The selection process for the next round of the Forest Business Accelerator business development program is in full swing. BizMaker's business advisors Pelle Berglund and Jonny Nissilä are currently interviewing applicants, talking to partners and evaluating the companies that have applied. The goal is to offer five to six companies a place when the program starts this autumn.
- We have worked intensively to be visible over the past three years and it is now bearing fruit, says Pelle Berglund, responsible for the business development program. "The combination of scouting, networking and the fact that both partners and other incubators recommend our program has resulted in more applications than in previous rounds.
The importance of cooperation between Swedish incubators is something both Pelle Berglund and Jonny Nissilä emphasize.
- "Our feeling is that the entire Swedish innovation support system works for Sweden AB. The actors want to share, want their startups well, and in our case they see that Forest Business Accelerator can make a difference for the companies, says Jonny Nissilä. The fact that specialized programs collaborate and mediate companies to each other gives us a completely different strength and is a real success factor for everyone.
The Forest Business Accelerator has a national intake and is aimed at startups that have a sustainable innovation with a forestry connection. For this fall's round, the program has been expanded and is now also open to companies with energy solutions.
- "Västernorrland is home to established companies and research that are driving the green transition, and that is part of the reason why startups are drawn to the Forest Business Accelerator and the region. Together they play a crucial role in the development of a circular and sustainable economy and in the energy transition," says Pelle Berglund.
The increased interest in the green bioeconomy and in the Forest Business Accelerator is having a positive impact on Västernorrland.
- On the one hand, we see companies establishing themselves in Västernorrland, and on the other, we strengthen our position as experts in the field," explains Jonny Nissiliä.
ABOUT THE FOREST BUSINESS ACCELERATOR
Forest Business Accelerator is a collaboration between BizMaker, SCA, IBM and Processum Biorefinery Cluster which is part of RISE. We work together to commercialize and internationalize the participating companies' innovations towards larger markets.
