INVESTINGSWEDEN IN THE FUTURE.

ec.europa.eu/invest-eu | #investEU OPPORTUNITIES START HERE. #investEU To revive investments and growth, the supports people, ideas and visions across

EXPLORE THE The European Union is all about opportunities Sweden has the third largest number of cyclists and research facilities, energy efficient buildings that deliver real benefits and make a difference at in Europe, but too few cyclists wear a helmet. or smart mobility solutions, which, in turn, lead STORIES BEHIND a local level. The promotion of growth, To change their behavior, Hövding was created to a more sustainable future for Europe’s cities employment and well-being across Europe is one with the aim to develop a new type of bicycle and regions. EU INVESTMENT of its main priorities. By investing in people’s ideas helmet which is placed in a discreet collar around Whether it’s helping to build the most and visions, the EU is removing obstacles and the neck. The collar contains a folded airbag modern synchrotron radiation facility in the creating favourable conditions for development that on impact expands and protects the biker’s world attracting thousands of international and modernisation across the continent. In support head. The helmet - also named Hövding - is researchers, providing funds to build a wind of the pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit of a result of several years of extensive research farm, or making it possible to build the first Europeans, the EU opens doors and empowers partly funded by the EU. The company has sold electric highway in the world, EU funding gives people to pursue their own innovative projects. over 62 000 airbag helmets in 16 European a boost to projects that make a difference at countries and protected over 1300 people Europeans have already come up with original the local level. involved in bicycle accidents. The EU is funding ideas for better education, modernised Hövding’s efforts to develop even better and Only some of these stories feature in this healthcare and greener transport infrastructure, smarter user functions for the airbag helmet. brochure. But look around in your community E16 ELECTRIC ROAD to cite but a few examples, and the EU has and you will see that behind European provided the means to get tailored projects off EU funding not only offers people financial investments there is a wealth of people’s stories the ground. Where valuable projects struggle support for their projects. Project beneficiaries to discover. LÅNGMARKEN to win investment due to the reluctance of can also access hands-on coaching and expertise VINDKRAFTPARK SecureMailbox investors to take risks, the EU steps in by to ensure their projects provide real added value BRIDGE backing loans or providing funding for projects for the people and communities around them. that have the potential to succeed. Results are visible thanks to knowledge-sharing ONE STOP FUTURE SHOP

HANDISCOVER HÖVDING

ESS & MAX IV 2 ec.europa.eu/invest-eu | #investEU OPPORTUNITIES START HERE. #investEU LÅNGMARKEN VINDKRAFTPARK VÄRMLAND

The farm began operations in 2017 and the “We are delighted to be able to help Mirova Långmarken 80 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity and the EIB make a long-term investment in it generates per year meet the domestic needs of the Swedish wind power market. This is an wind farm: around 40,000 people in Kristinehamn. important commitment to renewable energy and . We are looking The Långmarken wind farm is the first project in forward to further cooperation with Mirova and a new source Sweden financed by the EIB under the European the EIB,” he remarked during the event. Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), part of the of renewable ’s Investment Plan Also at the opening ceremony, Johan Larsson, for Europe. It is also the first time the Bank has CEO of Kristinehamns Energi AB, was similarly energy co-financed a renewable energy project through enthusiastic about the investment. the EFSI. In total, the EIB funding amounts to “It’s a great pleasure to be involved in such a €16 million (164 million Swedish kronor). The Långmarken wind farm was built by Eolus © Daniel Larsson large project in the field of renewable electricity Vind on behalf of the , Raphael Lance, head of renewable energy production. The investment will result in many investment company Mirova and other partners. job opportunities in Kristinehamn, and for Located just north of Kristinehamn, in Värmland, funds at Mirova, is proud of the project. Just north of Kristinehamn, Sweden, the park was us, the project means that we connect each Sweden, the Långmarken wind farm has eight officially inaugurated in June 2017. It houses eight “Långmarken is a perfect example of how individual wind turbine to our electricity wind turbines with a power output of turbines and is expected to supply Kristinehamn the energy transition needs to be implemented network,” he said. with electricity for many years to come. Financed 3.3 megawatts each. It was built by Eolus, one at the European level. It can only be achieved if with support from the European Fund for of the leading wind power developers in the the various parties involved are united in Strategic Investments, the project has increased Nordic countries. a common goal to support high-quality projects job opportunities in the region and helps drive Six of the turbines were purchased by the and if the political conditions are favourable. down carbon dioxide emissions. European Investment Bank (EIB) and Mirova- That’s why we are proud of our partnership Eurofideme 3, a renewable energy fund with a respected project developer as Eolus managed by investment firm Mirova. They and co-investor, the EIB; a partnership which jointly hold 90 % of the shares in the wind farm, has enabled us to build the first wind farm in while Eolus holds the remaining 10 %. Sweden funded via the EFSI,” he comments. EU investment made it possible to accelerate Eolus CEO Per Witalisson participated in the

