New innovation panel conducted by Dalarna Science Park
The results of this year's second Innovation Panel, a survey conducted by Novus on behalf of Dalarna Science Park, have just been compiled. On the theme of internationalization for increased growth, over one thousand people in Dalarna aged 18 - 65 years have answered questions. It is clear that there is strong support for Dalarna investing even more vigorously in building international relations to strengthen regional growth. This is the opinion of just over 50 percent of respondents. One in five respondents, however, believe that the biggest obstacle to investing internationally in Dalarna today is ignorance.
- There is already a strong international link to our regional economy. However, there is room for great improvement. Therefore, lack of knowledge must never be an obstacle to creating growth in Dalarna. We can and want to contribute to increasing knowledge within the regional business community about how business can grow through expansion in international markets," says Angelica Ekholm, CEO, Dalarna Science Park.
This year's second Innovation Panel also shows that almost 40% of respondents believe that Dalarna is already a county with strong international links. The motivation is said to be that the sustainability work carried out by the business community in Dalarna should be able to provide the region with better development opportunities.
- It is exciting that our regional industry's sustainability initiatives are being recognized and seen as a strength for future growth. Dalarna Science Park's recently launched Industry Accelerator, which will help to utilize the industry's residual streams with the help of innovations from all corners of the world, is just such an initiative that links both internationalization and sustainability to future regional growth opportunities, says Angelica Ekholm, CEO, Dalarna Science Park.
Nearly 15% of respondents in this year's second Innovation Panel believe that regulations and other national barriers stand in the way of international expansion. That it is simply too complicated to expand into new countries. At the same time, just over ten percent believe that the lack of an international network is the real obstacle. Two years ago, in 2022, the Innovation Panel showed a corresponding figure of 35%. In other words, there has been a 25% decrease.
In Dalarna, several actors are actively working together to help Dalarna companies get out into the world. This is being done within the framework of the region's Exportarena Dalarna initiative. It brings together actors from Dalarna Science Park, Enterprice Europe Network, Almi and Business Sweden, among others.
One of the many companies in Dalarna that is already working to increase its exports is Herdins Färgverk in Falun. Herdins recently set an ambitious target for its international trade. The company wants to increase from today's five percent, to twenty percent by 2029.
- Increasing our exports is one way to increase the turnover of the company. We have a high target but we think it feels reasonable. And there is a lot of help and tips to get from the actors in Dalarna who work with the issues, says Per Strand, CEO Herdins Färgverk.
The innovation panel was conducted by Novus during the period February 23 - March 12, 2024 among 1000 people in Dalarna aged 18-65 on behalf of Dalarna Science Park.
