Daijiworld Media Network - Sweden
Sweden, Feb 26: Abhijith Nag Balasubramanyam, an Indian entrepreneur, has been compelled to sell his thriving Swedish startup and return to India, citing what he described as a “hostile” and “xenophobic” immigration system. The development comes as Sweden tightens its citizenship and immigration rules ahead of its parliamentary elections in September.
Abhijith founded Hydro Space Sweden AB in May 2025, a microgreens company aimed at strengthening local food security in northern Sweden. Within six months, the venture had created local jobs and won strong customer approval. However, despite the startup’s success, his immigration case faced repeated hurdles from Migrationsverket, the Swedish Migration Agency responsible for work and residence permits.
In a detailed LinkedIn post, Abhijith described his ordeal, accusing the agency of “gross incompetence” and a lack of transparency. He alleged officials handling his case had “zero business acumen,” repeatedly changed grounds for rejection, and failed to provide clear guidance on the documentation process.
"I have sold the company as I am being forced to leave the country by the end of this month. This isn’t an exit by choice. It is an eviction by an incompetent and increasingly hostile state apparatus," he wrote.
He further highlighted the emotional toll of the process, saying the uncertainty had severely affected his mental health, prompting him to step back and return to India rather than engage in a legal battle.
Abhijith’s experience raises questions about Sweden’s positioning as a “startup-friendly” nation. While the country has promoted itself as an innovation hub open to global talent, he argued that the reality for international founders is far less welcoming.
The incident coincides with Sweden’s recent tightening of citizenship requirements, now mandating an eight-year stay for applicants along with strict language and cultural tests, up from five years previously. The Swedish migration agency has not publicly responded to Abhijith’s claims.
Despite the setback, Abhijith expressed hope for a break to focus on his mental health and professional future in India, describing his exit as a reluctant but necessary decision.