© Daniel Larsson construction of Långmarken, which is managed official opening ceremony of the wind farm in 5 and operated by Eolus on behalf of the owners. June 2017. HÖVDING MALMÖ

granted through Horizon 2020, which is the that it comes from Horizon 2020 is further Airbag cycle EU’s framework programme for research and confirmation that Hövding is relevant and has innovation. a role to play in further improving safety for cyclists in the event of accidents.” helmet concept Carrying the same name as its flagship product, the company which makes Hövding is one of takes off Sweden’s rising stars in the area of innovative technology and its airbag helmet has become Sweden is one of the European countries with a highly sought-after item for the urban cyclist. the largest number of cyclists, but too few of them Over 62,000 helmets have been sold since the use helmets. The Hövding bicycle helmet, product was released, with Hövding currently an entirely new type of airbag helmet, was on the market in 16 European countries plus conceived in order to change this. It is the result of Japan, a fact in which the company’s CEO several years of research that was partly funded Fredrik Carling takes great pride. by the EU’s the Horizon 2020 programme. The airbag is activated by a fall or crash within Sweden has the third largest number of cyclists 0.1 seconds, and the helmet has three times in Europe, but only 30 % of them use helmets. better shock absorption than an ordinary This was the inspiration behind Hövding, an bicycle helmet. Studies have also shown that entirely new type of bicycle helmet designed Hövding provides up to eight times more as a collar worn around the neck. The collar protection than traditional helmets. In addition, there are more than 1,300 documented cases contains an airbag which is triggered in the event in which it has prevented injuries to cyclists of a collision or crash and protects the cyclist’s head. involved in accidents. Hövding is the result of several years of “We see really great potential in further extensive research, and EU funding has been developing and refining our concept, by essential for its development. The EU’s financial improving user functionality and optimising contribution is allowing the team to add better the production process,” notes Carling. “One of and smarter user features to the helmet, with Horizon 2020’s purposes is to support world- the company receiving approximately class European innovation, which is what we €1.3 million (13 million Swedish kronor) paid have already done and will continue to do. 7 in instalments over two years. The support is The amount of financial support and the fact ESS & MAX IV: CROSS- SCIENCE AND SOCIETY LUND

