On September 16-19, 2023, a delegation from Andøya, Norway, visited Linköping for a study trip to gather inspiration and forge new connections in the fields of space technology, defence, and regional development. The visit, organized by Innovation Norway, involved around 30 political, business, and public administration representatives. The BE applicants participated both in the Future Space Conference and in a two-day study program organized by Linköping Science Park. With Linköping recently named Europe’s most innovative city, it was a fitting destination for a region aiming to boost its role in the rapidly growing space sector.
Linköping’s Innovative Environment Impresses Visitors
After two days of conferences, the study tour part started with a warm welcome from Mayor Mikael Sigfridsson, who introduced Linköping as a city with strong innovation capabilities and high ambitions. Quoting Swedish astronaut Marcus Wandt, Sigfridsson said, “Don’t say something is impossible unless you know it’s impossible,” underscoring Linköping’s drive to push the boundaries of what’s achievable. He highlighted the city’s expertise in cybersecurity and defense, driven by companies like Saab, which play a critical role in maintaining Linköping’s security-conscious environment.
Mikael Sanfridson
Malin Ljung, business development strategist at Linköping Municipality, followed with a presentation on the city’s journey to becoming Europe’s most innovative city, a title awarded by the EU Commission through the iCapital Award. Ljung emphasized that this honor marks the beginning of a new chapter for Linköping. “Now the real work begins,” she said, stressing the importance of continued collaboration between the municipality, businesses, and academia to sustain innovation.
Space and Defense at the Heart of Andøya Delegation’s Visit
The Norwegian delegation was particularly interested in Linköping due to the city’s strong ties to both the defense industry and the burgeoning space sector. Fredrik Korpe from Innovation Norway, who was part of the delegation, explained how Andøya Space, a key player in Norway’s space industry, aims to become one of Europe’s leading satellite launch sites.
Leif Haglund and Jonas Dehlin, Maxar.
Per-Olof Marklund, CTO at Saab Aeronautics, provided an in-depth look at Saab’s journey and technical innovations in the aviation industry. He spoke about the advanced technology behind the Gripen fighter jet, highlighting its role as one of the world’s most cost-effective military aircraft systems. “Flying a Gripen today is much simpler than piloting an older aircraft like a Piper,” he said, emphasizing that modern fighter pilots are now more like operators of complex systems than traditional pilots. Marklund also shared insights into Saab’s global operations, including significant projects in Brazil, underscoring the company’s commitment to national defence and international security. Saab’s sale of Gripen to Brazil is Sweden’s biggest export deal ever. It is impacting both Sweden and Brazil and the innovation ecosystem around Linköping.
Learning from Linköping’s Science and Technology Ecosystem
One of the key themes of the visit was how regional innovation ecosystems can drive economic growth and technological advancement. Lena Miranda, CEO of Linköping Science Park, gave a detailed overview of the various innovation clusters in the region, including AI Sweden, IoT World, and Visual Sweden, which have positioned Linköping as a leader in cutting-edge technology. “These clusters represent the pinnacle of our innovation system,” she said, explaining how they bring together expertise from academia, industry, and society to foster deep competence in specific fields.
At LEAD there is a wall with all the gold boots from companies that have been kicked out after completing the incubation process.
Jonas Nilsson, CEO of Norrköping Science Park, shared how his park has played a crucial role in transforming Norrköping from an industrial town with a strong textile industry to a hub for high-tech innovation. He highlighted the Aero EDIH initiative, which focuses on future aviation technologies, particularly drones and autonomous flight, and emphasized the importance of infrastructure in supporting innovation.
Focus on Security and Talent for Long-Term Success
In the afternoon, the conversation turned to security and talent management, both essential for fostering sustainable innovation. Anders Fernemark, head of security at Linköping Municipality, discussed how physical security is built through a combination of personnel, technology, and operational procedures. He outlined how the municipality works strategically and systematically to manage risks and ensure security across different sectors.
Mattias Arwelöf, head of bilateral security operations at Saab, further expanded on the topic by discussing the challenges of maintaining global security in Saab’s operations, especially with projects like the Gripen fighter jet in Brazil. He emphasized that security is not just about technology but also involves behaviour, processes, and international agreements.
The day wrapped up with Anna Broeders, Talent & Skills Manager at Linköping Science Park, who addressed the region’s approach to long-term talent recruitment. Broeders explained how Linköping Science Park works closely with the local university and regional actors to ensure that the region remains attractive to international talent. She highlighted the importance of creating an environment where highly skilled professionals want to live and work, emphasizing the role of lifelong learning and continuous professional development.
Reflections and Future Collaboration
As the first day drew to a close, participants from both Sweden and Norway engaged in a broad discussion about the similarities and differences between Linköping and Andøya. The conversation revolved around the importance of building strong networks and fostering trust between organizations. The Norwegian delegation was particularly interested in Linköping’s approach to talent development and regional collaboration, which they felt could be adapted to northern Norway’s unique challenges.
On the second day, Leif Haglund, strategic advisor at Maxar, also shared insights into the region’s image processing and satellite technology leadership. Haglund’s presentation highlighted the significant impact of Linköping’s companies on global image analysis, with Maxar’s satellite images being used in major international events, such as disaster response and military operations in Ukraine. He stressed the importance of long-term investment in technology and collaboration between universities, businesses, and government agencies.
The delegation also visited the LEAD Business Incubator, where they met with Martina Hegestig, Business Operations Manager and Björn Lindeberg, Business Coach, to learn how deep-tech startups are nurtured and supported in the region. LEAD’s role in fostering new defence technologies was exciting to the delegation, especially given Sweden’s recent NATO membership and the potential for increased collaboration in these sectors.
Almost 20 years later: Bjarte Bugge back at LEAD. To the right Martina Hegestig.
The leader of the delegation, Bjarte Bugge, had a nostalgic feeling when the group entered LEAD. Almost 20 years ago, he started his company Usify here, recently sold to Variant, and the golden boot all companies get when they are “kicked out” of the incubator he once received was still there. Today, Bjarte is the Head of people-empowered change in Andøy municipality.
A Shared Vision for the future
The visit concluded with a joint reflection on the many parallels between Andøya and Linköping. Both regions are deeply invested in developing their aerospace industries and see strong potential for future collaboration. The exchange highlighted how both regions can learn from each other in building robust innovation ecosystems that support economic growth and technological advancements.
