Incubator for Smart Sustainable Energy Systems
What resources, skills, and structures are needed to initiate a regional incubator for innovative business ideas within smart sustainable energy systems? Glava Energy Center explored this in a feasibility study partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Region Värmland, Arvika Municipality, and Westra Wermlands Sparbank. The feasibility study took place between December 2022 and August 2023.
Startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in transitioning towards a smart sustainable energy system. They have the potential to develop and deliver the innovative, smart, and sustainable products and services required in the energy system. However, startups and small SMEs often face limitations in resources and networks, hindering their capacity to transform a smart product or service from an idea stage into a profitable innovation.
In light of this, Glava Energy Center conducted a feasibility study concerning an incubator for smart sustainable energy systems. An incubator is a support system offering startups or small businesses with innovative business ideas support to develop those ideas, thereby promoting and facilitating the path towards growth and profitability.
What is the goal of the feasibility study?
The aim of the feasibility study was to identify and clarify the requirements, such as resources, skills, and structures, needed to establish a regional incubator for startups and SMEs within smart sustainable energy systems. The incubator can then be formalized, further developed, and ensured in quality, possibly through an upcoming implementation project.
Thus, the feasibility study sets the groundwork for a new, relevant, and sustainable regional entrepreneurial arena. In this way, the study contributes both to the companies' innovation capabilities and competitiveness, as well as to the expected and necessary energy transition.
How was the feasibility study conducted?
The feasibility study comprised three different work packages:
WP1 – Feasibility Study
This phase explored regional fundamental conditions for a regional incubator within sustainable energy systems. It involved mapping available resources and skills, as well as identifying deficiencies in resources and skills that might be available in other regions.
WP2 – Organizational Study and Program Content
This work package involved an organizational study to outline roles, responsibilities, and resource allocation. Benchmarking successful incubators was conducted to draw inspiration and learnings. Moreover, models for the content of the incubator were developed, focusing on innovation models for startups and established SMEs.
WP3 – Communication
The progress of the feasibility study's work packages was communicated externally through digital channels such as Glava Energy Center's website, newsletters, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Additionally, a series of webinars and a dissemination conference were conducted within the framework of the feasibility study.
Project Details
- Project Period: December 12, 2022 – August 31, 2023
- Funding: European Regional Development Fund (main funder), Region Värmland, Arvika Municipality, Westra Wermlands Sparbank, Glava Energy Center
- Total Budget: 1,100,000 SEK
- Project Coordinator: Glava Energy Center
- Contact Person at Glava Energy Center: Isac Myrén Andersson, see Contact.