CEO statement in Dalarna Science Park's annual report for 2025.
2025 was a very special year. I was therefore right when I began last year's CEO's message with the same words, but then formulated as a hope. We are now closing the books for the year, evaluating, analyzing, rejoicing, being inspired, and looking ahead, and we are doing so with joy. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved as a business over the past 12 months. I am equally proud of the position that Dalarna has achieved today as a growth region.
The past year was something of a record year for Dalarna Science Park. As an organization, we have taken major steps forward to prove that Dalarna is not only a beautiful place, but also a powerful hub for innovation, sustainability, and growth.
Our strategic focus for 2030 clearly points toward continuing to develop Dalarna as an innovative and attractive county, strengthening existing businesses and supporting new ones, while at the same time contributing to positioning Sweden on the international stage.
This year's greatest successes are not just about awards and statistics, but also about the demonstrable development in the region. The fact that Dalarna Science Park won the Brand of the Year award is proof that our long-term efforts to raise awareness of our activities are having an effect. The digital initiatives, including developments in AI, that we have implemented throughout Dalarna during the year have proven to be a success. At the same time, it is inspiring to see Dalarna strengthening its position as a career region and developing expertise in areas that are crucial to the circular economy system of the future.
Around the turn of the year, we launched a new strategy for Dalarna Science Park for the next five years. Among other things, the strategy specifies the focus areas for continued regional growth that we will invest in. Digitalization, circularity, and internationalization are, alongside innovation, the cornerstones of the initiatives and activities leading up to 2030 that will enable Dalarna's business community to continue to grow and flourish.
Digitalization is largely about increasing the general knowledge of the business community to ensure that the region's entrepreneurs can benefit from what digitalization brings in terms of efficiency and growth. We are delighted that our initiatives in areas such as AI-lyftet have been fully booked and that more companies are realizing the enormous potential of using generative AI to develop their operations and strengthen their businesses.
It is also clear that circular waste streams and waste contribute to building a more sustainable economy in the long term. Our circular industry accelerator has already launched a second round, based on companies with residual flows that are matched with startups. More and more players in society, both in the business community and the public sector, see the value in reusing residual flows, which creates a direct benefit for both businesses and the environment.
Cooperation across Northern Central Sweden has also developed strongly during the year. We are proud to see that our model for collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises is now yielding results and we are climbing the innovation index rankings. Dalarna has finally been awarded a gold medal, demonstrating that our work with the business community, academia, and the public sector is on the right track. Our collaboration with Dalarna University has never been stronger, and our joint initiatives, such as innovation competitions and development projects, show that we are on the right track to building a strong future.
We are also delighted that Dalarna Science Park is now taking its place on the national stage, not least through our involvement in projects such as The Swedish Wool Initiative, the Circular Industry Accelerator, and Dalarna Innovation Days. Our incubator has also reached a record level this year, with 31 companies at the same time. This demonstrates the strong entrepreneurship and growth rate that has characterized the region during the year.
The world is changing rapidly, and Dalarna faces great opportunities but also challenges. Our hope is that more companies and entrepreneurs will grow and establish themselves here, and that more young people will see Dalarna as an attractive place to live and work. We want to continue to contribute and create good conditions so that the region can continue to be an engine of growth, with innovation and sustainability at its core.
I would like to thank all our employees for your commitment; you are the core of our success. Together, we are creating the conditions for an even stronger Dalarna, where we are not just a place for visitors but a region where the companies and residents of the future want to live, work, and develop. Our journey has only just begun, and with every step we take, I am convinced that together we can create an even better future for Dalarna – Sweden's next growth region and a European role model.
Read the full Dalarna Science Park Annual Report 2025
This article is part of Dalarna Science Park's annual report for 2025. The report provides an overview of our work, our results, and developments during the year.
The annual report can be read online or downloaded in PDF format.