The technology required to generate light of BrightnESS project through the Horizon 2020 Unique research such intensity has been designed in an entirely research and innovation programme. Involving new way, putting MAX IV among the world’s 18 institutions and universities from facilities coming leading facilities using this kind of radiation. 11 European countries, this three-year initiative was launched in 2015 to enable ESS to deliver “MAX IV is the result of decades of research and high-impact scientific knowledge. to Lund, Sweden innovative ideas, and it is incredibly rewarding that we have now come so far that we can “The EU’s political and financial support for When completed, Lund’s European Spallation inaugurate the facilities. The funders have put ESS, for instance in the BrightnESS project, Source and MAX IV facilities will be the largest a great deal of trust in the management and is significant for facility’s development and scientific institutes in Sweden. They will be able there are great hopes from both the research establishment as one of the largest research to conduct new and world-leading research also community and industry that we will deliver infrastructure projects currently under thanks to the financial support from the European results that the world has not seen before,” said construction in Europe,” remarks ESS Director Regional Development Fund. MAX IV director Christoph Quitmann at the © Malin Lauterbach General John Womersley. laboratory’s opening ceremony. EU structural funds have also supported several Two world-class research centres are under To date, total investment in MAX IV amounts other ESS-related initiatives. Coordinated development in Lund, Sweden: the European to approximately €450 million (4.5 billion Swedish by Region Skåne and the Capital Region of Spallation Source (ESS) facility and the MAX IV kronor) and covers buildings, accelerators Denmark, the Danish-Swedish-Norwegian ESS Laboratory. The EU is helping to finance their and 16 beamlines. A beamline is the technical & MAX IV: Cross Border Science and Society construction and research activities. equipment that leads the X-ray beam to the project was granted €9.5 million through material being analysed. Once the facilities are ready for use, they will the European Regional Development Fund form a major research cluster with optimal ESS is home to the world’s most powerful neutron (ERDF), out of total revenues of €19 million. conditions for material research at particle source, which is expected to become operational It is the largest project implemented within level, opening the door to advances in in 2019, and the facility should start taking in the framework of the ERDF-funded disciplines such as life sciences, materials researchers in 2023. The construction budget Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak cross-border science, archaeology and magnetism. stands at over €1.8 billion and 15 member and cooperation programme. observer countries participate in the activities. The X-ray from the MAX IV synchrotron radiation facility makes it possible to get a very The EU is involved in ESS in several different

© Malin Lauterbach clear view of material at the atomic level and ways. For instance, it has contributed €20 million 9 see details which otherwise remain invisible. (around 205 million Swedish kronor) to the HANDISCOVER BÅSTAD

in France but now lives with his family in 2 million Swedish kronor). Sebastien emphasises New travel Båstad, Sweden. how important it has been for the company. possibilities for He concluded that people with physical “It was absolutely crucial to us. We are in the disabilities have to face many challenges process of establishing ourselves and we rely while travelling, and wanted to do something on financing in order to grow and develop people with the technical platform,” he says. about it. “Wanting to reduce these logistical mobility barriers motivated me to create Handiscover. At present, the UK is the main market It should be added that as many as 10 % of the for Handiscover with approximately 3,000 problems population suffer from some form of physical accommodation options. impairment,” Sebastien observes. “The UK is our major test market, and so far, Swedish company Handiscover has launched Handiscover.com is the first holiday booking we are only investing in marketing there and a booking service to enable people with reduced website dedicated to people with physical in Sweden,” Sebastien reports.

mobility to find holiday accommodation that © Sebastien Archambeaud disabilities. The main feature is a classification is adapted to their needs. Thanks to EU financial Nevertheless, the service is expanding and system which allows users to choose accommodation can currently be booked via support via the European Fund for Strategic Entrepreneur Sebastien Archambeaud got accommodation based on their level of the system in over 60 countries worldwide, Investments, the firm has improved its reservation the idea for the Handiscover service when he impairment, with options divided into three more than 20 of which are in Europe. system and developed a marketing strategy. and his family wanted to travel. Because his categories for different types of disability. son has a muscle disease which makes it hard “Our immediate goal is to be the natural for him to walk, he needs a wheelchair. The “The industry has a problem with this issue booking website for people with physical family had difficulties finding places to stay, because there is no international standard disabilities. But our long-term objective is for us to go global,” concludes Sebastien. particularly as it was often uncertain how well or certification for accessibility-adapted adapted accommodation was for people with accommodation. We want to create clarity through physical disabilities. our booking service so that our customers can easily identify the type of accommodation that “Our experience was that it was difficult to find best suits them,” explains Sebastien. accommodation that suited us. And we did not want this to stop us from going out and seeing Handiscover has received EU support from the the world. At the same time, we understood that European Fund for Strategic Investments in the we could not be the only ones who experienced form of a loan via Swedish government-owned 11

