As Dalarna's innovation arena, it is important for us to reach out to the whole of Dalarna and if we are to do a really good job, we need to understand what Dalarna thinks and thinks. That's why we launched a digital Innovation Panel last spring. The panel consists of questions that help us take the temperature of what Dalarna thinks on selected issues. What insights have we gained?
Dalarna has a bright future!
The panel shows that as many as 83% say they are optimistic about the future in the region, something we also sense in conversations with companies. This is perhaps not so strange, because Dalarna is doing well. More companies are being started than ever, 1830 new companies were started in 2020, which is an increase of 22% compared to 2019, which was actually also a record year, so the trend is positive. Via a survey conducted by the Entrepreneurship Forum(1), we see that just over 10% want to start a business within three years, so hopefully the trend will continue!
The manufacturing industry in Dalarna is also doing well. For Sweden as a whole, the production index for the third quarter of 2021 is +0.9%*(2), and Dalarna is showing the strongest recovery in Sweden! We at Dalarna Science Park are now rolling up our sleeves together with several organizations(3) throughout north central Sweden to support small and medium-sized companies in the manufacturing industry by, among other things, contributing to innovation work and supporting the transition to a circular economy.
The hospitality industry has been a vulnerable sector during the pandemic years. Through solid restructuring work, however, many companies have managed relatively well, the holidays have often been spent in our region and Dalarna has been able to show off its best side. To further strengthen companies in the industry Visit Dalarna and Dalarna Science Park have linked arms with the ambition to work with technology company Tension and students from both Dalarna University and Playground Squad accelerate the pace of digital opportunities.
Dalarna is a favorable region to run a business in
As many as 64% of the panel responded that they believe there are major advantages to running a business in the region and 52% think that Dalarna has a positive business climate. We notice that more people are showing courage and entrepreneurial willingness, which is supported by the fact that the report from the Entrepreneurship Forum(1) shows that more people feel they have sufficient knowledge to start a business. At the same time, almost 30 percent of the respondents in the panel state that the region must not turn a blind eye to the visible challenges that exist in Dalarna. "The biggest challenge is long-term growth. In view of this, it is gratifying that a new regional development strategy - the Dalarna Strategy - has been adopted and that well-developed priority areas now form the basis for the development work that we at Dalarna Science Park will be part of.
We need to accelerate the internationalization of businesses
Almost 80 percent of the respondents in the panel see clear benefits for the entire region with increased international contacts. The responses show that they realize that internationalization can lead to more jobs and growth, but also that we can increase the possibility of attracting new skills to Dalarna. Of course, there are endless opportunities with the whole world as potential. At Dalarna Science Park, we have a large network all over the world and can support small and medium-sized companies with import and export issues.
Dalarna has unique values in the combination of nature and entrepreneurial spirit
Almost 75% of the respondents in the panel believe that the pandemic will lead to more people choosing to leave life in the big cities for a new future in Dalarna. The combination of proximity to nature and a strong entrepreneurial spirit are seen as explanations for why a region like Dalarna will see more new residents. The Dalarna Strategy emphasizes that we in Dalarna need more residents of working age for Dalarna to be strong in the future. If the panel's confidence in the future becomes a reality, there will soon be more of us who can contribute to our long-term regional growth! We get a lot of calls from people returning home and newcomers to Dalarna who are looking for jobs. We think that's great!
In the coming year, you will have the opportunity to answer more questions in our Innovation Panel, so stay tuned and feel free to contribute!
