Global impact within walking distance
Sweden is ranked as one of Europe's most innovative countries, with the region of Skåne being one of the top innovation leaders in Europe. Over the past 40 years, Lund has developed a unique innovation culture and support system.
We are developing the Lund Innovation District together
In our work with the innovation district, we want to position Lund's strong ecosystem and thus establish Lund as preferred choice for international collaborations and partnerships.
We create this through connecting environments and actors to build synergies and support complex transformation and multidisciplinary needs.
Innovation districts are dense hubs of economic activity where innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and placemaking intersect.
— The Global District of Innovation Districts
We believe in innovating together
In Lund, we are many individuals and actors (in academia, business, organizations, companies and municipalities) in various industries that together contribute to Lund's strong ecosystem for innovation and development.
People involved in research and innovation.
Researcher at Lund University.
Countries represented.
Businesses.
Companies with international owners.
Start-ups during 2023.
Collaboration without frontiers
A well-functioning innovation district is a cornerstone for Lund as an internationally recognized innovation hub. It is a place of unique development, where international actors and individuals can thrive. It serves as a platform for new connections between ideas and people.
An innovation district collects and packages information, infrastructure, areas and actors, and offers support without exerting control.
What is an Innovation District?
Innovation district (ID) is an internationally recognized concept. Many districts work together in international networks.
An ID is a compact area consisting of facilities for research, knowledge actors, test beds and innovation infrastructure with high accessibility andproximity to the city as a development arena.
When creating an ID, it is based on a hyperlocal geographical area where academic and medical institutions, corporate R&D centers, startups, entrepreneurial support organisations, and communities are actively combined.
Dynamic Ecosystems for the Future
The goal is to promote accessibility, creativity, collaboration and innovation, with the aim of creating ecosystems with a high concentration of innovation capacity and capabilities. This results in an exciting, enriching, safe and inclusive place – a great place to live and work.
In a well-functioning ID, different actors work together to create economic development, sustainable housing, jobs and strengthen the attractiveness of the place.
work with the innovation district
Lund already has many of the components and functions needed to establish an innovation district. The challenge lies in getting these parts to work even better together – to bring together hardware (laboratories, buildings, etc.) with software (people, capital, ideas, etc.) and to position Lund's ecosystem as a cohesive entity with strong synergies and exciting connections.
As part of creating international connectivity, Lund Innovation District, through Future by Lund, is part of GIID, The Global Institute on Innovation Districts. This gives Lund opportunities for collaboration with other innovation districts, access to internationally developed knowledge and data, shared resources for reports and international visibility. Contact has already been established with many innovation districts in the world.
The district provides joint strength
Innovation district packaging facilitates establishments, development, investments and new collaborations for both the area and the participating actors.
Lund as an innovation district is important for several organisations – Lund University, Lund Municipality, large companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the startup scene in order for us to be able to use and showcase our common strength.
A strong hub is also crucial for individuals living and working in Lund, as well as for attracting new talent for future businesses in Lund.
Ecosystem
Explore Lund's innovation ecosystem.
Science parks
The district houses three research parks with specific profiles that create a dynamic environment for innovation and corporate development.
Big Science Infrastructure
Two major research facilities (ESS and MAX IV) form an extensive scientific infrastructure area, complemented by a new campus, residential and work areas, industrial development facilities, and creative spaces for innovation.
Corporate R&D
Pioneering innovations are at the heart of the many large companies that have emerged in Lund or established themselves here. The innovation climate and the density of research and development environments are part of Lund's appeal.
Innovation Facilitator
A number of organisations act as enablers, catalysts and agents of change in Lund's innovation landscape.
Incubator
Lund's incubators support startups and entrepreneurs in the development of their businesses by offering a range of services. Each incubator has its own profile.
Lab & Infrastructure
Lund's incubators support startups and entrepreneurs in the development of their businesses by offering a range of services. Each incubator has its own profile.
Lund University
Lund University was founded in 1666 and is one of the world's top universities. The University has approximately 46,000 students and 8,600 staff. The unique disciplinary range encourages boundary-crossing collaborations both within academia and with society at large, creating excellent conditions for scientific breakthroughs and innovations. The University has a strong international profile, with partner universities in 76 countries.
Lund University offers education and research in the following areas:
Read our magazines!
You can read more about Lund Innovation District in our magazines. Through the articles you can explore the importance of the area, the impact and the many innovations that have been born in the city, but also about the innovation ecosystem.
Steering Group
For the development of the Lund Innovation District, a steering group has been formed consisting of Anders Almgren, Chairman of the Municipal Board and Councillor of Lund Municipality; Kristina Eneroth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Lund University; and Pia Kinhult, Head of Host Country Relations at ESS. The assignment to lead the co-creation of the Lund Innovation District has been awarded to Future by Lund.
Anders Almgren
Mayor and Chairman of the City Executive Committee in Lund Municipality
Kristina Eneroth
Pro Vice-Chancellor at Lund University
Pia Kinhult
Head of Host States Relations, ESS
Coordinator of Lund Innovation District
You can always contact us if you have any questions or want to get involved in Lund Innovation district.
Charlotte Lorentz Hjorth
Lund University Collaboration office, CEO Future by Lund
charlotte.lorentz_hjorth@fsi.lu.se
Peter Kisch
COO Future by Lund, senior project manager
peter.kisch@futurebylund.se