© Sebastien Archambeaud this problem,” says Sebastien, who was born investor Almi, which amounts to €200,000 (about BRIDGE WEST SWEDEN SecureMailbox STOCKHOLM Support for medical technology firms’ Data protection platform international growth ambitions receives EU support From 2015 to 2017, 27 medical technology Firstly, the UK is a large enough country for New EU data protection rules come into force in back in 2010. We started developing the start-ups in western Sweden received EU support small businesses to achieve profitable sales May 2018. Swedish company Secure Appbox were platform in 2012 based on the directives that via the European Regional Development Fund. there, while from a British perspective, the quick to develop the new tools required to ensure existed at that time and which were a template The objective was to help them with their initiative provides access to innovations that compliance thanks to financial support from the EU. for the new Regulation. We then launched can improve healthcare and reduce costs within the service in 2013,” he says. international growth strategies. In force from May 2018, the EU’s General Data the UK’s National Health Service. Conceived by the Sahlgrenska Science Park, Protection Regulation (GDPR) strengthens The platform enables small and medium-sized There are also practical advantages on both protections for people submitting personal data. organisations to use one simple process to the Bridge programme has provided support sides. Most Swedes speak English and there Companies and public authorities that receive authenticate and protect the digital communications to 27 medical technology start-ups in western are relatively good transport connections and such information will have to meet new data of employees, customers and partners, as well Sweden to develop their international growth short distances between the two countries, processing, storage and security requirements. as handling personal data using secure e-services strategies. These companies, carefully chosen plus they have similar cultures. Moreover, the and apps, and managing consent from data Prior to the application of the new rules, personal by an expert panel, have been supported with UK is a leading market – among the ten largest subjects. This creates a basis for compliance data is ‘owned’ by the organisation that receives nearly €400,000 (around 4 million Swedish in the world – in the fields of pharmaceuticals with the regulation. it. GDPR changes this. Under the new system, kronor) from the EU’s European Regional and medical technology. In addition, it invests individuals have full rights over their data and Secure Appbox received €300,000 (3 million Development Fund for the period 2015-2017. heavily in life-science development and can reclaim it at any time. Information can Swedish kronor) in May 2015 from the EU’s The wider purpose of the project is to strengthen welcomes foreign healthcare innovations. only be retained for a certain period, and public InnovFin innovation financing instrument and small and medium-sized Swedish healthcare “The goal is to develop a programme that authorities and companies will have to provide a further 3 million kronor the following year. enterprises and increase innovation in medical is so attractive that companies will pay the evidence that their systems are compliant technology. The company is now a European leader in its costs themselves. It appears to be a very cost- © Shutterstock with the rules. field and the platform was the first cloud service effective method for improving smart and For Sahlgrenska Science Park, successfully Swedish entrepreneur Anders Jonsson of Secure to receive GDPR specialist Privasee’s SEAL sustainable growth in the Swedish medical establishing a foothold in a leading international Appbox quickly realised that new tools would distinction for complying with the new EU data technology industry,” comments Helena Starfelt market is crucial if a business is to become profitable be necessary to meet the requirements, and protection laws. It helps hundreds of Tillväxtverket, the Swedish Agency for quickly. That’s how the Bridge programme can began work on the GDPR Organiser platform. of organisations in more than 160 countries Economic and Regional Growth. help. The programme has decided to focus on “We realised early on that major reforms were to communicate securely, regardless of time 13

© European Commission © European the UK as a target market for several reasons. needed, and started thinking about the product and location. © Jan Nylander E16 ELECTRIC ROAD E16 ELECTRIC and development agency and development agency Vinnova, and Scania Swedish Energy Agency, government research The Swedish Transport Administration, the industry, academia andthepublicauthorities. constitutesthe project acollaboration between One oftwo test routes ofsystem, for thiskind that coordinated thework. from Gävleborg regional authority, thebody explains managerMagnus Ernström project as isusedin120-year-old tram technology,” lane. linesabove contact theinside electrical support at which inonedirection 60-metre intervals ofroadThe isequippedwithpoles section the Sandviken Västra towards junction Gävle. nearKungsgården junction and the Hillsta The stretch ofroad runsalongtheE16between June 2016. roadfuel-free was outsideGävlein electric Swedentransport, openedtheworld’s first fossil alternativesPioneering to climate-friendly road FundDevelopment make helped theproject possible. Sweden. stretchon a2kilometres oftheE16,nearGävle, vehicles goods wasroad forheavy inaugurated In June2016,theworld’s firstfossilfuel-free electric fuel-free electric roadfuel-free electric Sweden ishometo theworld’s first fossil “Basically, it’s thesameinfrastructure exactly EU support from theEuropean Regional EU support

