SWEDISH INNOVATION
A LEGACY OF GLOBAL IMPACT AND LOCAL PIONEERING
Swedish Innovations Changing the World
Hundreds of millions of people around the world stream their favorite music on Spotify. Millions of hearts beat stronger thanks to advanced pacemaker technology, and countless lives have been saved by breakthrough medical devices. These are just a few examples of Swedish innovations that have made a real difference globally.
A century ago, Sweden was one of the poorest countries in Europe. Today, despite having just 0.13% of the world’s population, Sweden is a powerhouse of innovation. According to Global Innovation Index 2024 Sweden is ranked second in the world for innovation.
This success is fueled by a rich tradition of inventiveness, high gender equality, and a strong belief in individual potential—a formula that has given us industry leaders like AstraZeneca, Skype, Spotify, Ericsson, Volvo, and many more.
In the southern region of Sweden, innovation takes on a unique character. Although one of Sweden’s smallest regions, Blekinge boasts one of the strongest collaborations between academia and private industry. Its innovative spirit dates back to Fredrik Henrik af Chapman, who revolutionized shipbuilding in the late 17th century by introducing serial production of warships. Today, that pioneering legacy lives on. In Karlskrona—a UNESCO World Heritage city—SAAB AB continues to honor Chapman’s spirit by developing world-class marine technology and driving the defense industry forward.
ARE YOU READY TO BE PART OF THE NEXT WAVE OF INNOVATION?
Join us in harnessing the power of Swedish innovation to transform your business and community. Contact us today and discover how you can help shape the future of technology and industry!
Facts
BLEKINGE - ONE OF THE EU'S REGIONAL INNOVATION VALLEYS
Blekinge has earned the prestigious title of "Regional Innovation Valley" from the European Commission—a distinction granted to only 151 out of 1,166 regions in Europe. This award highlights Blekinge's commitment to driving innovative change and fostering smart specialization.
What Does This Mean for Blekinge?
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Enhanced Collaboration:
Being a Regional Innovation Valley paves the way for new partnerships across sectors; linking businesses, academic institutions, public authorities, and innovation hubs. -
Strengthening Innovation Ecosystems:
This designation reinforces efforts to build robust innovation ecosystems that can tackle Europe’s societal challenges head-on while promoting economic cohesion. -
Focus on Smart Specialization:
Blekinge’s innovative work in smart specialization is at the heart of this recognition, driving region-specific strategies that boost growth and competitiveness.
By embracing these collaborative and forward-thinking strategies, Blekinge is not only enhancing its own regional capabilities but also setting a benchmark for innovation across Europe.
Ready to Innovate?
JOIN OUR MISSION TO PIONEER THE GREEN TRANSITION!
MISSION ORIENTED INNOVATION
Sweden is well known as a pioneer and role model in innovation development as well as sustainability. In Blekinge we want to push the agenda even further. Our work, with mission oriented innovation, focus on combining our cutting edge knowledge with a mission to solve some of the worlds societal challenges.
Industries where Blekinge is considered to be among the best in the world are; Tech, Marine Technology, Smart Industry, and Food production industry.
As a leading hot spot for marine technology, we are cleaning and supporting the surrounding ocean. Our deep knowledge of AI is used to track ghost nets polluting the sea and with virtual reality as well as digital twins of areas affected by climate change, we are able to test new innovations faster. Innovation and business opportunities in these areas abound and we want to invite you to participate in this journey in Blekinge.
Discover how mission oriented innovation can make a difference – contact us today!
Facts
S3+Missions
From a regional perspective, and specifically for a small region, like Blekinge, The Missions method has emerged as a very important tool in addition to Smart Specialisation (S3).
BLEKINGE TESTBEDS
FUELLING INNOVATION WITH COLLABORATION
In Blekinge, innovative testbeds provide the perfect environment to test your ideas before committing to full-scale development. These versatile platforms—ranging from physical laboratories to virtual simulation environments—are designed to drive innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth across the region.
WHAT ARE TESTBEDS?
Testbeds in Blekinge are dynamic platforms that enable:
Development: Transforming initial ideas into practical solutions.
Testing: Validating concepts in controlled, real-world, or simulated environments.
Collaboration: Uniting businesses, academia, public sector entities, and science parks to foster cross-border innovation.
By breaking down traditional silos, these testbeds stimulate creativity and pave the way toward a sustainable society.
INNOVATIVE TESTBED EXAMPLES IN BLEKINGE
BLUE MARITIME TESTBED
Imagine a testbed at the bottom of the sea. The Blue Maritime Testbed is a hub where companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists, students, and public sector representatives collaborate to develop and test underwater technology innovations.
RISE STAMPING AND FORMING CENTRE
At the RISE Stamping and Forming Centre, future production methods are showcased. This arena offers a space to experiment with the production of lighter, more efficient products—paving the way for next-generation manufacturing.
SPOK
SPOK is a national network with a regional hub in Blekinge. At www.s-p-o-k.se, designers, architects, artists, and other creative professionals converge to commercialize their innovative products in a sustainable and cross-disciplinary setting.
VIRTUAL PRODUCTION STUDIO LAB
The Virtual Production Studio Lab is a cutting-edge virtual laboratory where you can simulate and visualize a product’s lifecycle. This technology is not only ideal for product development but also benefits the fast-growing digital film industry and other creative sectors.
TEST-ARENA BLEKINGE
Blekinge’s compact size is one of its greatest assets. The entire region can act as one large testbed for new products and services. In collaboration with the five municipalities, the local healthcare organization, the university, and Blue Science Park, Blekinge is testing innovations in telecom/IT, eHealth, marine technology, IoT, IT-security, underwater technology, remote healthcare, and welfare technology for the elderly.
VOLVO CE INNOVATION IN BLEKINGE
For many years, Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) and Volvo Construction Equipment have collaborated in “Model-Driven Development and Decision Support.” Together with six other companies and the national initiative “Knowledge Foundation,” they fund a research environment at BTH. This initiative strengthens Swedish industry competitiveness through innovative product and service development—with projects even involving students from Stanford University to develop sustainable future concepts.
UNLOCK YOUR INNOVATION POTENTIAL
Blekinge offers unparalleled access to innovation competence. Within just an hour, you can meet with over 22,000 of tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and change makers—all committed to turning ideas into reality.
Ready to shape the future of regional innovation? Contact us today to join our collaborative journey and become a part of the region’s success story!