Materials Business Center
About this good practice
The practice was triggered by the decision to construct two new world class research infrastructures in the materials domain in Skåne – ESS and MAX IV. The founders realised that the local community of innovative companies needed a service that would allow them to take full advantage of the cutting-edge research carried out in the region.
By creating the right conditions for new business in the form of entrepreneurial companies, Materials Business Center mediates solutions to established industry and addresses the global challenges facing us all within energy, environment, food security and health, where new materials is a key part of the solution.
Materials Business Center triggers growth through stimulation of new businesses as well as innovations in existing companies through the matching of industrial challenges and needs with entrepreneurial drive and creativity.
The Center is a platform providing cross connections between entrepreneurs, industry and researchers. They are creating an environment where innovations can be initiated, the business potential within the materials area can be reached, and new companies and employment opportunities can be created. The target groups are innovative SMEs producing or using new materials and large companies and academic researchers who want to come into contact with the SMEs.
Resources needed
Total funding is SEK 11 620 000 (≈1,2 m EUR), 50% from ERDF. The number of FTE is currently 2.5.
Evidence of success
Materials Business Center can be considered a good practice as they have succeeded in taking industry needs and global challenges as the starting point feeding these into start-ups and academia.
Materials Business Center has a non-formalized network of:
• 40 Industry companies
• 25 Startups
• 15 universities and institutes
In the first two years the Center has organized workshops on materials-related topics with approx. 650 participants.
Potential for learning or transfer
The key success factor is close cooperation with three components that are key for the commercialization of research – research competence, industry needs and entrepreneurial drive. This can be achieved through moderated match-making so that the right solutions address existing needs.