Financial ecosystems around incubators
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Science Park Jönköping AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 762 500 |
| Project duration | December 2018 - October 2020 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Incubation support - Development project |
| Call | Development projects in incubators – 2017-2019 |
Important results from the project
The project goal was to enable knowledge sharing between small and medium sized incubators, to ensure a better ability to build financial ecosystems around our environments. This has been done through an analysis of the system to grasp the lessons learned, and through an ERFA-meeting and several telephone interviews where these questions were raised. We have compiled the results in a comprehensive guide for those that need support in starting their investment structures. We have also built a structure, financed by donations, aiming to contribute to the growth of early stage companies.
Expected long term effects
A project result is the verification of the lack of knowledge in small and medium sized incubators regarding the formation of financial products. To bridge the knowledge gap and to foster a sound knowledge level in each environment, collaboration and information sharing across regional borders is needed. We hope to conduct more ERFA-meetings and that our guide will serve as a lodestar in the assessment of the applicability regarding starting own investment structures and also to explore alternative investment methods other than pure venture capital in early phases.
Approach and implementation
The project has been divided into three parts: analysis of the system to identify those that have their own investment structures and to extract lessons therefrom, working towards sharing information and experiences in the sector - this has been done through an ERFA-meeting and two investment courses, and the initiation of a long term structure without a demand on a rate of return. This structure is in the form of a foundation which is financed through donations, and provides grants and seed investments for companies in a pre-incubation phase in order to stimulate innovation.