From the very beginning, DigitalWell Arena has had a clear ambition: to create better conditions for digital health innovation by bringing together the public sector and entrepreneurs. The public sector has a growing need to develop and implement digital technologies to improve the quality of care and health. At the same time, there are a large number of entrepreneurs working on new technologies, such as AI, advanced apps and smart solutions for collecting and analysing health data.
When the first version of DigitalWell Innovation Support was launched in 2020, it became the starting point for a more systematic support to startups. It helped entrepreneurs build prototypes, conduct real-world tests, protect their ideas and understand public sector needs. In the first year, 50 companies and entrepreneurs accessed various support services.
– The learning curve was as steep for us as for the entrepreneurs. We quickly realised that it would be difficult to tailor each intervention over time – but the result was still fantastic,” says Lina Svensberg, who was responsible for the initiative.
With a basic funding of SEK 2 million for DigitalWell’s Innovation Support, the companies that received support managed to raise almost SEK 10 million in investments in their first year. Many of the companies that were at the beginning of their journey are now established and growing companies. Stepler is perhaps the most famous example, whose app to reward physical activity has now spread to ten countries and attracts seven million users.
The strong leverage also paved the way for new ideas – and became the foundation of DigitalWell Ventures, a specialised healthtech incubator and accelerator.
When DigitalWell Ventures launched in 2021, support for start-ups took a new form. Through a structured programme, companies could access expert support, verification and investor networks. In April 2025, the eighth cohort of the accelerator programme ended – and in total, over 70 companies have now gone through the acceleration and incubation programmes.
– By linking our support services to more cohesive programmes for selected companies, we were able to help more companies with similar needs, while continuing to adapt the support to each company’s unique journey,” says Stefan Skoglund, CEO of DigitalWell Ventures.
Overall, the DigitalWell Arena ecosystem has supported over 150 companies – and helped them attract more than SEK 155 million in follow-on investment.
– “The real amount is probably even higher, these are just the investments we know about. And it also does not include the revenue the companies generated from sales to customers,” says Stefan Skoglund.
At the same time as DigitalWell Ventures was established, a clearer focus also grew within DigitalWell Arena: to not only support the companies – but also strengthen the public sector. To avoid role conflicts, the incubator was transferred to the Värmland foundation Inova, while DigitalWell Arena deepened its work on creating joint infrastructure that uses the power of the public sector to stimulate innovation.
– “Our initial efforts to support companies were successful, but this is not enough to bring about systemic change. That’s why we have increasingly focused on developing forms of co-operation and tools that make it easier for the public sector to demand innovation,” says Jonas Matthing, Executive Director of DigitalWell Arena.
A clear example is Demand Acceleration – a framework for procurement-driven innovation. It involves integrating procurement into the innovation process, where multiple companies can contribute to developing solutions in close dialogue with the public sector.
In 2022, Karlstad Municipality carried out the first procurement under the framework. The result was a VR service to train healthcare professionals in dealing with people with cognitive impairment – developed by the startup Virotea. The service is currently used by over 40 municipalities and healthcare providers.
Since then, three more new digital services have been created with the support of the framework.
– Public procurement has a huge potential to drive innovation. If we could use just a little more of the SEK 900 billion in annual public procurement to demand innovative solutions, it would be a game changer,” says Jonas Matthing.
Another important piece of the new infrastructure is the creation of a national framework for quality assurance of health apps. Currently, each municipality or region has to make its own judgements – leading to slow implementation, unequal access and high development costs for companies.
DigitalWell Arena is now running several initiatives to contribute to common interpretations of quality requirements – benefiting both private and public sector actors.
The focus on collaboration has also had an impact on DigitalWell Ventures, which is now part of the national incubator programme and an important knowledge node on what it takes to succeed in a public market.
– Interaction with the public sector provides an opportunity to build trust. There are several unique elements to consider here that we have built specialised expertise around, which can now be spread to more people,” says Stefan Skoglund.
DigitalWell Innovation Support remains the starting point, and DigitalWell Arena’s common entry point for startups and entrepreneurs. The DigitalWell Innovation Council also plays a central role. In total, the council has made an initial evaluation of over 400 ideas. Representatives from Region Värmland, Karlstad Municipality, Karlstad University, Almi Invest – and DigitalWell Arena – are involved.
