October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month – We live in a time where we are constantly reminded that digital security is not an option, but a prerequisite. At Upgraded People AB we see a clear increase in demand for security specialists but we also notice an increase in demand for developers such as: senior backend developers, Dynamics 365 specialists, and frontend developers with UX/UI skills.

But with these roles also comes a responsibility for secure code:

• Backend developers often build the core of mission-critical systems. Here, an innocent mistake in the code can become a door for cyberattacks.
• Dynamics 365 developers work closely with business processes and sensitive data – making every integration a potential risk point if security is not included from the start.
• Frontend developers shape the user’s digital experience. A nice design is not enough – security, secure authentication and protection against attacks are part of the total user experience.

This shows a clear trend: Security is no longer a separate specialist role, but something every developer must carry with them in their daily work.

At Upgraded People AB, we believe in combining technical excellence with a security-conscious mindset. It’s about coding smart, building sustainably, and seeing security as an integral part of the development process.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is therefore a good reminder for all of us in the industry: security starts in the code – and it is the responsibility of every developer.

Does your company need reinforcement in cybersecurity or developers who think security from the start? Contact us at Upgraded People AB.

Upgraded People has won an important framework agreement with Mälardalstrafik as a supplier of consultancy services. The agreement extends over eight years and is estimated to be worth approximately SEK 80 million.

Mälardalstrafik is responsible for public transport in the Mälardal region and has a central role in developing the sustainable travel of the future. Through the new agreement, Upgraded People will provide specialist expertise to ensure a flexible and qualitative supply of skills.

“That Mälardalstrafik has given us the trust in such a comprehensive and long-term deal is an important step for us. It shows that our model for consultancy agency meets the high demands of one of Sweden’s most dynamic public transport operators. We look forward to being part of their important development journey,” says Birgitta Hedegård, CEO of Upgraded People.

With this agreement, Upgraded People continues to strengthen its position as a strategic partner to the public sector, where the need for long-term and flexible solutions for skills supply is great.

About Upgraded People

Upgraded People is one of Northern Europe’s fastest growing companies in skills supply and strategic staffing. We offer tailor-made solutions that match the right skills with the right context – always with people at the center. Our clients are in both the public and private sectors, and we deliver resources in Sweden, Germany, Norway and Denmark. With over 1,200 consultants on assignment, we help organizations achieve their goals and visions in a sustainable way.

After the summer, we see that the market has started up at a faster pace than compared to the first half of the year, even though the market is still volatile. Thanks to our broad industry exposure, geographical spread and our large network of suppliers, we can balance market challenges in certain industry segments while supporting industries with high needs such as defense, banking and insurance, infrastructure and a public sector that is showing increasing strength.

Our focus forward

As we enter the fall, we will continue to work on our success factors and what makes us unique. It’s about being personal, building long-term relationships, and being the best in the industry at matching the right assignments with the right skills.

Lessons from the first half of the year

The first half of the year has given us clear evidence that we are on the right track. We continue to grow at double-digit rates and create footprints where we truly add value. With our eyes on the future, we transform challenges into inspiration and opportunities.

Ambitious goals for the fall

We strive to continue to gain market share while building an even stronger team and a culture that equips us for the future. The world around us is changing at an unprecedented pace, which places greater demands on agility and rapid movement in companies. Here we have a clear place as a facilitator and enabler.

Positive signals from the market

The market continues to gradually strengthen. We see a clear trend where more roles in operations and project management are in demand, while specialist skills remain important. The increasing demand for operations and project management skills is an indicator that more initiatives are being started, as these skills are always in demand in the early phases of projects.

Knowledge that strengthens the team

In addition to strengthening the organization with more fantastic colleagues for the fall, we continue to run our forums for broadening our skills, where we learn and develop each other for increased market and process insight, which will further increase our efficiency. In order for us to succeed in this, everyone’s contribution is important. No ideas are too small, often it is in the small suggestions that the biggest gains are found. When we share, inspire each other and dare to develop together, we grow both as a company and as individuals.

Work hard, play hard

The key to further bonding the team and strengthening collaboration and energy is simple and well-known: Work hard, Play hard. When we combine professionalism with laughter, personality and community, both internally and in our customer and supplier relationships, that’s when we are at our very best.

Says Birgitta Hedegård, CEO of Upgraded People.

Upgraded has been awarded a new framework agreement with Strängnäs Municipality for consulting services within IT and business and organizational development. The agreement extends over two years with the possibility of extension for another two years, and has a ceiling volume of SEK 25 million. The agreement is scheduled to start on August 1, 2025.

The agreement is signed with a total of five suppliers and is part of Strängnäs Municipality’s effort to strengthen its digital development and streamline operations through modernization and organizational improvements.

This is one of several new agreements that Upgraded has signed with municipalities around Sweden during the year. Most recently in May, the company announced a new agreement with the municipality of Höganäs.

“The fact that we are now trusted to deliver to Strängnäs Municipality is yet another confirmation that our expertise and our way of working meet the municipalities’ needs for sustainable development and digital transformation. We look forward to contributing our experience and energy to their important work,” says Birgitta Hedegård, CEO at Upgraded.

With the new agreement, Upgraded consolidates its position as a reliable partner to the public sector in both IT and organizational development.

About Upgraded People

Upgraded People is one of Northern Europe’s fastest growing companies in skills supply and strategic staffing. We offer tailor-made solutions that match the right skills with the right context – always with people at the center. Our clients are in both the public and private sectors, and we deliver resources in Sweden, Germany, Norway and Denmark. With over 1,100 consultants on assignment, we help organizations achieve their goals and visions in a sustainable way.

