This week was the kickoff for several new initiatives linked to Demand Acceleration. It is both about spreading knowledge about the methodology and trying it out in completely new areas.
An important partner in the work to spread and develop the methodology is Ignite Sweden, which contributes experiences and tools for matching between the public sector and startups. The aim is to pave the way for more innovative products and services to be developed and spread on the public market.
In addition, the municipality of Karlstad, the only public actor that has so far used the Demand Acceleration methodology, is preparing a second procurement. This time it's about trying to create a digital tool that better adapts the city's offerings to accessibility.
To be tested to create climate-smart innovations
A completely new partner in this context is WWF, which will contribute with its expertise in climate innovation. The aim is to explore whether the Demand Acceleration method can also drive demand for innovation of climate-smart solutions and reduce the public sector's climate footprint.
Lina Svensberg together with some important partners for future ventures. From left: Thomas Wernerheim, Karlstad municipality, Linus Arnold, Ignite Sweden, and Örjan Jansson, WWF.
What began as a pilot effort in a new and unproven methodology to unite public procurement and innovation has now gained momentum. The various and complementary projects now enable continued work to make public affairs more innovation-driven.
- It feels incredibly inspiring to have the opportunity to further develop the methodology together with the country's leading organizations in each field, in order to take the work to the next level. It's about developing forms for public business to become more innovation-driven, something that is necessary if we are to be able to solve the societal challenges we face, says Lina Svensberg, Innovation Manager at Compare.
Analyzes formed in collaboration with Vinnova
In addition to gathering the operational teams, the kickoff was also attended by Kjell-Håkan Närfelt, Chief Strategy Officer at Vinnova, who together with Lina Svensberg developed the analysis behind Demand Acceleration.
SEK 800 billion is invested annually in public procurement. There is an enormous national driving force here to demand innovative products and services that can solve our common societal challenges.
Kjell-Håkan Närfelt, Chief Strategy Officer at Vinnova, attended the kickoff and shared many of the analyzes that paved the way for the Demand Acceleration methodology.
