It is now clear which 16 companies will take part in the new round of the eXpression Future Retail Lab accelerator programme. The programme is aimed at new entrepreneurs and owner-managed companies in the retail sector, as well as companies at the interface between the retail, hospitality and experience sectors. The aim is to create the conditions to develop new business models and forms of collaboration and to increase knowledge and growth.
The companies that have been admitted to the programme are a heterogeneous group of new entrepreneurs and owner-driven companies that together show great drive and clear objectives with their participation. The accepted companies are:
Anettes Byggnadsvård, Bryggverket, Design by Björk, Djurmagneten, Eljest, Fantasia, Gamla Salteriet, Guldsmedjan, Gårdshem, Hemslöjden, Humlebäck keramik och möbelsnickeri, Ingmar inredning, Ingrids underkläder, Malin i Ratan, Mat & Event AB and Meretes ekobutik.
The new round of the programme is taking place in Umeå, starting at the end of August, and an even more comprehensive programme is now being offered to participants. Among other things, the programme has been extended to nine months to provide more time to put their new knowledge into practice and action. In addition, the content has also been adjusted to match the needs of participating companies, including elements of export maturity and internationalisation for companies that either need to develop to reach out internationally with their goods and services or develop to meet incoming international customers, for example. Sustainability issues are also an important element in all programme items.
The programme is a so-called accelerator programme where participants work intensively with industry experts, business developers and researchers. Since the start of the programme in 2019, eXpression Future Retail Lab also supports similar initiatives by sharing its experience of having developed, established and implemented an advanced business development programme.
- We are proud to welcome sixteen new companies to a strong programme with heavy industry expertise, research roots and educational precision in its approach. Participants are given individual opportunities to develop while we also harness the power of bringing together experienced, courageous and driven entrepreneurs. We will see examples of development and collaboration in new and innovative directions - exactly what is needed right now for retail and urban development," says Annakarin Nyberg, business developer and programme manager for eXpression Future Retail Lab.
The programme is an initiative of the business incubator eXpression Umeå, which is being carried out together with Umeå municipality, the Swedish Trade Federation via the Köpmannaförbundet Foundation, Region Västerbotten and EU structural funds. Actors who are currently joining forces to create conditions for a hard-hit industry. During the spring, however, fears were expressed that, precisely because of the pandemic, it would be difficult to fill the programme places. But voices from the industry expressed the opposite view.
- We have carried out many visits and conversations with companies who express that the need for new knowledge, innovation and business development is greater than ever. At the same time, we also see that many companies are struggling to survive, and in such a situation it is naturally challenging to recharge, rethink and look ahead. It's a complex and serious situation," says Anna Kjellberg, Business Developer at eXpression.
At the start of the programme on 25 August, the accepted companies will meet for the first time.
For more information:
Annakarin Nyberg, Programme Manager Business Development eXpression Future Retail Lab
annakarin.nyberg@expressionumea.se
070-667 94 43
