'Exiting not by choice': Indian founder sells startup in Sweden, returns to India calling immigration 'hostile' & 'dysfunctional'

An Indian entrepreneur in Sweden has stepped down as founder and CEO of his startup, sold the business, and returned to India, blaming what he described as a “hostile” and “dysfunctional” immigration system. Abhijith Nag Balasubramanya, who built a microgreens company in Skellefteå, said he was forced to leave the country after his case with the Swedish Migration Agency did not go in his favour.

Who is Abhijith Nag Balasubramanya?

Abhijith Nag Balasubramanya is an Indian engineer and entrepreneur who founded Hydro Space Sweden AB, a microgreens company based in the Swedish city of Skellefteå. He launched the venture with a focus on producing fresh greens and strengthening local food security in northern Sweden.

Balasubramanya said he built the company from scratch in just six months and created local jobs in the process. The startup’s first harvest received a positive response from customers in the region.

Why did he leave Sweden?

In a LinkedIn post, Balasubramanya said he had no choice but to leave Sweden after issues with the Swedish Migration Agency, known locally as Migrationsverket.

“Today, I am officially stepping down as Founder and CEO of Hydro Space Sweden AB. I have sold the company as I am being forced to leave the country by the end of this month,” he wrote.

He added: “This isn't an exit by choice. It is an eviction by an incompetent and increasingly hostile state apparatus.”

Balasubramanya said the immigration process was not just a bureaucratic hurdle but a deeply frustrating experience. “My experience with the Swedish Migration Agency wasn't just a bureaucratic hurdle; it was a masterclass in systemic dysfunction and unprofessionalism,” he wrote.

Allegations against the migration system

The entrepreneur alleged that officials handling his case lacked business understanding and did not offer clear guidance on documentation despite repeated requests. He also claimed that the grounds for rejecting his application changed between initial communication and the final decision.

He described this as a “moving goalpost strategy” and accused the system of acting in bad faith.

Balasubramanya also linked his experience to what he called a wider climate of hostility towards international founders. “The current political climate has empowered a culture within these offices that treats international talent with open contempt rather than as a value-add to the economy,” he said.

‘Broken and xenophobic’ system

Balasubramanya said he set up Hydro Space Sweden AB with the goal of improving food security in northern Sweden. Instead, he said, he faced a system he described as “fundamentally broken and seemingly xenophobic.”

“I built a fully operational company within 6 months that provided local jobs and fresh produce that aids towards making the North of Sweden food secure. In return, I was met with a lack of transparency and a total absence of human decency from Migrationsverket,” he wrote.

He added that he chose not to fight a prolonged legal battle because of the financial and mental health toll. “Instead, I have decided to take a break and move back to my home country to work on my mental health that was destroyed by the Swedish migration agency,” he said.

What next for the founder?

Balasubramanya confirmed that he has returned to India and plans to focus on recovery before starting again. He said his commitment to sustainability and entrepreneurship remains unchanged.

In his closing remarks, he warned international founders and investors that Sweden’s startup-friendly image may not match the reality faced by foreign entrepreneurs navigating its immigration system.

He also thanked customers and partners in Skellefteå for their support and said he remains proud of what the company achieved in a short time, even though he could not stay to see it grow further under new ownership.