Sometimes a business idea is so obvious that it seems strange that someone hasn't already thought of it. That's exactly how Madelene Lagerqvist got the idea for the Loociz platform - surely something similar must already exist?
- Strangely enough, it doesn't seem so. In any case, we have not managed to track down any other service that covers as many perspectives and needs," says Madelene Lagerqvist.
Loociz is a digital platform for local collaboration and exchanges between municipalities, businesses, associations and business promoters. Here, the various actors can network with other actors in the same place, advertise, take part in the latest news and get help to develop.
- Others may have had the same idea before, but found it too time-consuming and costly to realize it, says Madelene Lagerqvist.
She works as a business developer and runs the New Business Center in Avesta in parallel with other assignments.
Madelene sketched out the idea for Loociz for a year before the communications agency Panang came into the picture through Jonas Grenfeldt and Krister Persson. Today, Madelene and Panang together form the team behind the design and development of the platform.
Focus on local contacts
The team started working on the platform during the pandemic when different actors had a strong need to reach each other, including in terms of the support available. But over time, it became clear that Loociz had more potential than that.
- Digitization poses major challenges for companies that lack skills and resources. This is where Loociz can come in and make a difference," says Madelene.
The basic idea is that the platform should be independent, local and hosted by the municipalities. A first version has now been launched in Avesta. The next step is to connect more municipalities in Dalarna and then establish the service nationally.
- Loociz gives municipalities a completely different control over local communication compared to social media. Plus, it helps combat digital exclusion," explains Madelene.
Rapid responses
Among business promoters, the launch of Loociz has been more than welcome. Not least because the platform gives stakeholders the chance to clarify their different services and roles.
- From this group we have heard several times "just go!". Someone also said that the solution we have developed is exactly what they have been missing for over twenty years.
In addition to companies and business promoters, associations are also on Loociz. Partly because non-profit associations often need support in their digitization, and partly because there are good opportunities for collaboration.
- Take, for example, a club that needs 100 new soccer balls. Instead of chasing sponsorship deals, the club can simply put out a request for proposals and seek a sponsor for that particular purchase. We also know that many of the entrepreneurs of the future are in associations, so the contact via Loociz can prove to be very valuable.
Understanding the target groups
Since 2021, Loociz has participated in Dalarna Science Park's incubator program, and although Madelene herself works with business development, she appreciates sitting on the other side of the table.
- This is very fun and what I am passionate about. I really enjoy getting good advice and being challenged by tough questions.
Business coach Jörgen Bond is one of the people asking the tough questions. He is excited about a local communication platform and believes in both the team and the idea.
- I guess many of us are a bit tired of social platforms where various algorithms decide what we should see. Instead, you are offered "unfiltered" information and are likely to discover things you didn't know were close to you, all on one platform. Thank you for your time!
Jörgen is convinced that the recipe for success is to solve the most important challenges of the target groups in the best way.
- It may sound obvious, but a surprising number of mistakes are made here. So my advice to Loociz is to continue to keep an eye on what the target group needs and match it. I also believe that people are looking for what is real and genuine, which speaks for Loociz.
