Delegation from northern Sweden goes to Austin

The trip is at the invitation of and financed by scholarships from the University of Texas.

Arctic Business has together with LTU Business got the opportunity to cover the costs of the trip through eight scholarships from the Center of European Studies at the University of Texas. On the trip are Svenska Rymdbolaget (SSC), H2 Green Steel, people from Luleå University of Technology and 4 startups from Skellefteå and Luleå.

The startups participating from the Arctic Business incubator program are Aimplan, Remos Space System, Familia, and Skidra. Also on the trip are representatives from Arctic Business and LTU Business.

"Austin's industry and academia with a focus on space and data is very interesting for SSC. We strive to build partnerships with fast-moving and innovative companies, not least with start-ups. At the same time, we look forward to discussing with the northern delegation challenges and ideas on how to attract competence to northern Sweden," says Karin Holmqvist, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at Swedish Space Corporation.

The trip means that participation in SXSW resumes after several years of hiatus. Former mayor of Luleå, Niklas Nordström, together with LTU, was a driving force in developing contacts with Austin. The trips to Austin ceased at the same time as the covid pandemic broke out. In 2021, Luleå municipality discontinued the collaboration with Austin. LTU Business and Arctic Business have kept in touch with their counterparts in Austin.

"Incredibly good that we can again come back to Austin and SXSW. Our relationships and meetings here have over the years given good results both in research collaborations and customers / partners for our startups," says Jens Lundström, CEO of Arctic Business.

Participants from the University of Texas will be invited to Sweden's Innovation Riksdag (Innovation Parliament), which will be held in May in Luleå and Boden.

Lennart Håkansson

editor@northswedenbusiness.com