Thursday, April 7, 2016

Swedish fast way to Silicon Valley – New Technology

“Four weeks in the Silicon Valley should be mandatory for all Swedish development company,” says Liselott Johansson, CEO of Greater Than.

Last spring participated Liselott Johansson, CEO of Greater Than, in a four-week accelerator program in Silicon Valley.

Behind the event is Vinnova together with the Norwegian Innovation Norway. The course is free, but Vinnova give a contribution of about 50 000. The cost however each participant SEK 25 000 and that includes not traveling, living or insurance.

– I did not have high expectations, but it was money well invested, assures Liselott Johansson.

Four weeks is a long time for a president to be away from the home office, but it also worked surprisingly well.

– There is of course intense weeks. But it’s nine-hour time difference, so you have time to work against Sweden as well.

The company Greater Than develops a car insurance service that measures the driver’s risk level in real time, and Liselott Johansson had two aims of the trip. To acquire new contacts in Silicon Valley, where many of the companies that work with connected cars are. And to evaluate the technology, algorithms and artificial intelligence, the company works with.

– The coaches during the course had a good network, which certainly made it easier for me to make contact with the electric car manufacturer Tesla and Jawbone, experts to measure people who exercise, she says.

Among the coaches during the course was Julia Hanna, an advisor to President Obama.

the many savvy investors Liselott Johansson met contributed to both the technical verification and business strategy.

– They are so used to seeing company of my type. I realized that our technical solution is, and was also verified that the need for our services is wider than I imagined. So I decided for a more aggressive launch plan.

She recommends all development company that has been around a while and has gone further than just having an idea.

– If we in Sweden will try to lift our development, so should this be mandatory. It gives such a boost.

But anyone who started a development here at home know already what how they work in Silicon Valley?

– Yes, but it’s something else to be on place. Everything is faster. In Sweden, I get maybe a meeting about two weeks. In Silicon Valley, I got fourth the next day. And it is usually enough. The way to work, we could embrace in Sweden. To help each other more.

Liselott Johansson also tells us that she had received several good contacts and tips just by taking a coffee at Coupa Café.

– There will always reach someone and ask what you do.

Greater Than now have an address in the Silicon Valley on its website. It goes to Vinnova’s office, which Liselott Johansson has visited several times since she finished the program.

Anne Lidgard manage Vinnova’s offices in Palo Alto and is extremely satisfied with the outcome of the program which started in spring 2014.

– But there are those who put their bet since they have been here. But it can also be an absolutely right decision, she said.

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Application deadline 10 May

10 May is the last application deadline for the autumn accelerator program “Tinc Silicon Valley” which runs from October 18 to november 18, 2016.

10 companies from Sweden and Norway participate each time. The program runs twice a year.

Requirements: The company an ambitious global effort, and at least have a prototype or beta version of their product or service.

Read more: http://www.nordicinnovationhouse.com/tinc

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