2. INNOVATE SWEDEN CO- CREATING THE FUTURE
Slide – Innovative Sweden – Co-creating the future
Welcome to innovative Sweden
I would like to borrow a few minutes of your time to introduce you to Sweden, a country of innovation
Innovation has had a crucial role in the development of Sweden’s welfare and success over the years.
But I dare to say that innovation has never been as important as it is today – moving into the future.

3. It’s time for a change Innovation has never been more crucial
Slide – It’s time for change
The challenges we are facing are enormous.
Greta Thunberg – maybe the most known Swede at the moment – wants us to understand our responsibility to act.
She has the courage and the will to make a difference.
We’re in this together – humanity’s and our planet’s future depend on our ability to solve the challenges ahead.
We know for sure that the road we have been travelling on for decades is not an alternative.
Agenda 2030 is the roadmap we have all agreed upon and now it is time for action.
Innovation has never been more crucial.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se

4. Photo: Sofia Sabel/imagebank.sweden.se

5. Sustainable development
A holistic approach to innovation is required
Sustainable development
System
innovation
Collaboration
Slide – A holistic approach to innovation is needed
A sustainable future requires a completely new type of innovation.
We need to transform our society, cities, our welfare, value chains and consumption patterns to sustainable alternatives. (CLICK)
If we are to succeed, we must look at innovation from a holistic perspective, we need to think about innovation at a system level. (CLICK)
This requires new legislation, rules and structures enabling and supporting transformation. (CLICK)
It also requires collaboration on a broad front, between organisations, industries and countries.

6. Sweden - A country of transformation
Slide – A country of transformation
Sweden has for centuries had the will and ability to successfully transform.
In the late 1800s Sweden was one of the world’s poorest nations.
We have found ways to handle societal- and industry shifts and to adapt to the changing world around us.
We transformed from being an poor, agricultural nation to an industrial society to one of the world’s most digitised countries.
As a small export-dependent country, globalisation has a decisive influence on the economic development in Sweden.
Our country’s future is determined by how well our companies succeed in leveraging new opportunities and meeting the global market’s changing needs in a competitive way.
(About the picture: We have a lot of forest in Sweden. And it is a great resource of innovation. Her dress is made from materials extracted from wood).
Photo: Anna Sigge/Smart Textiles/imagebank.sweden.se

7. Innovation Scoreboard
A top nation for innovation #1 #3 #1
Slide – A top nation for innovation
Sweden has been ranked as one of the world’s leading innovative nations for years. (CLICK)
Our capacity for innovation is high according to various international comparisons performed by the European Commission, the World Economic Forum and other well-reputed institutions. (CLICK)
This is a position that we are working hard to maintain, by never being satisfied and constantly improving.
2018, three Nordic countries, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, top the global SDG Index ranking, yet all three still face major challenges in achieving the SDGs. (Sweden nr 1).(CLICK)
 These are some of the indexes in which Sweden is ranked among the top.
Background information:
European Innovation Scoreboard 2018: Rank 1 (of 36) (
Global Innovation Index 2018: Rank 3 (of 128) (
Global Competitiveness Index 2018: Rank 9 (of 140) ( The Global Competitiveness Report is a broader comparison, where innovation is one area. Sweden ranked third for the ratio of PCT patents and applications to its population and fourth for the capacity for innovation. But it placed 23rd for government procurement of advanced tech products and 14th for the availability of scientists and engineers.
The SDG Index ranks Sweden as nr 1, 2018:
European
Innovation Scoreboard
Global
Innovation Index
SDG
Index

8. Photo: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se

9. #2 #2 #2 A world-class start-up scene Unicorns produced per capita
Slide – A world-class start-up scene
During the past decades Sweden has developed a world-class start-up scene, creating a vast amount of attention from entrepreneurs, investors and talents.
After Silicon Valley, the Swedish capital – Stockholm - produces the highest number of so-called ‘unicorns’ (or billion-dollar tech companies) per capita than any other city. (CLICK)
South Korea-based accelerator SparkLabs, recently ranked Stockholm second in terms of the most supportive environment for start-ups, after Silicon Valley. But before mega cities such as New York, LA, and Beijing. (CLICK)
This strong position is confirmed by the European Digital City Index (2016), ranking Stockholm second both in terms of ecosystem for start-ups and scale-ups. (CLICK)
A number of factors have created an environment that has fostered over 22,000 tech businesses – in Stockholm alone.  
More info/source
Unicorns
produced per capita
SparkLabs
Global Ventures
EDCi – European
Digital City Index 2016

10. BEHIND THE SCENES Where great ideas grow
Slide – Behind the scenes – where great ideas grow
What has made Sweden become a leading place for innovation, where great ideas grow? Let us peek behind the scenes.

