For two days, participating startups and partners have had a closing in Sundsvall. The companies have evaluated their time in the program and discussed plans for the future.
- It has been so much fun to be part of this. I sometimes feel like I'm standing still, but when I look back now, I see that all the expectations I had of the program have been fulfilled, says Linnea Brännström, founder of Orginal Creation.
The event included a study visit to SCA's sawmill in Tunadal and ended with the companies pitching to members of SCA's management team and innovation department, as well as other interested parties, such as investors from Södra Ädla.
- We chose to participate in the Forest Business Accelerator because we were interested in establishing ourselves in the north. The choice finally landed on Ånge thanks to the green thinking where industries collaborate and use each other's residual streams. I want to thank you for this time and for all the help we have received. I know that we will stay in touch and continue the collaboration in the future," says Anna Carlsson, co-founder of Bright Day Graphene.
Pelle Berglund, who is responsible for the program, agrees.
- Even if the program is over, it has been shown that the network established between the startup companies, key people at our partners and us business developers at BizMaker, it lasts over time. Even if the contact does not have the same intensity as during the program.
The Forest Business Accelerator is an intensive business development program where startups that have an innovation that in some way creates value for the forest industry can participate. The program is very much adapted to the needs of each individual company and differs from other business development programs because it is very practical.
- It is thanks to our partners' expertise and network of contacts that we can be so concrete and 'hands on'," says Pelle Berglund.
What makes this edition of the Forest Business Accelerator different from previous years?
Yes, this year's edition is dominated by female entrepreneurs.
- Since both the forestry industry and the startup world are male-dominated, this is something we see very positively," says Pelle Berglund.
The program is a collaboration between BizMaker, SCA, RISE and IBM.
- 'I am pleasantly surprised by the concrete help we received. It has been a bit unclear how to approach the forestry industry, but now all the doors have opened and everything feels easy and smooth," says Sára Nožkovás, co-founder of FLOX Robotics.
Thanks to this year's Forest Business Accelerator participants; FLOX Robotics, Bright Day Graphene, DIRI Safety Solutions, ZIGRID and Original Creation.
We look forward to following your journey!
