Drive societal development and create growth

Krinova’s role as innovation arena and science park is to be a catalyst. Krinova is one of the few innovation environments that works exclusively with open and challenge-driven innovation. Research shows that it takes co-creation to drive innovation, and that co-creation is an important starting point for work within the Innovation Arena. For this reason, the Innovation Arena is staffed with business designers who work proactively and also act as a neutral sounding board for the entrepreneur.

At the Innovation Arena, the collaboration between academia, the business sector and the public sector is initiated, set up and supported, enabling new business concepts or innovations. The Innovation Arena’s influx of IBOs (Innovation Business Objects) has been very large. Since its inception in 2013 until 2020, nearly 600 companies have received support.

The large influx of IBOs means that Krinova is building a community of what we call “engine entrepreneurs” with a large wealth of knowledge in their companies. A community of companies where no one leaves the Innovation Arena and where everyone gets support. This innovation philosophy contributes to the generation of a large influx, which is needed to achieve development and dissemination of knowledge in the region, which is the very mission of Krinova.

Open innovation means that companies and organisations systematically look for, and in different ways invite, external expertise and ideas for joint development projects. Open innovation stimulates diversity of perspective, expertise, background and experience to take the innovation work to the highest possible heights.

Challenge-driven innovation involves identifying societal challenges or challenges within organisations or the business sector that are potential growth opportunities and new business opportunities. It aims to promote and stimulate collaboration and interaction between different actors, which is needed to successfully create benefit.

Innovation Award of the Year

The Innovation Award was instituted by Krinova Incubator & Science Park to reward innovative entrepreneurship and ideas that show how new opportunities and creative solutions can be put into practice.

The award focuses on ideas with a high level of innovation, commercial potential and sustainable entrepreneurship. The award is given to one company in each of the six municipalities of Skåne Nordost.

The award winner in the respective municipality is nominated to the Innovation Award of the Year in Skåne Nordost, a distinction awarded by Krinova Incubator & Science Park and Skåne Nordost. The winner of the Innovation Award of the Year also receives SEK 25,000. The prize money is provided by Skåne Nordost.

Krinova AB’s ownership breaks down as follows: 40% by Kristianstad Municipality, 40% by the municipality’s subsidiary Kristianstads Industribyggnads AB, and 20% by Högskolan Kristianstad Holding AB.