11. Slide – Unlocking the potential of everyone
Sweden has unlocked the potential of the whole population and have the highest female and maternal employment rates in Europe. (CLICK)
In Sweden work-life balance is integrated into the culture, making it possible to combine a family life with a career. The welfare system has been created to offer a high quality of life and to enable men and women equal opportunities. Day care costs are subsidised by the government, making it extremely affordable. The welfare system creates a safety net for individuals, making it possible to try an alternative career or develop a business idea. (CLICK)
A full-time employee gets a minimum of five weeks of paid vacation, extensive parental leave (480 days) and the right to work part-time (75 per cent until the youngest child is eight years of age or has finished the first year at school). (CLICK) Not seldomly, it is during these breaks, when people have time to reflect, that new ideas pop up and grow.
Photo: Sofia Sabel/imagebank.sweden.se

12. Unlocking the potential of everyone
Highest female employment rates in Europe
A welfare system creating a safety net
Extensive vacation and parental leave
Slide – Unlocking the potential of everyone
Sweden has unlocked the potential of the whole population and have the highest female and maternal employment rates in Europe. (CLICK)
In Sweden work-life balance is integrated into the culture, making it possible to combine a family life with a career. The welfare system has been created to offer a high quality of life and to enable men and women equal opportunities. Day care costs are subsidised by the government, making it extremely affordable. The welfare system creates a safety net for individuals, making it possible to try an alternative career or develop a business idea. (CLICK)
A full-time employee gets a minimum of five weeks of paid vacation, extensive parental leave (480 days) and the right to work part-time (75 per cent until the youngest child is eight years of age or has finished the first year at school). (CLICK) Not seldom, it is during these breaks, when people have time to reflect, that new ideas pop up and grow.

13. A strong belief in the power of creativity
Swedish management encouraging creativity and critical thinking
Non-hierarchical organisations
Decisions through consensus
Slide – A strong belief in the power of creativity
We strongly believe in the power of creativity. Throughout day-care, the school system, and work life, creativity is encouraged. Letting people free their mind and think outside the box has paved the way for success in many areas. (CLICK)
This has not only made Sweden the world’s number one exporter of music in relation to GDP (Swedish house dj and producer Avicii), but also resulted in global successes in literature and film (Millennium), design, spectacular tourist attractions (Ice Hotel) and exciting digital companies revolutionising their industries (Spotify and Minecraft).
An open and international climate, where influences and competences come together, creates a hotbed for new ideas. Add to this a Swedish management style that encourages cooperation and critical thinking. The Swedish workplace is characterised by a casual atmosphere and is less hierarchical than in many other countries. (CLICK)
There is a strong belief in the individual’s capacity to take responsibility, and a will to reach compromise and consensus when it comes to making decisions and reaching solutions. (CLICK)
Sweden is also the first country in the world to make the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child law.

14. Innovation and tech friendly society
We welcome new technology
A world-class
infrastructure
Openness and
progressiveness
Innovation and tech friendly society
Slide – We welcome new technology
Sweden has always been open to international trade, new influences and foreign people. With this comes a curiosity for new ideas, trends and technologies.
We are an innovation friendly country. We fear old technology – and welcome new!
We have taken several strategic decisions that enabled our society and people to become early adopters.
The Swedish success in the digitalised economy can partly be explained by strong investments in digital infrastructure. (CLICK) Sweden was early to offer a world-class broadband network and today have among the highest penetration of both internet users and smartphones in the world.
Apart from extensive broadband investments (fixed and mobile), the Swedish government offered a tax break for residents to buy personal computers back in the 1990s. This led to a huge influx of computers in homes and has created a tech-savvy population with an openness to and demand for new technology. (CLICK)
This has created an environment ideal for innovation and implementation of new applications. (CLICK) Sweden is for example in the forefront when it comes to modern digital payment solutions, and cash is rarely required in daily life. New solutions for digital payment, such as Swedish iZettle, has made it possible to pay with credit card almost everywhere. Another well-spread digital payment solution is Swedish Swish, allowing you to send money (micro-transactions) to friends, companies and organisations using your mobile phone. Already today several shops and restaurants are cash-free – and Sweden may very well be the world’s first cashless society within a few years.
Source:
Photo: Hans-Olof Utsi/imagebank.sweden.se

