The number of Nordic start-ups may be high but the companies themselves fare poorly in comparisons with the USA, etc., as the high number fails to reflect in any corresponding boost to economic growth.
With this in mind, the Nordic trade ministers have agreed on a major initiative to boost growth in Nordic start-ups in relation to their global competition.
With this in mind, the Nordic trade ministers have agreed on a major initiative to boost growth in Nordic start-ups in relation to their global competition.
Meeting in Copenhagen on 25 October 2010, the ministers decided to set up a Nordic knowledge centre to co-ordinate and improve entrepreneurship initiatives. Two of the centre’s main priorities will be entrepreneurship programmes and initiatives designed to improve growth prospects for rapidly growing "gazelle" companies.
The Danish Minister of Economic and Business Affairs, Brian Mikkelsen, on sustainable construction.
The knowledge centre is one of several lighthouse projects in a new three-year strategy – 'The Nordic Co-operation Programme for Innovation- and Business Policy 2011-2013' – approved by the ministers.
The strategy also includes a Nordic innovation forum, a Nordic strategy for corporate social responsibility, a joint marketing campaign by innovative companies, the creative industries and innovation in public-sector procurement and regulation, particularly in the health sector.
It also includes a comprehensive Nordic programme for climate-friendly construction.
The ministers aim to reduce energy consumption in buildings while improving the export prospects for Nordic energy solutions. The long-term ambition is to reduce CO2 emissions. Buildings account for approximately 40% of total energy consumption at the moment in the industrialised world.
The reduction will be achieved by a multi-year commitment to new ideas for:
Nordic Entrepreneurship Monitor is available here on norden.org
Read more about climate friendly construction on norden.org
Health innovation in the Nordic countries is available at norden.org
Read more about KreaNord
Helena Wallin
Phone
+45 3396 0351
Email
hw@norden.org
Anne Sofie Bender
Phone
+45 3396 0274
Email
asb@norden.org
Pouline Terpager Rasmussen
Phone
+45 33 96 02 93
Email
ptr@norden.org