Conversations with EEPA Category Winners – Go Cloud Piteå Science Park

We are Excited to share an exclusive look into the minds of industry leaders! We've engaged with winners across diverse categories at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA), posing insightful questions to explore the motivations, strategies, and visions behind their exceptional work. Join us on this insightful journey through the experiences of these distinguished EEPA Category Winners—a rich source of wisdom for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and enthusiasts. Let's dive in!

This week we will introduce you the winner of Category 3, Supporting the Digital Transition: Go Cloud - Piteå Science Park (Sweden). Go Cloud explores the use of the digital space to create a new approach to incubator operations, enabling people over a vast geographical region to work together. The project runs two programmes, 'Hangout' for early start-ups and 'Incubator' for full-time businesses.

How did you first hear about the European Enterprise Promotion Awards competition and why did you decide to enter?

We first heard of the EEPA thanks to our external project evaluator, European Minds. They had followed our work during the project and saw what an impact the results from emphasizing the digital perspective in a vast geographical region – and promoting the value and passion-driven entrepreneurs can create in a society.

How did you prepare your application?

 We prepared the application by summarizing the methods, focus and results of the project – using a larger report as a foundation for the shorter application. We thought it was important to clearly articulate the impact of the project, and demonstrate how our initiatives contributed to societal challenges, economic development and innovation from a digital perspective. We tried to be as clear as possible regarding both the measurable outcomes from the project, but also how it created a positive change in society as a whole.

 What do you think made your application standout?

Go Business and Piteå Science Park are truly value driven. In this project (Go Cloud), our focus was to creating a digital inspirational method which supported the passion driven entrepreneurs that make a difference on how a geographical region is perceived. Go Cloud has supported entrepreneurs in cultural and creative industries, tourism, and service businesses. These are businesses important for enhancing the social sustainability and the economic development of Northern Sweden. The philosophy of Go Cloud is based on helping the person behind the business idea to develop their entrepreneurial skills and to empowering individuals behind business ideas and building a supportive digital ecosystem. Along side with the main target groups, Go Cloud has supported a majority of female entrepreneurs, who are often underrepresented in traditional business support programs. One of the things we hope stands out, is the uniqueness of its fully digital format. This allows entrepreneurs to participate from anywhere in Norrbotten and Västerbotten regions, without the need to travel long distances. This is especially important in rural and remote areas where access to resources and networking opportunities is limited. Everyone should have an equal right to this kind of support system, independently from where you happen to be located. The digital format facilitates collaboration and knowledge-sharing among entrepreneurs, providing a supportive community that transcends geographic boundaries. This fosters a culture of supportiveness, knowledge-sharing and collaboration, which many traditional incubators misses out on. The focus on entrepreneurial culture benefits the region's economy, attractiveness, and society as a whole.

Could you tell us what it felt winning the award and its significance to you?

Wonderful, unexpected, and truly an honor. At Piteå Science Park, we take great pride in our value driven operations, and we really try to make a difference for organizations and people in the northernmost parts of Sweden. This is a receipt for hard work, and motivates us to explore new avenues, opening doors for new partnerships, and helps us to continue making a positive impact. The EEPA-award has elevated our profile in the business ecosystem, boosting our influence and credibility. This recognition enables valuable connections and partnerships, providing us with opportunities to collaborate with like-minded organizations and experts across Europe. The award has become a symbol of trust making it easier for us to engage in certain partnerships – which of course is a huge benefit! The feeling of winning the EEPA Award is a mix of joy, pride, and a deep sense of responsibility.

In what ways has winning the EEPA Awards impacted your ongoing projects/ initiatives?

Well, first and foremost – we’ve gotten a lot of recognition from winning the award – which is wonderful! Winning such a prestigious award becomes sort of a proof of what we have accomplished so far is both valuable, but also lining up in the right direction with what’s important in a greater perspective in EU. We hope that winning the award will create a ripple effect of positive outcomes. The European Enterprise Promotion Awards have further enhanced our credibility and standing within our industry and the broader business community. This recognition will be able to open doors to invaluable networking opportunities, allowing us to establish meaningful connections with potential collaborators. Beyond the immediate benefits, winning the EEPA has also provided a platform for knowledge-sharing and best practices. Engaging with other winners and participants has insights into successful strategies and opened doors to new perspectives, learning about how others operate within both our own region, but also in other countries. A new, and expanded, dimension of what Piteå Science Park is all about. Participating in EEPA provides an opportunity for European recognition. Winning means that our project has been lifted to the forefront on the European stage, amplifying our visibility and enhancing our reputation among industry peers, potential partners, and many others. Engaging with others in such an arena and learning from their experiences can offer valuable insights, helping us to refine our strategies and approaches.

What are your plans for the future?

 We’re now in the process of expanding our digital methods, ensuring that more target groups can be a part of the Go Business Community. Therefore, we will introduce two new initiatives/parts of Go Business:

• One which supports aspiring future entrepreneurs, young adults who are interested in entrepreneurship – but hasn’t yet started their companies.

• One which will enable entrepreneurs within cultural or creative sector to explore collaborations in fundamentally different industries, such as companies within the transition toward green steel. Go Business will continue striving towards making a difference for the passion driven entrepreneurs in the northernmost parts of Sweden - Especially when it comes to enabling knowledge sharing across both geographical and industries. Focus will remain on supporting the person behind the business idea in becoming more secure, courageous, and pushing their own boundaries – since we can see the benefits and results of doing so.

 Why should others enter EEPA 2024? What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs?

 Participating in EEPA 2024 is a great experience. It offers European exposure in a relevant context, validating your initiative and opening doors to diverse opportunities. Among other things, the networking with industry experts and potential partners is invaluable. Learning from fellow entrepreneurs on sight at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards-ceremony encourages continuous growth and refinement. Winning or being shortlisted serves as a powerful marketing tool, attracting attention and has the possibility of supporting your means. While aligning your initiative with EU priorities, EEPA positions them as valuable contributors to broader European goals. An advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs… Stick with your passion and follow your own way – no one else’s. Entrepreneurship can take on an incredibly wide range, shape, or forms, and they all matter as much as the next. Don’t be afraid to collaborate and explore other people’s perspectives. Invite people to your world - new perspectives strengthens both you and your business ventures!

Finally, we invite you to stay updated on the event on the Promoting enterprise news portal and also via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube so stay tuned. It is possible to check the photos from the event also on Promoting Enterprise | Flickr.