The Bothnia Green Energy project brought together property owners, universities, and energy companies to meet SMEs and startups with innovative solutions related to the construction and real estate sector and energy. The matchmaking event clearly showed that there is a strong will and potential for innovation within the construction and real estate sector.
“We have had very good meetings, all of which have resulted in follow-up meetings. The uncertain energy market has sparked the energy debate in a different way, many are interested in innovations, and our product has quite good prospects,” says Anders Mikaelsson, Ecoclime.
The Road to Matchmaking
Bothnia Green Energy is a cross-border project aimed at promoting innovative energy solutions in the Kvarken region. The project works in several areas, including direct current networks, waste heat, talent attraction, and construction and real estate, where matchmaking has been part of the work. It has been a long process to create matchmaking to meet the needs of the region’s property owners. It started with workshops to narrow down the needs, followed by interviews with property owners, and a collaboration with Ignite Sweden, Enterprise Europe Network, VTT, and Business Finland to find the SMEs and startups that could have the solutions to the needs.
“It has not been easy to gather the stakeholders, even though both the interest and motivation to work with energy issues have been present in everyone. Therefore, it was especially gratifying when we finally managed to carry out a successful matchmaking with several stakeholders from both Sweden and Finland and let them be inspired by a variety of innovative solutions available on the market,” says Jenny Åkermark, Business Developer at Umeå municipality and one of the organizers.
By bringing together SMEs with stakeholders, we hope to see many exciting collaborations and solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future.
Bothnia Green Energy is funded by the EU programme Interreg Aurora, Jakobstad Region Development Company Concordia, Herrfors, Kokkolan Energia, City of Kokkola, Kvarken Council EGTC, Regional Council of Lapland, Technology Centre Merinova, Region Västerbotten, Region Västernorrland, Skellefteå Municipality, Skellefteå Kraft, Umeå Energi, Umeå Municipality, Vaasan Sähkö, City of Vaasa, Vaasa Region Development Company VASEK, Örnsköldsvik Municipality, Övik Energi.
Read more about the Bothnia Green Energy project HERE.
