eXpression Umeå is now making a major investment in the establishment of creative industries on the international market. The incubator, together with heavy expertise, is building up resources for financing, international business development, access to industry-specific networks and collaborations, support in the form of intellectual property, trademark protection, patents and IPR in an international brand building. 

Exports are an important part of industrial policy, with a major impact on job growth in Sweden. Sweden's export strategy indicates that the creative industries should increase their internationalisation and that Sweden should promote culture-driven exports. Creative businesses are driving the development of digital services where filmmakers, musicians, designers, media producers, writers and artists are global from day one through their digital platforms. This may also explain why creative businesses in Sweden record almost twice as many exports as the national average. 

The European Commission highlights the profound importance of creative entrepreneurs in driving digital innovation, pointing out how digital cultural products have become by far the largest source of revenue in the global economy (source cultural times).

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODELS 

One reason for the market growth and speed to the global market is that business models are largely based on collaborations between independent companies. Business models are built through digital platforms, and close collaboration in core activities such as production, distribution, marketing and export. Cutting-edge business models that many other industries can learn from. 

SNEAKER DESIGN IN EUROPE AND THE SEOUL SKATE SCENE

eXpression caught up with designer Marian Dembiciewics and Random Bastards co-founder Erik Hörstedt to hear their thoughts on collaboration and the world as a place to work.