Twice a year, the eXpress programme is organised for creators in the cultural and creative industries. The programme, run by the business incubator eXpression Umeå, aims to evaluate new business ideas and lay the foundations for the sustainable companies of the future. Tuesday marked the start of this semester's programme and 19 business ideas were accepted into the programme. 

eXpression Umeå runs several programmes with the aim of developing businesses in the cultural and creative industries. eXpress is the first step for many creators who apply to the business incubator to develop their idea and passion into a sustainable business. 

We notice that the number of entrepreneurs in these sectors is high and that the interest in our programmes continues to grow from year to year. In 2019, we have met over 100 new business ideas and for the eXpress programme, which is often the first step to realise these ideas, 40 business ideas have been accepted and tested." - Oskar Riby, business coach for eXpression Umeå and programme manager of the eXpress programme.

Among the accepted business ideas are Joar Mattsson, who designs new creative sustainable Attefall houses, Milad Hossein Beky, Matthew Carlstedt and Anton Ekström, who together form the music collective MÄJEB, and product designer Meimei Montan.

Personally, I think the mix of creators is the best thing about the programme. It creates an incredible dynamic and even though they are in different industries, they have valuable feedback for each other in the start-up phase of the companies," Oskar continues.

The programme runs until 26 November and aims to provide participating creators with valuable tools, models and networks that will lay the foundations for these future sustainable businesses.