Innovative environments

In Värmland, we work to develop innovative environments. We want to get better at making the most of people's innovations and ideas, and at promoting entrepreneurship in order to bring additional new and growing companies to the region. We are working to bring about constant renewal and greater competitiveness for Värmland companies, and we are achieving this by developing arenas in which both academics and trade and industry can exchange expertise and lessons learned. We are making major investments in industry-linked research. We are placing major emphasis on our strong industries, as these make us attractive on an international level and entice new companies and investments in the region.

We are making it easier for companies both large and small to reach a larger market both nationally and internationally. We are broadening trade and industry by keeping an eye out for the growth industries of the future.

What are innovative environments?

Innovative environments are those in which research, companies and a diverse range of people all encounter one another. It is in these environments that Värmland trade and industry can renew itself and reinforce its competitiveness.

Innovations are begotten at the points where entrepreneurs and capital encounter new ideas. This is where knowledge is turned into new products and services that reach the growing global market. To make Värmland trade and industry strong, the ability to renew and develop is crucial to success in the face of global competition.

Strategies

Innovative entrepreneurs

The aim is to bring about more growing, knowledge-driven, region-exporting companies.

We will achieve this by:

  • advanced development and quality development of the support structures (advice and capital supply, among other things) for innovators and entrepreneurs, and underpin cooperation with players that support entrepreneurs

  • creating arenas and networks in which researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and venture capital can find one another and add value

  • stimulating greater entrepreneurship in knowledge-intensive environments

  • supporting growth entrepreneurs in order to meet growing export markets

  • making things easier for entrepreneurs that want to grow – irrespective of age, sex and cultural background – by developing different support and advice systems

  • working actively to promote knowledge of and attitudes towards entrepreneurship from an early age.

Innovative clusters

Our aim is to bring about Värmland clusters which are competitive in an international market.

We will achieve this by:

  • building stable, long-term cluster organisations

  • encouraging cooperation and regeneration in cutting edge areas with growth opportunities both within and among the clusters

  • allowing the clusters to position themselves in the international arena in order to create business opportunities

  • being attractive for direct foreign investments which will bring with them new capital, new technology and knowhow and new skills

  • making the most of opportunities and encouraging cooperation locally, regionally, nationally and internationally in new growth areas.

Innovation for sustainable growth

Our aim is to increase the pace and scale of innovation.

We will achieve this by:

  • shortening distances and increasing cooperation between academia, trade and industry and the public sector in order to identify, in the first instance, the research and development support needed by companies but also by the public sector

  • investing in research for innovation, primarily to meet the needs of trade and industry but also for the public sector

  • encouraging greater external research financing

  • developing and creating long-term strategic innovation platforms where knowledge and perspectives can be shared between companies, the public sector and research environments

  • promoting collective action in new interfaces and networks which will lead to innovations.