a distance ofmore than 100kilometres. ofGävleandBorlänge, the E16between theport The intention theentire of isto section electrify ontheclimate.minimal impact subsequently beableto usetheroute with Customised goodsvehicles heavy will well asbeingenvironmentally friendly. need any dieselto run,sotheyare quieter as withtheoverheadcontact wires. They don’t on theroof power whichcollect through regular vehicles inthat theyhave pantographs one week eachmonth. The trucksdiffer from period, theroute was usedby hybrid trucksfor theJune 2016-December 2017testDuring representing theGävleborg Region. such afantastic result,” says HelenaFahlstedt had 1,500visitors pleasedabout andare very hasbeenalot ofinterest.“There We have atof avisitor Sandviken. facility Regional Development Fund for thecreation (5 millionSwedish from kronor) theEU’s European The hasalsoreceived project around €500,000 Siemens are themainpartners. GÄVLEBORG REGION

© Alireza Badiee, One Stop Future Shop ONE STOP FUTURE SHOP STOPONE FUTURE gives start-ups achancegives start-ups StopOne Future Shop One event was arranged underthe project an companies were by beneficiaries. started months of2016alone, more than50new SpanishandSwedish.Somali, thefirstsix In offeredwith services in Arabic, English, Persian, the centre, theycanconsult business advisors, their ideasinto reality, explain theorganisers. At were help withturning alotofvisitors seeking FromBiskopsgården district. theoutset, there centre at Vårväderstorget inGothenburg’s and five months later openedabusiness 2016 The was project launched on 1January entrepreneurs. also putsonworkshops for andlectures and socialentrepreneurship, theproject region.Götaland With afocus onsustainability inSweden’s to start-ups consultancy Västra One Stop Future Shopoffers free business six months. establishment ofover 50newcompanies initsfirst launchtheproject,has helped whichhasseenthe from theEuropean Fund RegionalDevelopment to develop theirconcepts andideas. EUfunding Stop Futurethe One Shopproject helpsstart-ups Based inGothenburg’s Biskopsgården district, GOTHENBORG, HISINGEN One Stop Future Shopcommunications team. atthe project all,” says JennieOlssonfrom the that we canrun isonlythanksto thissupport It Swedish kronor). iscrucialto us. EUsupport “The the EUcontributes around €500,000 (7milliom million (17.7Swedish ofwhich kronor), in western Sweden. The total budgetis€1.78 EU’s European Regional Development Fund by the one ofthelargest supported projects Running until 2019,OneStop Future Shopis for women’s entrepreneurship. One StopSoufi, Future manager Shopproject food from theirhomeland,” explains Jasmine they have incommon isthat theycook genuine their food through theirown networks. What are passionate about, ormay already beselling entrepreneurs may have afood they product test theirideasinreality. ofthefood Some inventions to are given theopportunity about food andwant to develop theirculinary “At peoplewhoare theÖ-party, passionate showcase dishesfrom ninedifferent countries. entrepreneurs inthefood thechance to sector inSeptember 2017,itgaveRingön prospective ‘Ö-party’. of HeldintheGothenburg district

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978-92-79-72545-6 978-92-79-72546-3

PDF ISBN Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2018 Office European of the Publications Luxembourg: Union, 2018 © European is acknowledged. the source Reuse is authorised provided 39). L 330, 14.12.2011, p. Decision 2011/833/EU (OJ by is regulated documents policy Commission reuse The of European holders. the copyright permission directly from must be sought is not under the EU copyright, that or other material of photos use or reproduction any For ISBN Print Printed by the Publications Office in Luxembourg Find a Europe Direct centre near you for information: for near you Direct centre a Europe Find europa.eu/european-union/contact_en Tel. +46 08 562 444 11 Tel. Email: [email protected] Internet: ec.europa.eu/sweden Representation of the European Commission in Sweden: in Sweden: Commission the European of Representation Regeringsgatan 65 7323 Box 103 90 Stockholm SWEDEN General information about the Investment Plan for Europe: Europe: Plan for about Investment the information General ec.europa.eu/invest-eu WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION: MORE FIND TO WHERE