The annual world conference organized by the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) is currently underway, with a highlight being the presentation of the Inspiring Solutions Award. The Testbed Voucher program from Linköping Science Park was earlier this year named one of the 10 finalists, and we are now delighted to announce that we won!
About the Award
The Inspiring Solutions award highlights successful initiatives from science parks and innovation environments worldwide. These can range from new ways to support startups and talent to collaborations with cities or efforts that strengthen the entire innovation system. Each year, an international expert panel selects ten finalists. IASP members then vote for the three winners of gold, silver, and bronze, which are revealed at the organization’s annual world conference.
“With over 300 member organizations in 80 countries, a place among the top 10 finalists is truly a global recognition that our work with testbed vouchers, connecting the public sector with innovative ideas, is the right way forward, not just for us here in Linköping. We hope that the attention generated by this award can lead more Science Parks and other organizations to test the concept and create their own variations. We are happy to assist in further inspiring and guiding on how to do so,” says Ulrika Johansson, project manager at Linköping Science Park, who has been working operationally with the testbed vouchers since 2022.
A strong track record for Linköping Science Park
This is the sixth time Linköping Science Park has reached the finals of the competition—and the fourth time we have placed in the top tier. Previous successes include:
- 2023, 2nd place: Brilliant Mentors of the Future
- 2021, 1st place: IndX
- 2020, finalist: Science Pop Up Expo
- 2017, 2nd place: Code Summer Camp
- 2015, finalist: CreActive
All finalists in the 2025 edition
- Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), India – Solar Powered Tricycle
- Glasgow City Innovation District, United Kingdom – GCID Venture Studio
- İTÜ ARI Teknokent, Turkey – Innovation on Wheels: İTÜ Çekirdek Automotive Program
- KACST STP, Saudi Arabia – KACST Venture Program (KVP): Implementation of Innovation Hexagon
- Linköping Science Park, Sweden – The City as a Testbed: testing green ideas in Linköping
- Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI), Malaysia – Driving 5G Adoption for Innovation at MRANTI Park
- Melbourne Innovation Districts, Australia – City North Social Innovation Precinct Activation Initiative
- Parque Científico e Tecnológico da Unicamp, Brazil – Unicamp Challenge
- Solution Innovation District, Nigeria – 1 Million Anambra Digital Tribe Initiative
- ZalaZONE Industrial Park, Hungary – ZalaZONE Trainee Program
Watch our pitch video
About the Testbed Vouchers
As part of the Linköping Climate Neutral 2030 project, an company can secure funding for sustainable solutions or products by applying for testbed vouchers, each worth 20,000 SEK.
The initiative aims to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to test their climate and energy sector solutions within the municipality of Linköping. The partners for the program are Linköping municipality, Ebbepark, Lejonfastigheter, Sankt Kors, Stångåstaden, Linköping Science Park. This is a part of Linköping Climate Neutral 2030 (Viable Cities), financed by Vinnova, Energimyndigheten and Formas.
