Kickoff for several new initiatives within Demand Acceleration

This week saw the kickoff for several new initiatives linked to Demand Acceleration. These involve both spreading knowledge about the methodology and testing it in entirely new areas.

An important partner in the work of spreading and developing the methodology is Ignite Sweden, which contributes experience and tools for matching the public sector with startups. The aim is to pave the way for more innovative products and services to be developed and disseminated in the public market.

In addition, Karlstad Municipality – the only public actor to have used the Demand Acceleration methodology so far – is preparing a second procurement. This time, the goal is to create a digital tool that makes the city’s offerings more accessible.

To be tested for creating climate-smart innovations

An entirely new partner in the context is WWF, which will contribute its expertise in climate innovation. The purpose is to explore whether the Demand Acceleration methodology can also drive demand for innovation in climate-smart solutions and reduce the public sector’s climate footprint.

Lina Svensberg with some key partners for upcoming initiatives. From left: Thomas Wernerheim, Karlstad Municipality, Linus Arnold, Ignite Sweden, and Örjan Jansson, WWF.

What began as a pilot initiative on a new and untested methodology for combining public procurement with innovation has now gained considerable momentum. The various complementary projects now make it possible to continue the work of making public procurement more innovation-driven.

– It feels incredibly inspiring to have the opportunity to further develop the methodology together with the country’s leading organisations in their respective fields, to take the work to the next level. It is about developing ways for public procurement to become more innovation-driven – something that is necessary if we are to solve the societal challenges we face, says Lina Svensberg, Innovation Manager at Compare.

Analyses shaped in collaboration with Vinnova

In addition to bringing together the operational teams, the kickoff was also attended by Kjell-Håkan Närfelt, Chief Strategy Officer at Vinnova, who together with Lina Svensberg developed the analysis behind Demand Acceleration.

“Annually, SEK 800 billion is spent on public procurement. This represents an enormous national driving force for demanding innovative products and services that can solve our shared societal challenges.”

Kjell-Håkan Närfelt, Chief Strategy Officer at Vinnova, attended the kickoff and shared many of the analyses that paved the way for the Demand Acceleration methodology.