15. Sweden’s distribution of R&D spending
Extensive investment in R&D
R&D spending of GDP
Sweden’s distribution of R&D spending
Slide – Extensive investments in R&D
Sweden’s annual investment in R&D are among the highest in the world. (CLICK)
3,3% of GDP was spent on R&D in 2017, which can be compared to the OECD average of 2,37%.
The largest share of these investments (61%) comes from the private sector, but the public sector is a crucial contributor in many ways. (CLICK)
Today, Sweden conducts leading research in a number of areas.
On a national level a collaborative approach has been setup to address future challenges and opportunities within Smart cities, the future of mobility and transportation, life science, connected industry and new material and circular bio based economy.
Source.

16. The world’s population
Academic excellence
Slide – Academic excellence
The Nobel prize is a testament to Sweden’s long standing commitment to excellence in research.  
The entire Swedish higher education system is ranked as one of the best in the world, and several Swedish universities are ranked by the Times Higher Education and the Academic Ranking of World Universities as being among the world’s best. (CLICK)
3 of the world’s top 100 universities are based in Sweden.(CLICK)
For a country with a population of 10 million inhabitants (0,13%), that is quite remarkable.
Sweden’s population end 2018: (SCB)
World population mid 2019:
Source:
The world’s top 100 universities
The world’s population
Photo: Nobel Media AB 2015/Alexander Mahmoud

17. Innovation-driven business sector
Slide – Innovation-driven business sector
Innovation is core business in Sweden’s business sector.
A surprisingly large number of multinational export companies have started their journey in Sweden. (This slide shows some of them). (CLICK)
With a small domestic market, Swedish companies with an ambition to grow need to export to customers around the world.
This made Sweden an early player on the globalised market.
Sweden is a country of tech, and technology is successfully combined with gaming, finance, music, food and environment creating new types of flourishing companies in ICT, IoT, gaming, fintech, musictech, cleantech, foodtech, edtech, medtech, lifescience…
You might have heard of companies such as Skype (ICT), Spotify (music tech), Klarna (fintech), Bambora (fintech), iZettle (fintech), Episerver (digital platform for CSM and e-commerce), Mojang (gaming - Minecraft) and King (gaming - Candy Crush Saga). They all started their journey as start-ups in Sweden a few years back, with a mind-set to go global. All of them have become unicorns.

18. Innovative public sector
Slide – Innovative public sector
Sweden has a large public sector.
30% of the entire Swedish workforce are employed in this sector.
With an aging population, digitalisation and urbanisation, the public sector is facing big challenges.
This requires increased efficiency in service delivery as well as new types of services meeting the societal needs.
There is therefore a constant focus on innovation and development in Swedish public sector, with the user at core.
To give a few examples the Swedish Tax Agency managing civil registration of private individuals and the collection of taxes such as personal income tax, corporate tax, VAT and excise tax, probably has one of the most effective administrations.
The agency has gone from accounting to service provider.
Forget extensive income tax return on paper. In Sweden you can approve a pre printed version of your taxes online or via a text from your phone. If you need to change or add things, you can do that as well.
Your income tax return can be done in a few minutes from your mobile phone.
Another example is Verksamt.se, a joint service from four Swedish public agencies, making it possible to register and start a company online within minutes.
Photo: Fialotta Bratt, Skatteverket

19. Quadruple helix system
INDUSTRY
Slide – Quadruple helix system
When a strong business sector (CLICK), academic excellence (CLICK) and an innovative public sector (CLICK) is brought together innovation excels.
We have a long tradition of collaboration among these three sectors in Sweden and many of our largest companies have emerged and prospered trough such interaction.
In the last few years the civil society have been incorporated in this system creating a quadruple helix system. (CLICK)
By bringing competence and ideas together we favor innovation and new technology.
This is crucial in the transformation to a sustainable society.
We share a strong belief in the power of collaboration and have an innovation system stimulating co-creation.
CIVIL
SOCIETY
ACADEMIA
GOVERNMENT

20. MOVING INTO THE FUTURE Strategic areas in focus
Slide – Moving into the future – Strategic areas in focus
To meet the challenges we are facing the Swedish government has chosen five strategic areas in which collaboration and investments are stimulated to speed up development.

