The Connector 2021
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Sveriges Export- & Investeringsråd - Business Sweden |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 100 000 |
| Project duration | December 2020 - August 2022 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
The Connector is a platform for strategic bilateral cooperation on innovation. Objective: increase innovation collaboration between Israel & Sweden through promoting and facilitating joint innovation projects. The platform invites and matches technology intensive and advanced MNEs, SMEs, Start-ups and academic institutions to form joint project consortia. This long-term initiative is the creation of Team Sweden and a result of a pre-study conducted by Business Sweden in 2018, aimed to verify concept and interest. First pilot conference was successfully held in 2020.
Expected long term effects
Goal 1: 1 digital workshop (Health Data & AI), 70-80 participants (about 30% women). 5-6 collaboration ideas, 5-6 follow-ups between IL doctors/SE startups, 1 dialogue between IL venture cap/SE start-up. Goal 2: 5 digital workshops (NCC, E-lux, Scania, Stena, ICA) ~ 30 participants from SE management level. Goal 3: AI & cybersecurity conference, 16-17 November, 117 registered participants, 10 companies presented challenges, 50 start ups & 90s 1: 1 meetings. Goal 4: 3 day program in ISR (2 days field visit, 1 day with matchmaking conference), 15-19 May, 70 participants & 70 1: 1 meetings.
Approach and implementation
The project has been led by a Business Sweden project manager and an active team of 2 other people in close collaboration with the Swedish Innovation Council in Tel Aviv and the embassy in Tel Aviv. The project has been supported by the Try Swedish committee, Israel Export Institute and SNC to ensure results and focus. The results and outcomes of the project have been created through close dialogue with innovation agents and partners during the creation of the collaboration and during the digital and physical conferences held.