{"id":4870,"date":"2025-11-13T08:27:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T08:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skellefteasciencecity.se\/?post_type=case&p=4870"},"modified":"2026-02-27T08:46:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T08:46:40","slug":"watt-an-idea-connects-partners-and-creates-impact-across-skelleftea","status":"publish","type":"case","link":"https:\/\/www.skellefteasciencecity.se\/en\/case\/watt-an-idea-connects-partners-and-creates-impact-across-skelleftea\/","title":{"rendered":"Watt an Idea connects partners and creates impact across Skellefte\u00e5"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Watt an Idea connects partners and <\/span>\n creates impact across Skellefte\u00e5<\/span>\n <\/h1>\n
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How can an established industrial company and innovative startups more easily connect?
\r\nIn Skellefte\u00e5, the answer was Watt an Idea, an initiative where Skellefte\u00e5 Science City and Skellefte\u00e5 Kraft opened the door to new collaborations in energy and sustainable technology.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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Northern Sweden is currently one of Europe\u2019s most exciting regions for the green transition. In Skellefte\u00e5, new companies, investments and ideas are emerging, not least in the field of future energy solutions.<\/p>\n

One initiative that has made a real difference is Watt an Idea, a programme that brings together Skellefte\u00e5 Kraft and startups with smart solutions. The initiative was launched by Skellefte\u00e5 Kraft, Skellefte\u00e5 Science City and EIT InnoEnergy.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor us, Watt an Idea is about opening doors to new ideas, collaborations and ways of thinking. At Skellefte\u00e5 Kraft, we have extensive experience and deep expertise, but the programme gave us new perspectives and challenged us to think differently. Our long term goal is to continuously develop and improve our energy system,\u201d says Linda Fransson, Business Developer at Skellefte\u00e5 Kraft.<\/p>\n

A flexible model<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The concept behind Watt an Idea began taking shape in 2020 as a three year project called Accelerate Skellefte\u00e5. The idea was simple. Companies in the Skellefte\u00e5 region could describe their challenges, and Skellefte\u00e5 Science City would help identify young, innovative companies in Sweden and across Europe that could contribute new solutions.<\/p>\n

In its final year, 2024, Accelerate evolved into Watt an Idea, tailored specifically to Skellefte\u00e5 Kraft. Through a more flexible model, challenges could be published on an ongoing basis, allowing companies from across Europe to pitch their ideas.<\/p>\n

Skellefte\u00e5 Science City acted as the matchmaker. The team coordinated the process, promoted the initiative, reviewed applications, interviewed startups and prepared participants ahead of meetings. Through EIT InnoEnergy\u2019s network, the challenges were distributed internationally, generating strong interest. More than 90 startups applied to the various calls during the year.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur role was to ensure that the meetings were highly relevant and focused. We prepared both Skellefte\u00e5 Kraft and the applying companies to make the dialogue as concrete and valuable as possible,\u201d says Anna M\u00e5rd, CEO of Skellefte\u00e5 Science City.<\/p>\n

Solutions to real challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For many startups, Watt an Idea marked their first contact with a Swedish industrial company. For Skellefte\u00e5 Kraft, it offered an opportunity to explore new developments, test fresh ideas and find solutions to real challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe see Watt an Idea as a new way of working with innovation. It is about opening the door, testing and learning together. We have gained new contacts, new ideas and a method that we will continue to use going forward,\u201d says Linda Fransson.<\/p>\n

For Skellefte\u00e5 Science City, the final year demonstrated how open innovation can work in practice. As a neutral partner, the organisation was able to build trust and maintain momentum throughout the process.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur strength lies in standing between two worlds. We understand the needs of industry and the drive of startups. When we bring those worlds together, real things happen,\u201d says Anna M\u00e5rd.<\/p>\n

Creating impact across Skellefte\u00e5<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Watt an Idea formally concluded in 2024, but the approach lives on. Skellefte\u00e5 Kraft continues to apply the insights gained in its ongoing innovation work, and Skellefte\u00e5 Science City continues to connect companies and ideas that aim to drive the green transition forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we succeed in creating a match that leads to real collaboration, we have made a difference, not just for the companies involved, but for all of Skellefte\u00e5,\u201d says Anna M\u00e5rd.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"featured_media":4070,"parent":0,"template":"","categories":[87],"class_list":["post-4870","case","type-case","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-case-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWatt an Idea connects partners and creates impact across Skellefte\u00e5 - Skellefte\u00e5 Science City<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skellefteasciencecity.se\/en\/case\/watt-an-idea-connects-partners-and-creates-impact-across-skelleftea\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Watt an Idea connects partners and creates impact across Skellefte\u00e5 - 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