21. Nation wide and focused commitments
Slide – Nation wide and focused commitment
These five are areas in which Sweden has excellence in research, a strong business sector and opportunities to create global success.
The areas are: smart cities (CLICK),future mobility (CLICK), circular and bio based economy (CLICK), life science (CLICK) and smart industry (connected industry) and new materials (CLICK).
Let’s take a look at some examples.
Smart cities
Next generation
travel and transport
Circular and
biobased economy
Life science
Connected industry
and new materials

22. Smart cities: world-class recycling
Slide – Areas of focus – Smart cities
For the first time, more than half of humanity lives in cities, and the urban population continues to grow. This rapid urbanisation is exerting pressure on fresh water supplies, sewage, the living environment, and public health.
The world’s cities occupy just 3 per cent of the Earth’s land, but account for 75 per cent of carbon emissions and 60–80 per cent of all energy consumption. Clearly, solutions are needed for a smarter and more sustainable urban living.
In the smart city, innovations, digitalisation, and environmental and climate technologies create opportunities for meeting society’s challenges in an efficient and sustainable way so that a good environment in which people can live without wasting earth’s resources is possible.
A holistic approach is required and a circular mindset is needed.
Example:
This is a an example from a Stockholm neighbourhood with easy recycling through automated vacuum collection stations. The people living in the neighbourhood sort their waste in colored bags and vacuum collection stations collect them underground. From there, depending on what kind of garbage it is, the bags are recycled. Less than 1% of Swedish household waste, goes to landfill.
Other examples (from toolkit smart cities):
We turn wastewater into fuel: Henriksdal wastewater treatment plant is one of the world’s biggest of its kind – and one of the most modern. It serves approximately one million people in the Stockholm area, and has a capacity of roughly 250,000 cubic metres per day. The wastewater sludge is transported to the adjacent biogas plant, where large volumes of eco-friendly biogas are produced and processed, contributing to the sustainable development of Stockholm.
We build blocks of flats with timber frames: Timber is lightweight and easily handled, but still has an excellent load-bearing capacity. The material is also easy to maintain and gives a warm and vibrant feeling. The characteristics allow the construction to breathe and balance humidity as well as energy. Another positive environmental impact is that timber structures store carbon dioxide throughout their lifespan.
A growing sharing economy: We consume more today than our planet is capable of sustaining, and consumption in Sweden continues to increase. This means that we need to find new smart solutions that can meet our needs while using less resources. Sharing services represents an answer that is becoming more common in Swedish cities. We share bikes, cars, garden tools etc.
Photo: City of Stockholm/imagebank.sweden.se

23. Sustainable mobility: automated vehicles
Slide – Areas of focus – Sustainable mobility
With over 1,570 kilometres between the mountainous north and the sandy beaches of the south, Sweden is highly dependent on transportation. So much that domestic transport accounts for about one third of Sweden's greenhouse gas emissions. If foreign shipping and air services are included, the proportion is just over 40 per cent. When it comes to domestic transport, road traffic accounts for more than 90 per cent of emissions.
Simultaneously, Sweden has always been ranked as a top country when it comes to both environmental protection and sustainability.
As of January 2018, Sweden’s ambitious new climate change legislation entered into force, setting out a framework for the country to become a net zero greenhouse emitter by 2045 at the latest.
Example:
Volvo Trucks’ electric, connected and autonomous vehicle Vera will form part of an integrated solution to transport goods from a logistics centre to a port terminal in Gothenburg, Sweden. The assignment is a result of a new collaboration between Volvo Trucks and the ferry and logistics company, DFDS.
The purpose of the collaboration is to implement Vera in a real application, enabling a connected system for a continuous flow of goods, from a DFDS’ logistics centre to an APM Terminals port facility in Gothenburg, for distribution across the world. 
In 2018, Volvo Trucks presented its first electric, connected and autonomous solution, designed for repetitive assignments in logistics centres, factories and ports. Vera is suited for short distances, transporting large volumes of goods with high precision.
Photo: AB Volvo

