Upgraded People increases sales to SEK 491 million in the first quarter of 2026 and strengthens earnings by 28 percent

Upgraded People begins 2026 with continued growth and improved profitability. During the first quarter of the year, sales increased by 4.4 percent to SEK 491 million, compared to SEK 470 million in the corresponding period last year. At the same time, earnings increased by 28.0 percent.

The consulting brokerage segment is affected by several parallel market factors. The Swedish economy is in a gradual recovery, but companies’ investment decisions are still characterized by caution. At the same time, digitalization, AI, efficiency programs and the public sector’s continued need for skills are creating demand for specialists in areas where internal capacity is often insufficient.

For consulting brokers, this means that the market is not only driven by volume, but to a greater extent by relevance and matching quality. Customers are demanding shorter lead times, better selection, clearer pricing and greater security of delivery. In this environment, Upgraded People’s development in the first quarter is particularly strong: the company is growing from a high level, while the result is increasing significantly faster than sales.

The development is taking place in a market that is gradually showing signs of recovery, but where consultancy buyers remain selective, cost-conscious and clearly focused on business-critical competence. The National Institute of Economic Research estimates that the recovery in the Swedish economy will continue in 2026, even though growth slowed in the first quarter. At the same time, Almega’s services indicator shows that growth in the private services sector has strengthened, with particularly good demand in certain business services.

For consulting brokers and consulting intermediaries, this means a market with clear contrasts. After several quarters of caution among customers, there is an improved level of activity, but competition remains high and assignments are won to a greater extent through precision, accessibility and the ability to quickly match the right specialist expertise to the right need.

Against this backdrop, Upgraded People’s first quarter shows a stable development. Sales growth exceeds the broader growth rate in the private services sector, while the profit improvement indicates a more efficient business, good cost control and continued demand for the company’s consulting brokerage model. Upgraded People reported sales of SEK 470 million in the first quarter of 2025, which makes the year’s level of SEK 491 million a continued increase from a very strong comparison period.

– We are proud to start the year with both growth and clearly improved results. The market is not easy, but it rewards players who understand customer needs, have access to the right expertise and can act quickly. Our development during the first quarter shows that Upgraded People continues to be relevant in a market where quality, accuracy and long-term relationships are becoming increasingly important, says Christoffer Svensson, Team Lead Consulting Agency at Upgraded People.

Upgraded People is an independent consultancy agency and consultant matching specialists and has worked for 16 years with the appointment of business-critical competence with a focus on IT, digitalization, technology, management and the service sector. The company works without its own employed consultants and instead matches clients’ needs with specialists from a broad network of freelance consultants and consulting companies.

– Our position is built on the combination of a strong consulting network, deep understanding of our customers’ businesses and a process that makes consulting procurement both efficient and transparent. During the first quarter, we have seen that customers continue to invest in expertise when the needs are clear and linked to business-critical initiatives, says Christoffer Svensson.

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 1,600 consultants on assignment, we help organizations achieve their goals and visions in a sustainable way.