More than numbers: the impact of Tech Borås

In recent years, Tech Borås has developed within the framework of Techarena – a project at the University of Borås funded by, among others, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Västra Götaland Region. The project has now reached its conclusion, with all targets successfully achieved. At the same time, something greater has taken shape in Borås: a vibrant community and tech ecosystem built on relationships, knowledge and ways of working that continue to evolve.

Tech Borås is a platform where companies, the public sector and education come together to drive innovation, development and learning. Through collaboration between industry, the University of Borås and other stakeholders, the aim has been to strengthen research and innovation capacity in the Borås region. This includes both developing concrete solutions and building long-term expertise, where education, research and industry enrich one another.

Results that exceed expectations

IWithin the Techarena project, which has been run in parallel in Borås and Varberg, the established project targets have been met:

73 SMEs supported in innovation and skills development (target: 70)
27 SMEs developed new artefacts, such as products, services, processes or business models (target: 26)
14 SMEs introduced new product or process innovations (target: 12)

These figures represent the formal metrics reported to the funders and clearly demonstrate the impact of the initiative on participating companies.

A broader picture of the results

Beyond the headline figures, extensive work has taken place within Tech Borås. Throughout the project period, a wide range of activities has brought together companies, students and organisations in different types of development initiatives – from innovation sprints and hackathons to courses, workshops and meetups.

In total:

43 meetups to strengthen tech-related skills
700 unique* participants at meetups and events
15 companies participated in innovation sprints
4 tailored courses supporting industry competence development
4 hackathons delivered

(* Many participants attend multiple activities – the figure refers to unique individuals)

Engagement in numbers

Behind every activity lies the commitment of individuals and organisations. Overall, the figures show a high and consistent level of engagement, with many stakeholders contributing over time.

Since the project began in 2023:

175 companies have contributed their time to Tech Borås
15,322 hours contributed by industry participants
14,587 hours contributed by researchers and staff at the University of Borås
13,036 hours contributed by students at the university and vocational education institutions

This breadth and continuity have made it possible to build something more sustainable than individual project efforts.

From activities to learning and capability

Much of the work within Tech Borås has been based on practical, needs-driven learning. By collaborating in innovation sprints, participants have been able to test ideas, solve real-world challenges and develop new ways of working.

This has contributed to:

strengthened skills in innovation and digital development
new methods that continue to be used within organisations
closer links between education and working life

The results are not only what has been created during the project period, but also the capability to continue developing built among participants., utan också den förmåga att fortsätta utvecklas som byggts upp hos deltagarna.

Meeting places that last

A key part of Tech Borås’ work has been to establish recurring meeting places. Through meetups, events and initiatives, a structure has emerged where people regularly come together around tech and innovation.

This has led to:

new collaborations between companies and organisations
stronger links between students and working life
a growing community where participants continue to return and engage

Ways of working that live on

The project has also developed and tested methods for collaboration and innovation in practice. One example is innovation sprints – an approach that enables teams to tackle challenges quickly and develop solutions in a structured way. These methods are now being used beyond the project, forming a foundation for continued work within Tech Borås.

What the results mean for Borås

Overall, Tech Borås has strengthened the conditions for innovation and development in the region:

companies gain access to skills, networks and support for development work
students work on real-world cases and build connections with industry
the Borås region benefits from a more connected and active tech ecosystem

In essence, it is about establishing effective structures for collaboration and continued development.

A foundation for the future

Although the project itself is now concluding, the work of Tech Borås continues. What has been built remains: relationships, ways of working and a shared ambition to collaborate around tech and innovation. Efforts are also ongoing to secure new funding for future initiatives.

The ambition remains to bring stakeholders together, create relevant meeting places and contribute to learning and innovation in the Borås region. The results achieved so far provide a strong foundation for the next phase.

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Want to explore more in depth?

Here you can read our annual reports:

Annual Report 2025 (PDF)

Annual Report 2024 (PDF)

Annual Report 2023 (PDF)