– The Innovation Council has become an invaluable gateway into the system. It provides early validation of ideas – but also insight into the innovation landscape for the public sector. It gives a good picture of what DigitalWell Arena is all about: bringing together needs and opportunities,” says Jonas Matthing.
For the first time, the award ceremony took place as part of Unfold Värmland – a new three-day event with more than 40 programme items on development, innovation and sustainable social change. During the mingle evening at Olssons Bazar in Karlstad, participants from all over Sweden met, with representatives from the public sector, academia, business and civil society.
– It was an incredibly nice evening where different networks got to meet – and widen their circles. For DigitalWell Arena, it is an excellent context to shed light on one of our most important societal challenges: how we create the conditions for more sustainable and inclusive health,” says Marie Granander, Project Manager at DigitalWell Arena.
Every year, the DigitalWell Awards recognise role models from across the country for future health innovations. This year’s nominees showed an impressive breadth. The finalists include examples of initiatives that improve care flows and processes, but also innovations with the individual in focus – where technology can create greater security, accessibility and equality.
Given the achievements represented by all the nominees, there are really only winners – but the entries voted as this year’s recipients of the DigitalWell Awards 2025 are:
✔ Innovation capacity through collaboration: Björn Alexandersson, Vårdcentralen Eda✔ Data & digital technology: Kim Toft Madsen, Aquatime✔ Service development & commercialisation: Karin Frejsjö, Karlstad Municipality✔ Individual participation: Lisa Hedin and Judith Gönster Rotevatn, Sundsta-Älvkullegymnasiet Karlstad
Three of the winners came from DigitalWell Arena’s “home turf” in Värmland. The fourth, Kim Toft Madsen, had flown in from Copenhagen to attend the award ceremony. After five years of work, his smart drinking glass, which prevents dehydration in the elderly, has now reached 20 per cent of Denmark’s municipalities – and the work of establishing the solution on the Swedish market has just begun.– “I’m so proud, not for myself but for all the employees who have been involved in developing this solution. And not least the customers who have embraced the glass and given us feedback on the value it brings – both for the elderly and for carers,” says Kim Toft Madsen.
Marie Granander was delighted with both the winners and all the nominees, whose efforts concretise what digital health innovation means in practice, and how digital solutions can meet both everyday needs and larger system challenges.
– “Our twelve finalists show how innovation can take shape in different parts of the ecosystem – from technology and research to practical business development and new ways to empower the individual,” says Marie Granander. “This is the whole we need to build on if we are to meet the major demographic challenges facing healthcare.
For three days, 26-28 May, Karlstad will be transformed into a meeting place for everyone who wants to contribute to innovation and societal improvement – whether you are an entrepreneur, a researcher, a policy maker or a public sector professional. DigitalWell Arena’s activities range from practical innovation support to workshops on procurement-friendly innovation management.
Lina Svensberg, Innovation Manager at DigitalWell Arena, is particularly looking forward to bringing different parts of her network together on her home turf – and creating new encounters between people with different perspectives:
“UNFOLD provides a unique opportunity to weave together local initiatives with national and international perspectives. There is tremendous power when people with different missions and experiences come together – researchers, experts, policy makers and entrepreneurs.”
DigitalWell Arena will also host the joint mingle evening on 27 May at Olssons Bazar, where we will crown the winners of the DigitalWell Awards.
Some of our events are almost fully booked – but there are still many open activities to take part in. You can find the full list at the bottom of the page!
Some of the co-organisers of Unfold Värmland: Lina Svensberg (DigitalWell Arena), Thomas Wernerheim (Karlstad Municipality), Charlotte Wäreborn (Compare), Lise Bergqvist (DigitalWell Ventures), Per Kristensson (CTF), and Josefin Danielsson (Region Värmland).
