Innovation Office

Innovation and utilisation of research is a central part of Blekinge Institute of Technology's activities. Through the Innovation Office, support for those who want to turn their ideas into reality is strengthened.

The Innovation Office team consists of six experts who work with everything from communicating with students and developing innovative models to providing practical support for idea development.

Process for innovation

Innovation is not magic - it's about combining great ideas with structured work and the right support to turn visions into reality.

At the Innovation Office, we work with a process that is divided into three basic phases:

1. Generate - This is where solutions to recognised problems are identified and developed.
2. Evaluate - In this phase, the developed solution is tested and evaluated to assess whether it meets expectations and has the potential to become viable.
3. Implement - The aim is to make the idea accessible to users and customers by creating a feasible plan.

The process is always adapted to the nature of the idea, the needs of the team and how they want to proceed. Whatever the size or scope of the idea, the best first step is to contact us at the Innovation Office for support and guidance.

We support your ideas

We adapt our support to your needs and collaborate with partners such as Blekinge Business Incubator (BBI), Innovationskontor Syd and other relevant actors. Together we identify what resources are needed and help you drive your idea forward.

Our support can include:

• Coaching through the different stages of the innovation process.
• Financial contributions, where possible.
• Contact with relevant networks and experts.

As part of Blekinge Institute of Technology, you have a unique opportunity to develop ideas in innovation and entrepreneurship - whether you are a student, researcher or employee.

Leap Frog Scholarship

The Leapfrog scholarship is for students to have the opportunity to work fully on their idea during the summer; this is a recurring opportunity.

Ongoing projects

Innovation Office is the contact point for the collaboration with Innovationskontor Syd to provide extended support to researchers, staff and students at BTH.

BEST - Blekinge Entrepreneurship for Smart Growth

The BEST project strengthens entrepreneurship in Blekinge through method development and experiential learning for students, researchers and other potential entrepreneurs.

The project focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills, both:

• Soft skills: Willingness to change, resilience, (self-)leadership and team management.
• Hard skills: Business models, budgeting and domain knowledge.

Special priority is given to Blekinge's smart specialisation areas Marine Technology and Tech.

BEST is a collaboration between Blekinge Institute of Technology and Blekinge Business Incubator, with the aim of creating long-term growth through more sustainable, equal and scalable companies in the region.

The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via Tillväxtverket and Region Blekinge.

Contact persons:

• Kennet Henningsson, Blekinge Institute of Technology
• Mårten Holmberg, Blekinge Business Incubator

Spirit - pilot project for increased utilisation of research

Spirit is testing a national method to increase the utilisation of research from Swedish universities through commercialisation and innovation.

Blekinge Institute of Technology participates in the project together with Chalmers, KTH, Lund University, Luleå University of Technology and LTU Business.

Spirit offers a program aimed at researchers who want to transform their research into practical applications and commercial solutions. Researchers participating in the program will have their working hours compensated within the framework of the project.

Innovation Office South - support for regional innovation

Innovationskontor Syd works to promote innovation and utilisation of research at Swedish universities in southern Sweden.

At present, Innovationskontor Syd supports BTH and Kristianstad University. The mission is to help researchers and other idea carriers to transform research into solutions that create value for society and the region.

Completed projects

The Innovation Office is proud to have contributed to several recently completed projects. These projects show how innovation and collaboration can create long-term value for both research and society.

PreInk - a platform for new ideas

PreInk is a project that focuses on pre-incubation, with the aim of creating a larger volume of potential innovations and entrepreneurs.

The project gives participants the opportunity to test their ideas and develop them at an early stage. Through support and guidance, PreInk helps to turn thoughts and proposals into well thought-out projects and possible innovations.

PreInk is aimed at a broad target group, but Blekinge Institute of Technology places particular emphasis on supporting its students, researchers and staff in the process of developing and realising their ideas.

GASS - Game Accelerate South Sweden

GASS is a project with the ambition to strengthen the gaming industry in southern Sweden and establish the region as a recognised gaming hub.

The project is aimed at gaming-related companies in Skåne and Blekinge and focuses on creating better conditions for growth and development. Through cooperation, networking and targeted efforts, GASS wants to make southern Sweden a key player in the gaming industry, both nationally and internationally.