New arena for business development

Major importance was placed on the operation also being of interest to small and medium-sized companies as early as when Johanneberg Science Park was set up five years ago. There has been an excellent response, which can be observed, among other things, in the high level of participation in seminars and other activities.

Johanneberg Science Park's SME network is a way to move the project a step forward and to create a somewhat more organised platform where small businesses can meet, exchange ideas and initiate collaborations.

“So that we can become even better, we would like to know more about what really interests small and medium-sized companies and what we can do for them. In the somewhat longer term we would therefore be keen to have a representative for the network on Johanneberg Science Park's Board of Directors with the capacity to influence the operation”, says Mats Bergh, CEO of Johanneberg Science Park.

The inaugural ceremony on 24 November brought together some 130 members who, besides participating in workshops on the network's focus and content, socialised, ate and enjoyed the entertainment.

All guests were given the opportunity to send in an A4 sheet in advance about their companies and what they offer. This majority of the evening's guests did so and all the contributions submitted were hung in a "Hall of Fame" where the participants at the event socialised, took photographs, talked and, yes, a few deals were no doubt struck as well.

Rolf Lundqvist, founder of a company called Mytoz travelled from Vårgårda to take part. He joined the SME network because he believes in personal meetings.

“Almost everything new and innovative is created through people meeting. Knowledge and experiences have to be combined for anything to happen. No children would ever be born if we were always on our own,” he says laughing.

Mytoz's business idea is to offer free mobile telephony, including phones. It will all be financed through consumer-driven advertising.

Lena Palm is fundamentally a social scientist who is now running the Bostadslobbyn company. She works as a consultant specialising in social sustainability within the housing sector.

“For me this is an excellent opportunity to network and to learn and be inspired by others. I absolutely believe that it can lead to collaborations. I have already exchanged some business cards, including with an owner of a business that operates within the work environment field. We can probably complement each other”, she says.

Lars-Bertil Ekman, CEO of Anor Fastigheter, is not just member of the SME network. Since April this year he also has an office on the "Cooperation Floor" in Johanneberg Science Park's Gold Building.

“As I am alone in the company thus far it has been very positive to be located in an environment where I meet others who are engaged in urban development. I view the SME network as an opportunity to meet people I would not otherwise encounter. For example, this evening I have spoken to a Russian management consultant. Networking is a good way to disseminate knowledge and generate new ideas”, he says.

Anne Tingvall is a business advisor and leadership developer in her own company, Affärsprogress.

“I have joined the network in order to establish contacts that can lead to joint business deals. I am a marketer and have worked with engineers almost all my life. If I can help them to access the market with their products and services we will have created a win-win-collaboration”, she says.

Johanneberg Science Park has not set any criteria for joining the SME network. All owners of small businesses that are interested are welcome. Neither is there a target for how large the network should be or how fast it should grow. The needs and interests of the business owners are the determining factors.

“There is no upper limit. But if there was to be a thousand members it would be fantastic”, says CEO Mats Bergh enthusiastically.

You too can be a member!

Contact for questions:
Katarina Nordström, SME contacts and communication, +46 (0)709 - 35 38 60
katarina.nordstrom@johannebergsciencepark.com