Digital opening of Unfold Värmland 2025 and presentation of the week’s various events and organisers. When: 26 May at 09:00-09:30 Where: Unfold Värmland’s LinkedIn page
Do you have an idea you want to explore or develop? Come and discuss it with DigitalWell Arena’s innovation advisors in our open counselling. Where: Karlstadrummet, Karlstad City Library When: 26 & 27 May at 10:00-11:00 No pre-registration required
Research and practice – based on the demand acceleration framework. Where: Värmlands Museum When: 26 May at 13:00-17:00 More info and registration – NOTE! Few places left
Welcome to a relaxed breakfast meeting! Meet representatives from Health Data Sweden and find out how HDS Gateway can support companies and public actors in the use of health data. Where: Värmlands Museum When: 27 May at 08:15-09:30 No pre-registration required
This workshop will bring together practitioners and support actors for joint exploration. What is really needed to support the transition in practice? Where: Elite Stadshotellet When: 27 May at 09:45-11:45 More info and registration – NOTE! Few places left
How can the public sector simplify the procurement of health apps – while raising quality standards? The seminar will also be broadcast digitally. Where: Värmlands Museum When: 27 May at 10:30-11:30 More info and link to webcast
A lunch session with startup pitches and excitement about what is happening within DigitalWell Ventures. Meet the companies that develop future solutions for digital health and the public sector. Where: Hotel Fratelli When: 27 May at 11:30-12:45 No pre-registration required
Welcome to a practical and playful workshop with David Hanley from We Shine where we explore complexity together by building with LEGO. Where: Elite Stadshotellet When: 27 May at 13:15-14:45 More info and registration – NOTE! Few places left
A joint end to the day – with mingle, inspiration and award ceremony in the DigitalWell Awards. Where: Olssons Bazar When: 27 May from 16:00 More info and registration
The video podcast broadcasts a special episode from Värmlands Museum in connection with the launch of The Ecosystem Playbook. The tool has been developed by Vinnova, Ramboll and Danish Design Centre and provides guidance on how regions can strengthen their innovation systems through coordination and long-term strategy. More info and link to registration
The lawyer’s guide to strong companies and successful commercialisation of innovation. A masterclass on building value-creating infrastructure. Where: Elite Stadshotellet When: 28 May at 08:45-10:45 More info and registration
Free digital scouting to present four innovative solutions for the public sector. Easier business intelligence – directly to your screen. Where: Online When: 28 May at 10:00-11:00 More info and registration
Digital closing of Unfold Värmland 2025 with a reflection together with some of the speakers and organisers from the week. When: 26 May at 14:15-14:45 Where: Unfold Värmland’s LinkedIn page
Here you can take part of the entire unfold Värmland programme
The finalist field is an excellent reflection of the diversity of the digital health innovation ecosystem. Six of the nominees address challenges related to children and young people in different ways – from interventions that empower children to AI solutions that can identify vulnerable children and digital platforms that create community for young people with disabilities.
At the same time, several initiatives also target the elderly and people with chronic diseases, using digital technologies to prevent health problems and streamline care processes.
The candidates come from a wide range of sectors and organisations – from start-up founders and researchers to civil servants and non-profit organisations. What they all have in common is a desire to use digital technology to address key societal challenges.
The nominees per category, from top to bottom:
Four winners in as many categories will be announced at Olssons Bazar in Karlstad on 27 May. This year, the DigitalWell Awards will be presented in conjunction with Unfold Värmland’s mingle evening. Unfold Värmland is a gathering event that over three days, 26 to 28 May, offers over 30 exciting programme items.
Many people are working hard to enable changes that can contribute to better health – with the DigitalWell Award, the DigitalWell Arena wants to highlight inspiring solutions and initiatives.
Fortunately, more and more people seem to want to recognise these good forces. Last year, a record number of votes (2,000!) were cast for the award!
– This is the fifth time we have organised the DigitalWell Awards, and our previous winners include fantastic representatives and pioneers of digital health innovation, from research, industry and the public sector. The DigitalWell Awards have become an inspiring forum to showcase the breadth of our ecosystem. It also highlights the need for collaboration to bring about change,” says Marie Granander, Project Manager for DigitalWell Arena.
In addition to positive attention, the DigitalWell Award gives winners the opportunity to attend a recognised conference on digital health and innovation. This creates opportunities for skills development, exchange of experience, business intelligence and a broader network of contacts.
To be nominated for the DigitalWell Award, you must have a digital solution or initiative in one of the four categories of the competition:
You can nominate candidates from the private, public and academic sectors. From individuals, to a department, a company or an organisation.
here you can nominate your candidate
Nominations for the award are open until 14 April. They can be both individuals and organisations that contribute to the future of health innovation. After this, the competition organiser DigitalWell Arena will select up to three candidates in each category.
The DigitalWell Awards will be held for the fifth time this year, and voting for the final candidates selected in each category will open on Tuesday 7 May.