Upgraded People continues its strong growth journey and has a turnover of SEK 930 million during the first six months of the year – an increase of 10.7% compared to the same period in 2024. The company stands by its goal of reaching an annual turnover of over SEK 2 billion in 2025.

– We see a continued positive trend where we are gaining market share and strengthening our position in several of our markets. It is a clear testament to our strong offering and the team’s ability to deliver value to both clients and candidates, says Birgitta Hedegård, CEO of Upgraded People.

During the first half of the year, Upgraded People has welcomed several new customers. In particular, the company has strengthened its position in the public sector through assignments for several municipalities. Existing customers also continue to show their trust – among others, Chalmers has signed a new framework agreement for the coming period.

Growth is driven by increasing demand for the company’s services in skills provision and strategic staffing, together with a broadened offering and improved processes.

Continued expansion in Sweden and internationally
The company sees growing interest from both the Swedish market and internationally – especially in Germany, Norway and Denmark. Despite geopolitical unrest and trade discussions with the US, Upgraded People does not see any negative impact, but rather an increased inflow of inquiries.

Demand is strong across several industry segments, including banking and insurance, defense, infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing. Areas such as cyber defense and organizational and management services are also growing in importance.

– We are convinced that success is created through long-term, value-creating collaborations. By combining action, innovation and new thinking, we create solutions that make a difference – for individuals, organizations and society, continues Birgitta Hedegård.

About Upgraded People

Upgraded People is one of Northern Europe’s fastest growing companies in skills supply and strategic staffing. We offer tailor-made solutions that match the right skills with the right context – always with people at the center. Our clients are in both the public and private sectors, and we deliver resources in Sweden, Germany, Norway and Denmark. With over 1,100 consultants on assignment, we help organizations achieve their goals and visions in a sustainable way.

Economic situation – Global economic uncertainty shapes growth prospects

The global economy is in an uncertain situation where factors such as geopolitical tensions, currency uncertainty, global trade conflicts and tariff threats play a decisive role. The war in Ukraine, Gaza and the instability in the Middle East contribute to unrest in energy and commodity markets, affecting logistics and supply chains. Right-wing governments in Europe tend to prioritize domestic investments, which can affect innovation support, public procurement and growth initiatives. For Sweden, which is one of Europe’s most export-dependent countries, developments in international markets are of central importance.

In Sweden, the weaker market situation persisted during the first quarter of 2025 and the economic situation is characterized by a continued recession but with signs of a gradual recovery. The inflation rate is slowing in Sweden, which opens the way for more interest rate cuts during the year. The first quarter has been characterized by a continued uncertain global situation with significant fluctuations in both the Swedish and global economies, which has characterized the business climate and affected the willingness to invest in most industries.

However, banks are delivering strong results thanks to high interest rates and low loan losses.

The industry is showing resilience, especially in automation and engineering. However, the automotive sector is under pressure.

Market overview IT and consulting industry

The IT industry is seeing a lukewarm start to 2025. Despite the current economic situation, digitalization and new technology continue to be strong driving forces within the industry.

The IT economy is expected to grow by 4.2% in 2025, equivalent to SEK 10 billion. Companies are expected to increase their IT investments again, especially in business-financed IT.

The information and communications sector, including telecommunications and information services, is showing strong growth.

Within the public sector, demand for IT consultants is stable, especially for digitalization expertise and e-government.

According to the Swedish Technology Association, order intake for the technology industry is increasing, but to a lesser extent than in the previous quarter. However, the number of employees in Tech has decreased slightly in early 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Fragmented market with large variations

The demand for IT consultants remains high, but the market is fragmented and characterized by large variations depending on region, industry and areas of expertise. However, the volume of assignments is decreasing sharply, especially in general areas of expertise such as testing, front-end and project management. There are fewer inquiries and longer sales cycles

In Stockholm and the east, demand is high even though requirements and competition have increased.

The Gothenburg market and the west have been characterized by continued restraint and a more wait-and-see market. The automotive sector continues to show weak signals. The major players remain cautious even though expectations for the future are becoming increasingly positive.

In the south, and especially Malmö, growth and signs of gradual recovery are visible, although there is increased caution among decision-makers and many customers are cautious.

General trends are that companies continue to optimize their resources with strict budgets and a focus on finding the right skills. Competition in the consulting market remains tough. A clear trend is that requirements specifications have increased and that clients are increasingly looking for consultants who can handle multiple roles in one. The market for IT consultants is changing with high demand for cutting-edge skills and value creation. Clear offerings and ROI focus are central.

AI and cybersecurity continue to be hot topics and there is still a high demand for AI specialists. Among the most in-demand skills are AI, business system skills, Data Science and Data Engineering. There is also a continued high demand for IT and Tech specialists, especially within specific roles and areas of expertise. According to TechSverige, approximately 18,000 new specialists will be needed annually until 2028.

Opportunities in the crisis

The recession is ongoing and economic growth remains low during the first half of this year as uncertainty about future economic developments holds back private consumption and corporate investment. The National Institute of Economic Research estimates that the recovery is expected to begin in the second half of this year, but uncertainty is high and there is a risk that the weak economic development will continue longer than forecast. The future is uncertain but full of potential. Adaptation is key and it is important to understand the challenges and opportunities of the market.

Birgitta Hedegård, VD