University West and Innovatum Science Park start long-term collaboration on entrepreneurship

University West and Innovatum Science Park are starting a long-term collaboration on innovation and entrepreneurship. Initiatives for doctoral students have already begun and during the fall, the incubator will hold a lecture series for everyone at the university who is curious about entrepreneurship.

- The purpose of the collaboration is to create even better conditions for students who want to realize business ideas as well as doctoral students and researchers who want to commercialize their research results. "We have been working together with Innovatum Science Park for many years but are now taking the collaboration to the next level," says Mats Jägstam, Vice-Chancellor of University West.

A clearer role for the incubator

University West has long worked to stimulate entrepreneurship and enterprise among students, researchers and teachers. Through the deepened cooperation that is now being initiated, new working methods will be established between the parties and the incubator will have a clearer role in the University's innovation system.

- "University West is an important partner for us and we are very happy to now take the next step in our collaboration! We at the incubator want to help more students and researchers get their ideas to the market so that they benefit society, says Eivind Vogel-Rödin, Head of the Incubator at Innovatum Science Park.

Already, the University's Grants and Innovation Office (GIO) has established work to link researchers and doctoral students with the business development support offered by the incubator. In September, a seminar for doctoral students was also held to introduce the possibilities of using their research outside academia.

Lunch lectures at the university this fall

To stimulate entrepreneurship among students, the incubator will hold the lecture series "From business idea to startup" on campus during October and November. The lectures, which take place during lunchtime, are aimed at students in all programs at University West. PhD students, researchers and staff at the university are also welcome.

-The lectures are aimed at everyone at University West who is curious about innovation and entrepreneurship. No prior knowledge is required and participation is free of charge. We hope for a lot of interest, says Fredrik Christensson, collaboration strategist at University West.

The lecture series is divided into three sessions focusing on: introduction and inspiration (October 17), product development with the customer in focus (November 7), and financing the business idea (November 21). The speakers are the incubator's business coaches who have made their own entrepreneurial journeys - Magnus Mollstedt, Frida Finnman, Deborah Lygonis and Markus Sulkupuro.