2022 has been a year of contradictions. Difficult events in the world around us have affected and shaken us. But I will also remember it as the year when society could open up again. The year when we could once again gather a lot of wisdom in the same room and at the same time successfully continue dialogues digitally.
During the year, we have experienced an increased willingness to invest in our county, where news of new business start-ups in parallel with exciting investments in existing companies have been communicated in close succession. To highlight the potential of Dalarna outside Dalarna, we organized a Dalarna Talks in Visby during Almedalen Week on the theme - Dalarna as Sweden's future growth region. We discussed how this development has been possible, we talked about the future potential of Dalarna and examined what is needed to ensure that these investments now become reality and that more investments continue to accrue to Dalarna.
Watch Dalarna Talks from Visby afterwards
One thing we have been able to establish is that if Dalarna is to continue to develop, we need more people to move to our county. That's why Dalarna Science Park has a mission, to work to make Dalarna an "Attractive Industrial Region". As a start in this work, we have created a picture of our current situation through a national attitude survey among 25-35 year olds. Unfortunately, we can see that Dalarna is not really seen as an innovative place with exciting career opportunities. Dalarna is seen as an open and welcoming place with happy people and red cottages, but we need to complement our image with our technological development, entrepreneurship and innovations.
Please read the full survey
In 2023, work will continue on creating future associations with Dalarna. Together with companies such as Hitachi, SSAB and Northvolt, which are leading the way in the green transition, I am convinced that we can create a new attractive image of Dalarna.
In August 2022, we organized Sweden's first conference on the role of insects in the food chain here at Dalarna Science Park. A highly appreciated event with several international speakers in the important development area of food innovation for Dalarna.
Did you miss it? All the speakers are recorded here
The role of insects in the food chain
Yes, we can sum up a very successful year where thousands of people, in and outside Dalarna, have been able to meet Dalarna Science Park's message on sustainability, innovation and internationalization. In order to be constantly updated on what Dalarna needs, during the year we have asked questions to those working in Dalarna via our Digital Innovation Panel. We have now compiled the surveys in a report.
We hope and believe that during the year we have enthused new entrepreneurship and contributed to strengthened faith in the future in Dalarna. We sum up 2022 in our business incubator with 23 growing companies and five positive exits - Healty Homes, Vivolab, InstCNC, Tebrito and SelfSheck are now ready to continue their growth journey on their own. We wish them the best of luck!
What are your plans for 2023? Do you have an idea that could become your next successful business? Don't hesitate to contact us. We are always ready to meet today's innovators who could become tomorrow's entrepreneurs. Simply register your interest on our website dalarnasciencepark.se and we will book a meeting!
With that, I thank you for all the exciting meetings this year and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
