Leading politicians in Västernorrland have endorsed the creation and financing of a joint county organization for business promotion. The aim is to strengthen regional growth promotion in Västernorrland.
- The Regional Cooperation Council's decision is a historically courageous decision to create a stable, long-term support structure for business promotion in Västernorrland. An accessible business promotion that takes advantage of all people's entrepreneurship and innovation power is an important competitive advantage, says Glenn Nordlund (S), chairman of the Regional Cooperation Council.
The decision on a joint organization for business promotion is based on the regional development strategy and the priority of developing a coherent financing, business and innovation support system.
BizMaker and High Coast Invest join forces
The proposal is an organization consisting of three business areas: incubator, science park and start-up promotion. It includes the activities that are currently conducted within BizMaker and High Coast Invest. The BizMaker brand will be used for the incubator and the science park, and High Coast Invest for business start-up promotion. The operational activities will be managed by a limited company owned and managed by an association where all municipalities and the region through membership will have influence over the management of the business. Overall, a joint organization is expected to increase the opportunities to coordinate the county's promotion system and strengthen collaboration with other business promotion organizations in the region.
- It is an impressive position to choose to implement such a long-term investment for the continued growth and innovation power of the whole of Västernorrland. It is unique in Sweden and will contribute to the positioning of Västernorrland in Sweden and the world. We are positive about the merger and see clear synergies and added value that can be created from our two organizations' expertise and offerings, says Matts Nyman, CEO of BizMaker.
- Together we can use resources and expertise more efficiently, while building a solid foundation for growth through the development of startups, existing businesses, public organizations and through service to global companies. We are pleased that these business issues are prioritized in the long term and look forward to being part of the new organization, says Mikael Aamisepp, Head of Operations, High Coast Invest.
What happens next?
The next step is for all municipalities and the region to decide on the financing and establishment of the new organization. General meetings will be held in the spring, and the organization is expected to come into force in August 2023.
CONTACT
Glenn Nordlund, Chairman of the Regional Cooperation Council, glenn.nordlund@rvn.se, 070-558 81 53
Matts Nyman, CEO of BizMaker, matts.nyman@bizmaker.se, 070-604 00 52
Mikael Aamisepp, Head of Operations at High Coast Invest, mikael@highcoastinvest.com, 073-270 45 74
About the Regional Cooperation Council
https://www.rvn.se/sv/Utveckli…
BACKGROUND
BizMaker is a regional innovation actor in Västernorrland that supports small companies with innovative business ideas to quickly achieve market success, helps companies in the business community to develop and grow and motivates people with innovative ideas to take the next step.The business offers various tools in the form of business development, networks, activities and events for a variety of people who want to develop their ideas, businesses, companies and operations.
Since 2004, BizMaker has run a growth-promoting activity for new companies and existing businesses in Sundsvall, a so-called science park and incubator, which has largely been project-financed. Geographically, the business is now spread throughout the county with offices in Sundsvall, Härnösand, Örnsköldsvik and Ånge.
High Coast Invest has existed since 2016 and works to attract foreign companies to establish themselves in our region. As a regional partner of Business Sweden, High Coast Invest is an important part of the chain for international investments. The services are tailored to the companies' needs, with services such as site visits, process consulting, research and contacts with networks and local stakeholders. With sustainability high on the agenda, we mainly work with investments in electricity-intensive industry, tourism, bioeconomy and digital technologies. The office is located in Härnösand.