24. Circular economy: 100% recyclable bottles
Slide - Areas of focus – Circular economy
In a circular economy we do more with less.
The life span of materials and products is longer and the amount of waste is smaller.
It is done by reusing, repairing, recycling, upgrading, renting and sharing.
Everything is done in a way that is non-toxic, resource-efficient, climate-smart and that does not harm people, animals, nature, water or air.
Example:
The Paper Bottle is an innovation project where BillerudKorsnäs collaborates with some of the world's leading players in barriers, design and technology. United in shaping the future of packaging by creating the world's first 100 percent recyclable and  biodegradable paper bottle for carbonated beverages.
The BillerudKorsnäs team has developed the pulp recipe, chemistry and grinding to optimize the Paper Bottle design properties and the ability to withstand high pressure as well as  optimize the manufacturing process. The manufacturing process uses a technique based on thermoforming, which makes it possible to produce intricate forms, quickly and with reduced energy consumption.
The development work is underway with the hope of starting a pilot production in the near future and, depending on the result of this, scale up and reach a significant production within a few years.
Photo: BillerudKorsnäs

25. Life science: combatting antibiotic resistance
Slide – Areas of focus – Life science
Sweden’s dedication to the health of its citizens is evident, as the country has long focused on frontline medical research and innovation, while simultaneously giving all citizens affordable access to high-quality healthcare.
Factors contributing to Sweden’s life science journey:
a strong level of collaboration,
a substantial clinical infrastructure,
efficient innovation hubs,
an extensive system of bio-data resources,
as well as a society-wide focus on prevention and health.
Swedes have a basically healthy attitude toward diet and exercise. Government food recommendations, sports activities and outdoor days at school, and a widespread membership in amateur sports associations have long been part of the typical Swedish everyday life. School nurses, childhood vaccination programmes, subsidised eyewear and free dental care up to the age of 23 are examples of preventive societal efforts. Many Swedish workplaces have both wellness and exercise periods during working hours. All to increase the prospect of a healthy population.
Example:
A different aspect of preventive care is how to face the threat of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics save lives, a situation people have long taken for granted. The increase in antibiotic resistance is a major global health risk, and there is broad political consensus in Sweden to prioritise efforts to combat the trend.
In 1986 Sweden was the first country to stop using antibiotics in feed for growth-promoting purposes in healthy animals, which has since become law throughout the EU. Sweden has initiated and hosted the international research collaboration Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance which now includes 27 countries.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se

26. Connected industry: additive manufacturing
Slide – Areas of focus – Connected industry
We are now in the midst of an industrial revolution, which once again puts the industry’s innovative thinking to the test. In order to meet the global challenges that we face in common, higher demands, perhaps than ever, are placed on the industry’s skills level, ability to change and willingness to cooperate.
 The industrial sector is undergoing a structural transformation that is driven by several forces; globalisation, digitalisation and the transition to a green, resource-efficient economy. This transformation towards a digitalised and sustainable industrial production creates new opportunities, but is also a threat for those who don’t manage to adapt.
Example:
3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that creates physical objects from a digital three-dimensional design. The technology is revolutionising production. Sweden has a long history of efficient and successful industrial production. Perhaps that’s why it took some time to take the full step toward 3D printing. That delay is now compensated by a major investment in the area where leading companies in Sweden’s manufacturing industry have joined together to start the company Amexci.
Amexci is a collaborative initiative that brings together expertise in additive manufacturing. It is a joint venture owned by ABB, Atlas Copco, Electrolux, Fam, Husqvarna Group, Höganäs, SAAB, Scania, SKF, Storaenso and Wärtsilä. The stakeholders work as partners to the owner companies but act independently. The hope is for focus and speed to increase the pace of innovation and drive the development of next-generation products in metal details and components.
Photo: Amexci

27. Change, act, co-create! Slide – Change, act, co-create!
These examples on what Sweden is currently focusing on to reach a more sustainable development concludes my presentation.
By sharing knowledge, solutions and best-practice we can co-create a better future for the next generation.
It’s time for change and action. Together we can solve the challenges ahead.
Thank you!
Photo: Ann-Sofi Rosenkvist/imagebank.sweden.se