you to read the full article and explore this timely perspective on the future of sustainable leadership.
SACC-MN Cheers on Sweden at World Cup Watch Party!
The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota (SACC-MN) was excited to bring members and friends together at Brit’s Pub to cheer on Sweden during the FIFA World Cup.
The watch party created a fun and energetic atmosphere as Sweden supporters gathered to connect, celebrate, and cheer on Sweden. Events like this are a meaningful reminder that SACC-MN is not only about business connections, but also about building community and strengthening the ties between Minnesota and Sweden.
We are also excited to celebrate Sweden advancing to the Round of 32. Congratulations to the Swedish national team on this achievement, and thank you to everyone who joined us to make the watch party such a memorable event.
SACC-MN looks forward to continuing to bring our community together through future networking events and opportunities to strengthen the connections between Minnesota and Sweden.
Heja Sverige!
SACC-MN Board Meets to Advance Strategic Initiatives
The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota Board of Directors recently gathered to discuss ongoing initiatives and future opportunities to strengthen business, cultural, and educational connections between Minnesota and Sweden.
The meeting focused on upcoming events, member engagement, strategic partnerships, university outreach, and new opportunities to support Swedish-American collaboration throughout the region. Board members also reviewed current projects and discussed ways to continue delivering meaningful value to members, partners, and the broader community.
As SACC-MN continues to grow, the Board remains committed to fostering innovation, expanding international relationships, and creating opportunities for businesses, professionals, and students to connect across borders.
We thank our Board members for their continued leadership and dedication to advancing SACC-MN's mission.
Building Connections Between Sweden and Minnesota
The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota recently visited Duluth and Superior as part of a familiarization tour organized in partnership with APEX (the regional economic development organization serving Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin) to explore opportunities for collaboration, investment, and business growth.
SACC-MN Chair Astrid Mozes and Board Member Carl-Johan Torarp initiated the visit to strengthen connections between Swedish businesses and the Upper Midwest while learning more about the industries and organizations driving growth in Northern Minnesota.
The visit included business roundtables, networking opportunities, and tours of Exodus Global, Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna, and the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, providing insight into the region’s strengths in manufacturing, transportation, and innovation.
As part of this partnership, APEX President and CEO Rachel Johnson also joined an SACC-MN webinar to discuss economic trends and future opportunities across the Northland.
What started as an introduction is already developing into a relationship focused on creating opportunities, shared learning, and stronger ties between Sweden and the Upper Midwest.
NSLI Alumni Programs Present
Our SACC-MN Chair,Astrid Mozes, is honored to speak to the 2025 Nordic Scholars.
Leadership doesn’t start in the boardroom. It starts much earlier, in how we invest in talent. It's about developing people who can navigate complexity and turn ideas into meaningful impact.
Programs like the Nordic Scholars initiative play a critical role in shaping that next generation. By connecting emerging talent with global business leaders and real-world experience, they don’t just teach leadership; they activate it.
For more information, please join our young professionals network on this link: https://www.saccmn.org/memberships
Rise to the Challenge by Marlene M. Johnson
In her powerful memoir Rise to the Challenge, Marlene Johnson reflects on her groundbreaking journey as Minnesota’s first woman lieutenant governor, a role she assumed after more than a decade as a business owner.
With deep Swedish roots and parents who were first-generation Americans, her leadership story is shaped by heritage, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to public service. Throughout the book, Johnson shares how she challenged political norms, opened doors for women and people of color, and worked to ensure leadership opportunities extended beyond traditional circles of power.
Guided by an open-minded and inclusive approach, she helped reshape civic leadership across Minnesota.
As Johnson writes, “Leadership is not about waiting for permission. It is about stepping forward, creating space for others, and having the courage to stand by your values.”
Her memoir ultimately serves as a message to young people and emerging leaders: pursue your passion, build expertise, and remain anchored in integrity. Meaningful change, she reminds us, comes from persistence, courage, and a willingness to lead differently.
Nordic Scholars Leadership Institute
The Nordic Scholars Leadership Institute (NSLI) is a nonprofit leadership organization dedicated to developing the next generation of American leaders through Nordic values of integrity, collaboration, and civic responsibility.
NSLI works with highly accomplished scholars and early-career professionals who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and deep expertise in their fields. Through a highly selective admissions process, the institute identifies individuals ready to move beyond strong academic performance and into principled leadership roles across business, government, innovation, and civil society. Ethical leadership, community responsibility, and long-term societal impact are central to its programs.
With strong ties to Sweden and the broader Nordic region, NSLI maintains close relationships with respected Nordic institutions and leaders, reinforcing a shared commitment to trust-based leadership and sustainable professional ecosystems.
“NSLI’s mission aligns closely with SACC Minnesota’s goal of strengthening Swedish American professional networks and preserving Nordic leadership values in the United States”, says Megan Penhoet, Founder of NSLI. "Together, both organizations contribute to building a durable, values-driven transatlantic leadership pipeline."
As NSLI expands into Minnesota, there is strong alignment with SACC Minnesota’s Young Professionals Program. Together, we can connect immersive Nordic leadership education with sustained engagement in the Swedish American business community, strengthening the next generation of transatlantic leaders.