SPOT Nordic Visit to Linköping Strengthens Bridges

Last week, a SPOT Nordic delegation visited Linköping for two high-level meetings that underline the importance of connecting academic research with industrial innovation.

The agenda included an in-depth discussion with LEAD, one of Sweden’s most respected incubators, followed by a strategic visit to Saab’s facilities. SPOT Nordic was represented by the Chair of the Board, David Pereira de Castro, the Vice-Chair, Ana Catarina Silva, and a member of the Swedish representation, Gabriel Campos.

Visit to LEAD: Understanding How Innovation Becomes Industry

The first meeting took place at LEAD, the Linköping-based business incubator recognized for its strong results in accelerating deep-tech and research-based companies. We were welcomed by CEO Catharina Sandberg, who was appointed to Sweden’s Council for Defence Innovation in 2024 and plays a key role in shaping the region’s innovation ecosystem.

The discussion focused on SPOT Nordic’s project From Science to Industry, exploring how

Portuguese and Nordic researchers and start-ups could benefit from structured support

models, including LEAD’s incubation and acceleration programmes. LEAD shared insights into how it organizes mentoring, business development, technology validation, and strategic partnerships to help early-stage companies grow in complex, high-technology fields.

This exchange offered practical blueprints for SPOT Nordic’s goal of building transnational

innovation pipelines that can link academic ideas to real industrial needs.

Meeting at Saab: Innovation in Action

The second meeting was held at Saab, where the delegation had the opportunity to visit the facilities, including testing the Gripen flight simulator. Saab provided a comprehensive view of its technology environment, from aerospace platforms to advanced defence systems.

We met with Daniel Boestad, Vice President Gripen Business Development, Mattias Kallstrand, Director Sales and Marketing, and Peter Sjöström, Director Industrial

Cooperation. Discussions centred on research, innovation and the evolving opportunities for

cooperation between Portugal, the Nordic region and Sweden’s defence and aerospace

industry.

Saab and SPOT Nordic exchanged perspectives on mechanisms to strengthen collaboration

between industry, academia and emerging innovative actors. Key themes included bilateral

and multilateral R&D opportunities, coordinated innovation, and the role of science

diplomacy in promoting economic development and technological advancement.

A Foundation for Future Collaboration

These two meetings demonstrated the strong potential for building structured, cross-border

innovation pathways. LEAD offers valuable experience in turning scientific ideas into viable

companies, while Saab represents an industry partner with concrete needs in research and

technological development.

Together, they highlight how Portugal and the Nordic region can jointly strengthen capacities

in areas such as deep-tech, dual-use technologies, aerospace innovation and defence-related R&D.

SPOT Nordic will continue to explore formal collaboration mechanisms and opportunities

arising from this visit, with the aim of promoting knowledge transfer, industrial partnerships

and innovation-driven economic development.

#ScienceDiplomacy #InnovationEcosystems #NordicPortugal #ResearchAndDevelopment #DeepTech #DefenceInnovation #SPOTNordic