DigitalWell Arena has added two million kroner to increase the power of innovation in the corona crisis.
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In a difficult situation, we want to support business to be able to develop digital services and products that can contribute to better health, says Magnus Bårdén, CEO of Compare and process manager for DigitalWell Arena.
Shortly after the impact of the corona crisis on society became tangible, DigitalWell Arena's project management decided to make a targeted investment. The two million that are now made available should stimulate the business community to dare to invest in digital innovation - despite difficult economic conditions.
The work that has begun is in line with DigitalWell Arena's regular mission; to support user-driven innovation to create better health through collaboration between business, academia, and the public sector. On the other hand, resources are made available more quickly for scalable, digital services that could relieve the strain on severely tested social systems.
– We place great value on the innovative power of business. We are facing an extremely difficult situation and now if ever new services are needed that can contribute to people feeling better, says Magnus Bårdén.
Existing products can find new uses
The support can be directed towards both new ideas and the development of existing products, which may receive partially new areas of use. The range of possible solutions is wide and can be about anything from services that break the isolation of the elderly to those that are more directly aimed at relieving care.
The response has been great in a short time. In less than a week, around twenty companies and entrepreneurs have contacted us and expressed an interest in working with the development of both their own and others' innovations.
– We have already seen evidence of great initiative in society during the crisis we are in and we are convinced that the digital sector can contribute, says Magnus Bårdén.
The investment in innovation support in the corona crisis is co-financed by DigitalWell Arena and the regional EU project DigitalWell. This means that 50 percent of the funds are directed towards investments in Värmland and Dalarna, while the other half is available nationally and internationally.
