Now let's go out and shape the future

Something happens when people start to see what they can achieve together. After this year’s Dalarna Innovation Days, I’m leaving with a great sense of hope. I feel that our ambitions are growing, and I know that the connections made during Dalarna Innovation Days will make a difference for us here in Dalarna.

These have been fantastic days, with over 3,100 registrations for 28 events held in six locations across Dalarna and online. Five days of knowledge, new perspectives, and people eager to move forward. There is a power in this that we should be proud of and build upon.

One of our visitors said, “It seems like Dalarna is where it’s all happening, so we’re here to see what you’re doing!”
Yes, a lot is happening here. We have good reason to think big about Dalarna’s future. When others come here to learn from us, we need to understand for ourselves the power of what we’re building.

There are many conversations from Dalarna Innovation Days that I want to continue. Conversations about ideas that need to be tested, about companies that want to grow, and about how we can help each other move forward. After five days of meetings, I feel, above all, hope. Now I want us to build on that.

Over the past few days, we’ve explored how AI can solve real-world problems, how materials can be given new life, and how we can strengthen our energy and food security. I’ve met people who generously share their knowledge, ask the tough questions, and reach out to those they don’t yet know.

With AI Arena Dalarna and Materialarenan, we have opened up more opportunities for companies to grow together with others. Here, a challenge within a company’s own operations can become the start of a collaboration, where the right knowledge and technology help us test a solution. This could involve using AI in their work or finding a new use for materials that were previously left over.

At the Dalarna Startup Arena, entrepreneurs, investors, and potential customers came together. Such connections can be of great importance to a young company. Anyone who wants to test a new solution in their business, share their experience, or open up their network can help an idea move forward. That’s where many of us have an opportunity to make a difference.

Now comes the important next step. We need to put what we’ve discussed into action; we need to put our knowledge to use. Our contacts need to turn into collaborations, and our ideas need a chance to be tested in the real world—only then can this week’s opportunities be put to good use.

Now that we’re back at work, with everything we need to get done, I urge you to make a little room in your schedule for the ideas that came up during the week. Reach out to the person you met. Schedule the meeting you discussed, or bring up the idea with your colleagues. We need to continue to be just as curious about one another as we’ve been over the past few days.
We at Dalarna Science Park would love to continue these conversations. If you have an idea you’d like to try out or a challenge you need help moving forward with, please reach out. Of course, this also applies to those of you who weren’t able to join us this week.

Thank you to all the participants, speakers, partners, and sponsors. And thank you to my colleagues, whose knowledge, thoughtfulness, and hard work made this week possible. It is in people’s willingness to contribute that my hope takes root. Let’s hold on to that feeling and continue to build on it. Let’s create more of the future we want.