Innovation Support System: Methods and Tools for Growth (Sweden)

Vinnova invites applications to enhance Sweden’s national innovation system by supporting projects that develop or implement methods and tools for early-stage, knowledge-driven companies. Funding supports both innovative approaches and proven solutions to improve the effectiveness of innovation support actors.

What is the Vinnova Innovation Support Grant?

This programme aims to strengthen the national innovation system by enabling practical methods, tools, and processes that accelerate the growth of knowledge-based companies. It focuses on both the creation of new approaches and the introduction of proven solutions within innovation support frameworks.
Key Focus Areas Include:

• Development and testing of new methods, tools, and processes for innovation support
• Dissemination and implementation of proven tools and approaches
• Supporting early-stage, knowledge-driven companies to achieve sustainable growth
• Enhancing practical capabilities of incubators, university innovation offices, and holding companies

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants are publicly funded actors engaged in innovation support for knowledge-intensive ideas and early-stage companies. This includes:

• University innovation offices
• Business incubators and accelerators
• Holding companies or innovation hubs with public funding
  Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to implement or disseminate effective tools and methods that benefit early-stage knowledge-driven companies.

How the Fund Works

Funding and Implementation:

• Competitive funding based on available budget for projects introducing or developing new methods and tools
• Pre-studies may receive funding of up to SEK 300,000
  Eligible Activities Include:

1. Designing and testing new innovation support methods or tools
2. Implementing proven tools and practices in new contexts
3. Facilitating knowledge sharing among innovation support actors
4. Enhancing practical support for knowledge-driven, early-stage companies

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting projects that do not involve knowledge-intensive or early-stage companies
• Failing to demonstrate applicability or effectiveness of methods/tools
• Omitting collaboration with relevant innovation support actors
• Proposing solutions without a clear implementation or dissemination plan

How to Apply

1. Identify a method or tool to develop, test, or implement for innovation support
2. Define clear objectives and expected outcomes for early-stage, knowledge-driven companies
3. Include collaboration with relevant publicly funded innovation support actors
4. Prepare a project plan with budget, timeline, and measurable results
5. Submit the application through the Vinnova portal before the deadline

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply? Publicly funded actors supporting early-stage, knowledge-driven companies in Sweden.
2. What funding is available? Competitive funding; pre-studies may receive up to SEK 300,000.
3. Can existing methods be implemented? Yes, both new and proven tools or processes are eligible.
4. Are private companies eligible? No, applicants must be publicly funded innovation support actors.
5. What is the purpose of the grant? To improve innovation support systems and enable sustainable growth of knowledge-based companies.
6. Can multiple actors collaborate on a project? Yes, collaboration among incubators, universities, and other support actors is encouraged.
7. How is success measured? By the practical impact of methods/tools on supporting knowledge-driven companies and their growth.

Conclusion

The Vinnova Innovation Support Grant empowers Swedish innovation support actors to develop and implement effective tools and methods for knowledge-based, early-stage companies. By funding both new approaches and proven solutions, the programme strengthens the national innovation system and promotes sustainable business growth.