Friday, October 25, is the premiere of Dalarna Startup Arena, an opportunity for startups, investors and business angels to meet. And where everyone interested in business development and entrepreneurship is also welcome to join, free of charge.
- I know that many of us are already looking forward to Friday, October 25, it will be an interesting day, says Brita Klingberg, business developer at Dalarna Science Park.
Dalarna Startup Arena is part of the program for Dalarna Innovation Days and includes several program items. First up is a pitch event where eight selected startups from Dalarna, Gävleborg and Västernorrland will present themselves to a pitch panel. This will be followed by lunch, panel discussions, lectures, coffee and time for mingling and meetings.
- Connecting startups with investors and business angels is an important part of Dalarna Science Park's mission, so we believe in this concept very much, says Brita Klingberg.
A lot of preparation
During the pitch event, participants will present their ideas and themselves to the panel in a few minutes.
- We coach companies in different presentation formats, from as little as a three-minute oral pitch to preparing more detailed material that includes financial forecasts and deeper information about the company's business idea and solution. So behind what may look simple, there is a lot of work," says Brita.
The aim of the pitch event is to give startups and investors the opportunity to find each other and start concrete collaborations.
- In the best case, it's a win-win for all parties and for society. "Of course it's about capital and financing, but for a start-up it's at least as important to get access to expertise and networks," says Brita, who has noticed that investors have become increasingly interested in companies outside the metropolitan regions.
- With us, they also meet startups from a wide variety of industries, as our incubators are not niche, so it is appreciated. We have also hand-picked the hottest startups in central Sweden for the pitch event.
Strengths of the team
The premiere edition of Dalarna Startup Arena is hosted by the Clas Ohlson Foundation, a foundation established in 2017 by descendants of the founder Clas Ohlson (1895-1979).
The foundation's goal is to honor Clas Ohlson's memory, among other things by supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Dalarna.
Dimitri Haid is the great-grandson of Clas Ohlson and chairman of the foundation. He thinks that Dalarna Startup Arena fits the foundation like a glove.
- The development of Dalarna is very close to our hearts, and if we can contribute in any way, we are happy to do so. We want to see more companies succeed and grow, so that they can employ and give more people the chance to stay in Dalarna or move here.
An experienced entrepreneur himself, Dimitri Haid currently divides his time between the Foundation and Find My Factory, a tech company he founded in 2022.
During the Dalarna Startup Arena, Dimitri will be one of the members of the pitch panel. He is interested in service development and product innovation, but also in the people behind the companies.
- In my experience, a strong team is more important than a strong idea because a good team always has the ability to take an idea further. Or even reshape it when needed, which it often does.
Making the world a better place
After the pitch event and lunch, it's time for panel discussions, lectures and mingling. A range of topics and issues will be discussed, including strategy, engagement, communication, sustainable relationships and common mistakes.
Brita believes that many more than startups and investors can get a lot out of the day.
- In fact, anyone who meets entrepreneurs in their everyday life and who has an interest in the development of Dalarna.
- What can be particularly inspiring is to hear the entrepreneur talk about their driving forces. "I would say that it is unusual for a start-up to have financial success as its only goal. It's more often about wanting to make the world a better place in some way, for example in terms of sustainability, justice and similar aspects.
