Networking

THE NOBLE ART OF NETWORKING

One of the biggest make-it-or-break-it factors for a single entrepreneur or a complete organization, is being able to establish, maintain and grow a solid and constructive network. Succeed and you will have a business able to withstand just about anything with opportunities coming your way almost constantly. One of the many values of running a business in Blekinge are the very strong and very close networks that exist.

STRONG SUPPORT

In Blekinge, distances are short – not only geographically but also mentally. There’s an unusually strong regional passion and pride among the people living here. The public sector as well as private companies all share a strong drive to a common development of business in the region. One thing proving this is that over time, many formal as well as informal business networks have established themselves in the region. These are created out of both industry and geographical reason and are driven by business value and personal relations. New entrepreneurs as well as companies establishing themselves in Blekinge are immediately provided access to the people and networks needed for them to run and develop their businesses. Something that Station Interactive have benefitted greatly from. “Being a startup in smaller town has many advantages. A lot of people want to see you succeed, they want to see new companies grow with new people moving in. That spirit is harder to find in bigger cities”, says Mattias Nygren.

“The reason it’s very easy to run a business in Blekinge is that you’re so close to official decision-makers and other people in the same position as yourself. It’s really great for networking since everybody are so close to each other” – Mattias Nygren, CEO at The Station

BUSINESS CLUSTERS AND SCIENCE PARKS

In Blekinge there are two science parks, Blue Science Park and NetPort Science Park, both acting as a bridge between research and business, offering a common ground for companies, researchers and students. Together, they have some 200 companies and organizations as members within the areas of Digital Media, Energy, eHealth, Intelligent Transportation, Marine Technology and Telecoms/IT. Through these science parks, you are provided with easy access to other companies and their staff, decision makers in the public sector, researchers and students, new knowledge, support and help for the development of new or existing products and services.
 
Also in the region, Techtank Advanced Engineering Alliance is a strong industrial cluster, not least within the automotive industry once created around Volvo Car Body Component located in Blekinge. The companies that are members of Techtank are running multiple common initiatives around competence, technology research and innovation. Together, these companies have for instance initiated and now run a common sales office in Coventry, UK.