Working Together to Strengthen Innovation in Northern Sweden
Developing new solutions and seizing business opportunities often requires expertise and resources beyond those available within an individual company. Through the Innovation for Green Transition project (Innovationskraft för grön omställning), seven organisations across Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Västernorrland have joined forces to give companies access to the knowledge, connections and support they need to strengthen their capacity to innovate.
“This type of support is available from a range of organisations, but companies shouldn't have to know every organisation or figure out who to contact themselves. Through the project, we've been able to match companies' needs with the right expertise,” says project manager Peter Hedman.
The EU-funded project was launched in 2023 following a needs assessment among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in northern Sweden. The assessment showed that companies were looking for business development support, testing facilities, opportunities to meet and collaborate, and connections with other businesses and experts.
Their needs varied depending on their stage of development. Some needed help determining whether an idea was technically feasible. Others wanted to identify their target markets, develop their business or connect with investors and potential partners.
Innovation for Green Transition was therefore established as a collaboration between seven organisations with a local presence in Piteå, Luleå, Skellefteå, Umeå, Örnsköldsvik and Sundsvall. Together, they provide expertise and support across different stages of the innovation process.
“Having a local presence is important. We know the companies and innovation environments in each location. At the same time, we work across municipal and county boundaries, opening doors to expertise and contacts throughout the network,” Peter explains.
Different Expertise for Different Stages
For a company, the next step might begin with business development support from an incubator. From there, it could involve testing technology in an innovation environment, exploring potential applications or securing funding for further development.
RISE Processum is one of the project partners, contributing research expertise, innovation environments and testbeds. These provide opportunities to develop, test and validate new ideas before bringing them to market. One important focus has been industrial residual streams and how materials that are currently underutilised can be converted into new products and business opportunities.
The other project partners have contributed expertise in areas such as incubation, innovation management, networking, communications and investor relations. The project team has met weekly to discuss companies' needs and identify people or facilities within the network that could help.
“A company in one location might need an expert, a test facility or a business partner based somewhere entirely different. By working together, we can make that connection without the company having to find its own way through the system,” says Peter.
The collaboration has also brought incubators and other innovation support organisations closer together. In some cases, several organisations have worked with the same company to provide more comprehensive support.
Different Contributions, Shared Goals
In the film, the seven project partners describe their activities and share examples of how they have supported business development.
Connections That Lead to New Opportunities
An important part of the project has been creating opportunities for companies to meet customers, experts, investors and fellow entrepreneurs.
North Sweden Cleantech's five Cleantech Meetup events have attracted around 400 participants. Companies have had the opportunity to present their solutions and needs, while innovation support organisations and public-sector representatives have showcased the support available.
“Companies are always at the centre of what we do. It should be easy to participate, make a connection and find someone who can help with the next step. We can see that these meetings lead to further discussions and new collaborations.”
The same approach has guided seminars, matchmaking activities and international initiatives. When a seminar on business opportunities involving industrial residual streams was held in Piteå, groups in Härnösand, Örnsköldsvik and Umeå joined remotely. This allowed knowledge to be shared while participants explored opportunities based on their local circumstances.
At Expo 2025 Osaka, seven companies received support with preparations, presentations and matchmaking with Japanese organisations. For Umeå-based EduTechSmart, a visit to Keihanna Science Park in Kyoto led to a place in an accelerator programme focused on the Japanese market.
“The value comes when activities are linked to companies' actual needs. That's when a seminar, a trip or a meeting becomes part of a longer development journey,” Peter says.
A Network That Raises Companies' Visibility
The collaboration takes place within North Sweden Cleantech, whose business network has grown to around 127 companies. The network helps showcase companies' solutions and needs to potential customers, partners and investors.
Communications is therefore also an important part of the support provided.
“Companies may have excellent solutions, but they need to be discovered. Through the network, our meeting places and our communications activities, we can help them reach a wider audience and make the right connections,” says Peter.
Since 2023, 56 companies have received targeted support through the project. Companies in the network have also secured a combined SEK 106 million in investments and business funding.
Innovation for Green Transition concludes on 31 October 2026. What remains is closer collaboration between the organisations and a network spanning Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Västernorrland.
“We've demonstrated what's possible when expertise and resources are brought together across county boundaries. It gives companies better opportunities and provides a strong foundation to build on,” Peter concludes.
THE PROJECT IN NUMBERS
3 counties, 6 locations and 7 partner organisations have worked together to give companies access to support and connections across municipal and county boundaries.
127 companies are part of North Sweden Cleantech's business network, with 40 joining since 2023.
56 companies have received targeted support through incubators, specialist expertise, innovation management and business trips, among other activities.
5 Cleantech Meetup events with 400 participants have been held. Approximately half of the participants represented companies.
SEK 106 million has been secured by companies in the form of investments and business funding.
51 published articles and posts and 64 media mentions have helped raise the visibility of companies and their solutions. North Sweden Cleantech's online newsroom has received more than 7,500 views.
7 companies at Expo 2025 Osaka participated in a joint delegation, receiving support with matchmaking, presentations and international connections.
The Innovation for Green Transition project (Innovationskraft för grön omställning) runs from 1 July 2023 to 31 October 2026, with a total budget of SEK 27 million. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Region Västerbotten, Piteå Municipality, Skellefteå Municipality, Umeå Municipality, Örnsköldsvik Municipality, RISE, Arctic Business, BizMaker, Uminova Innovation, Piteå Science Park, Skellefteå Science City, PiteEnergi, Övik Energi, Skellefteå Kraft, Umeå Energi, Umeå Kommunföretag and Vakin.