A new MOU between Oslo Science City and its sibling innovation districts in Stockholm and Copenhagen lays the groundwork for creating a Scandinavian powerhouse for innovation.
International collaboration and networking across borders are crucial factors in determining how successful an innovation district is at fostering groundbreaking research, innovation, and economic development. Oslo Science City recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the leading innovation districts in each of the other two Scandinavian capitals: Stockholm Science City and Copenhagen Science City.
"I'm delighted that we have formalized this collaboration, which can serve as a springboard for researchers and businesses in Scandinavia seeking new networks and partners," says Christine Wergeland Sørbye, CEO of Oslo Science City.
Unified Scandinavian Strength
Together, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have over 20 million inhabitants, several top-notch universities and research institutes, leading knowledge-based companies, vibrant startup environments, and a substantial group of investors focusing on knowledge-based innovation. The three Scandinavian countries also share a long tradition of friendship and cooperation, along with similar social systems.
The goal of the MOU is to capitalize on the potential for Scandinavian collaboration in innovation and knowledge-based value creation. Wergeland Sørbye emphasizes several key areas where Scandinavian collaboration can make each player stronger:
"Together, we have, among other things, a significant population, a high-quality healthcare system, and extensive health registries," she points out.
32 Years of History in Stockholm
Stockholm Science City is the oldest of the three innovation districts, founded in 1990. Their ambition is to strengthen the competitiveness of the Stockholm region in life sciences, with funding from the research institutions Karolinska Institutet, Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan, and Stockholm University, in addition to the city of Stockholm and Region Stockholm.
CEO Ylva Williams of Stockholm Science City sees several advantages to closer collaboration between the three innovation districts:
"Together, we have greater competitiveness since we represent a larger critical mass. In the international market, we can also have a greater impact since we represent a larger geographic area," she emphasizes.
Williams highlights their organization's long-standing tenure as one of the advantages they bring to the collaboration.
"Our foundation is 32 years old, and naturally, we have gained unique experiences over the years that we are happy to share," she says.
Exchange of Experiences and Ideas
Copenhagen Science City is centered around the University of Copenhagen, University College Copenhagen, and Rigshospitalet, with businesses, research parks, and public entities in the Copenhagen area as partners. The innovation district is located in the heart of Copenhagen, with a focus on health, medicine, and natural sciences.
Kristoffer Klebak, the director of Copenhagen Science City, sees several benefits in forging closer ties across the Scandinavian countries:
"Closer collaboration provides excellent opportunities for exchanging experiences and ideas, allowing us to learn from each other and advance the development of our respective innovation districts. Additionally, there's the opportunity to create a collective narrative about the significance of the Scandinavian innovation districts," he points out.
Prioritizing International Collaboration
International collaboration is highly prioritized in Oslo Science City, emphasizes CEO Christine Wergeland Sørbye. In 2022, Oslo Science City was one of the first innovation districts invited to join The Global Network of Innovation Districts, a network comprising 23 innovation districts from Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia.
"These international contacts serve as both a valuable network for our members and partners and a source of knowledge and inspiration in further developing Oslo Science City," she underscores.
Wergeland Sørbye highlights that Oslo Science City has four gravitational fields of excellence with internationally leading knowledge environments:
"Many of the significant societal challenges we face in Scandinavia and the rest of the world lie at the intersection of these fields. Bringing together leading research environments in all these areas within Oslo Science City is a tremendous asset for Norwegian and Scandinavian innovation efforts," says Christine Wergeland Sørbye.