For example, Linköping became the first Swedish city to win the iCapital Award in the category of European Rising Innovative City. The research strengths at Linköping University have laid the foundation for many successful companies in the region. In areas such as machine learning, visualization, image analysis, IoT, digital security, connected products and systems, and new materials, there is both a solid research base and a growing business sector.
Additionally, parts of a functioning value chain for semiconductor production are located in Östergötland, further strengthening the conditions for establishing activities focused on digital technologies.
Values that Östergötland can offer companies in digital technologies
- Access to excellent knowledge in digital technologies through long-standing research and development at Linköping University.
- A strong tradition in advanced computer engineering and supercomputers, with national and European resources for AI and high-performance computing.
- A cohesive innovation system supporting the entire chain from early research and idea development to commercialization and international expansion.
- Strong clusters in visualization and image analysis, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, cyber security, and connected systems, gathering hundreds of companies.
- Opportunities to access specialized expertise in new materials, semiconductor technology, and digital security, directly influencing the development of future digital solutions.
- Access to actors offering business development, innovation support, internationalization support, and connections to global markets.
- A strong culture of collaboration between academia, industry, and the public sector driving new technologies and solutions.
Industrial structure
The structure of the business community within digital technologies is a vital part of the ecosystem. Östergötland hosts numerous companies and organizations that together form an industrial infrastructure that fosters innovation across fields such as research tools, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and medical technology. Currently there are about 80 companies in the region with a combined turnover of over SEK 5 billion and employing a significant number of people.
Examples of companies in Östergötland include Actia AB, SICK IVP AB, as well as consulting firms like HiQ, which are partially specialized in digital technologies, along with smaller companies such as Configura, Astacus, Dyno Robotics, Visage Technologies, Interspectral, Voysys, Sparsit, Infviz, Visiarc, Skymaker, Dubblett, among others.
The regional innovation eco system
Östergötland's regional innovation support system is well-developed and built on a long tradition of collaboration between academia, industry, the public sector, and entrepreneurs. Within digitalization, there is a broad spectrum of actors offering support throughout the entire innovation journey—from early ideas to internationally established companies.
LiU Innovation provides advice and support to students, researchers, and staff regarding idea development, business startups, and funding. The LEAD business incubator offers programs and resources for entrepreneurs aiming for faster and safer growth, whether it involves research-based spinoffs or new startups within digital technology. Linköping Science Park serves as a central meeting place for over 350 companies and 6,500 employees, with a strong focus on innovation, growth, and knowledge exchange.
Norrköping Science Park operates closely, offering an attractive environment for digital technology companies to establish their first commercial production and grow alongside others. Through LiU Holding and LiU Invest, there are opportunities to develop research results and innovations into commercial products and services, providing funding, business support, and networks that strengthen the region’s attractiveness.
Examples of areas where the innovation support system can provide assistance include:
- Identification of potential innovations in research projects.
- Support for entrepreneurs in early and scaling phases.
- Identification of public funding opportunities.
- Analysis of production and processes.
- Business model analysis.
- Contacts with research and other public actors relevant to the establishment.
Research at Linköping University
Research at Linköping University covers a broad range of disciplines related to digital technologies across three of the university’s four campuses. From its founding in the 1970s, innovation and digitalization have been fundamental pillars of the university, and the topic is represented in several faculties and departments.
Several departments conduct research and education directly relevant to digital technologies, contributing specialized expertise from fundamental computer science to applied digitalization in industry and society: Department of Computer Science (IDA), Department of Science and Technology (ITN), Department of Electrical Engineering (ISY), Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (IFM), and Division of Information Systems and Digitalization (within IEI).
There are also several centers and initiatives that are crucial for the development of digital technologies, functioning as platforms where academia, industry, and public sector actors meet to promote research, innovation, and commercialization: the National Supercomputing Centre (NSC), Visualiseringscenter C in Norrköping, the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP), and AI Sweden.
Competence supply
Linköping University (LiU) plays a key role in providing expertise within digital technologies. With over 40,000 students, LiU ranks among the top 2% of universities globally according to several international rankings. The university has a strong focus on technical education and engineering programs.
Educational programs relevant to digital technologies are mainly offered by the Faculty of Engineering, which provides a wide range of engineering degrees, master's programs, and individual courses in areas such as computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, visualization, electronics, communication technology, and systems engineering.
The university hosts several doctoral schools and research programs that strengthen competence supply and enable recruitment of research-trained specialists with advanced expertise. Examples include programs connected to WASP and Visualiseringscenter C.
Financing
For companies within digital technologies in Östergötland, there is a wide range of funding options at regional, national, and European levels. Support is designed to promote innovation, commercialization, and internationalization, based on collaboration among public actors, universities, investors, and industry.
Regionally, funding is managed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). At the national level, funding is available via agencies such as Vinnova, Tillväxtverket, Almi Företagspartner, and the Swedish Energy Agency, supporting research projects, innovation collaborations, and growing companies. Almi also offers loans and venture capital to small and medium-sized enterprises. Several national clusters and programs, such as AI Sweden and WASP, provide additional funding opportunities and resource support.
At the European level, companies and researchers can participate in initiatives like Horizon Europe, Digital Europe Programme, and various Structural Funds programs, which offer substantial resources for international collaboration projects and technological development.
Beyond public funding, a growing network of private investors, venture capital firms, and corporate accelerators exists regionally and nationally, with a particular interest in digital technology companies. Combined with incubators and science parks, this creates a comprehensive funding ecosystem for startups and established companies alike.
The role of Region Östergötland as a regional investment promotion agency
Region Östergötland receives various establishment inquiries either via Business Sweden or directly from individual companies. The region conducts an initial assessment of which municipalities in the county might be relevant for the establishment and then sends out inquiries to them. They receive responses regarding whether the investment aligns with their strategies or if they otherwise have the capacity to host the respective establishment. Additional support, such as site visits, may also be offered.
Furthermore, expert support from actors within the innovation support system can be provided. In digital technologies, support can be offered through Linköping Science Park and Norrköping Science Park. This support may involve technical expertise for the relevant companies as well as for municipalities that could be relevant for the establishment.
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