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Posted: January 13, 2011
When Apple and RIM searched for new places to invest they both spotted the same region – Skåne. It began when Apple bought Polar Rose in Malmö last fall. Hereafter Blackberry's manufacturer RIM showed up in the region and bought TAT - also located in the kingdom's third city.
Is it a coincidence that the two perhaps most high-profile IT acquisitions took place in Malmö last year? The answer is absolutely not, if you ask TAT-founder Hampus Jakobsson.
- No, it is no coincidence. The region is hot, a lot is happening, and it bubbles.
- We asked our banker who works in London if he knew anything about Sweden. He chuckled and nodded, and said, - yes, you can be sure that I keep an eye out for that region.
When IT24 asks the industry why so much happens in Skåne currently the response is the same: Sony Ericsson. Not least the fact that Sony Ericsson has been forced to major cutbacks.
Hundreds of people many with a background in the engineering programs at the Faculty of Engineering at Lunds University, was forced to clean up their desks and leave the mobile phone manufacturer during the crisis years 2008-2009. This situation became a big push in the right direction for the entrepreneurship in the region.
Hampus Jakobsson says:
- When Sony Ericsson laid off due to the major cutbacks they paid out a year's salary to those who were forced to go. Such a period is perfect to start your own company, and many have used the opportunity. An example is Color Monkey, a design company that was started by former Sony Ericsson employees.
Hampus Jakobsson has followed the entrepreneurship in the region for some years. Among other things, he has invested in companies as a business angel.
What does the venture capital supply look like in the region?
- There is too little seed capital, but that is the same for Stockholm. But recently the situation has started to look better. This has led to a great network of business angels.
If Hampus Jakobsson should point out the hottest companies he mentions Scalado, a leading company of high-performing imaging technologies, applications and engineering services for the camera phone industry.
- I am sure they will be on the stock market or have been acquired within two years. Planeto is another company that is incredibly promising. It is an online quiz with RPG elements.
Other companies that Hampus Jakobsson mentions are Anyfi, Infra Sight Labs, Popdevelop and Qubulus.
The company GfK Sweden is based in Lund. CEO Ulf Hillstedt agrees that there are possibilities in the region - he also mentions Sony Ericsson as the engine.
- The development at Sony Ericsson and their staff have had a major impact. It has been a powerful force in the region. Sony Ericsson concentrates much of their business in Lund which is a result of great relations to the students, both at the Faculty of Engineering and the Economics Institute.
Another factor that Ulf Hillstedt mentions is that Malmö and Lund is growing together more and more. Previously, the cities have been competitors - now the focus is on cooperation.
- The importance of whether you are sitting in Malmö or Lund has declined dramatically in recent times and the city limits have been eliminated.
Source: IDG