The winners will be chosen by combining the scores from the organiser’s jury, the DigitalWell Arena steering group, and the public vote. This year’s winners will be presented live on 27 May during UNFOLD Värmland’s mingle at Olssons Bazar in Karlstad
Read more about the digitalwell awardSign up for the unfold mingle
Below you will find our annual report broken down into our four focus areas, where you can find out more about:
Many thanks to all our partners!In 2024 alone, we are 417 actors who have contributed in various ways to initiatives in the health innovation ecosystem.
DigitalWell Arena continues its work to establish a national framework for quality assurance of health applications. At the end of 2024, a report was published with recommendations on how Sweden can both accelerate the use of health apps and create a safer market.
The report is the result of a one-year feasibility study involving both authorities and industry organisations, including the Medical Products Agency, the eHealth Agency and Swedish Medtech.
The report makes a number of recommendations on how Sweden can increase the trust and utility of health apps. The most central conclusion is that a national quality framework with clear requirements needs to be put in place.
Today, the quality of health apps is assessed by each individual municipality or region, creating unequal access to new services. For companies, the lack of standardised requirements means high development costs. Ultimately, there is a risk that Swedish solutions will be directed towards other markets, with clearer regulations and greater opportunities to scale.
“DigitalWell Arena has established itself as an intermediary that brings together key stakeholders around this important issue. Without a clear structure to evaluate the quality of health apps, their usefulness risks being limited, especially in the public sector,” says Jonas Matthing, Executive Director of DigitalWell Arena.
Even while waiting for a national framework, the public sector needs to improve its knowledge of quality assurance for health apps. In connection with the feasibility study, three Swedish companies (Everon, ProBits and Imagine Care) had their applications tested according to the Nordic quality framework NordDEC, which gave positive results.
In 2025, more companies will therefore be offered assessments under existing quality frameworks. At the same time, the public sector will be more actively involved, as an important aspect is that public customers start using existing frameworks to set quality requirements.
“This includes identifying whether there are different interpretations of the regulations, or other obstacles to the use of health apps,” says Marie Granander, project manager at DigitalWell Arena.
2024 has marked a breakthrough for public procurement as a tool for innovation. Three new procurements have been carried out with the support of the Demand Acceleration framework – in addition, the first service developed has now been procured by almost 30 organisations.
As recently as 2021-22, the principles of the Demand Acceleration framework were put into practice for the first time in a public procurement by the municipality of Karlstad. In short, the approach involves integrating public procurement into innovation processes, where several companies can be procured to work together with the organisation to create a solution with the potential for widespread adoption.
In Karlstad, the health and social care unit was looking for a better way to train care staff in dealing with customers with cognitive impairment. The solution developed with the support of Demand Acceleration became a new VR service, where staff can experience everyday life from the customers’ perspective in a number of scenarios.
Virotea was the company that developed the final solution, and their service “Virotea ED” now has 26 organisations as paying customers, both in private and public care. In the last year alone, the customer base has doubled and the service has also reached beyond Sweden’s borders, having recently been procured by the City of Mariehamn in Åland.
“When you develop a new theory to drive procurement, you are happy if it can be tested in practice at all. The fact that the first solution created through a Demand-Acceleration procurement has already reached this many customers is a fantastic result”, says Jonas Matthing, Executive Director of DigitalWell Arena.
In 2024, the Demand Acceleration framework has been applied in three additional procurements, both within and outside the health sector:
Almost as important as the completed procurements are the market dialogues Demand Acceleration contributes to through so-called RFI (Request For Information). One example is the Karolinska University Hospital’s Solution Enabler Programme, where an RFI has served as a tool for identifying companies with new approaches to developing hospital-connected advanced paediatric care at home.
“An RFI is an important interface where the public sector can communicate its needs. It creates broader contact areas for development projects, where more companies can participate and make proposals to realise the public sector’s perceived needs. It provides a common learning that increases the opportunities for good, public business and lays the foundation for implementation,” says Jonas Matthing.
Meanwhile, the Demand Acceleration community continues to grow and now includes 120 participants in more than a handful of countries, many with key roles in innovation and procurement.
The development of the community, and the common resources that facilitate shared learning (including manuals, reports and articles) has been inspired by research on both commons and innovation commons.
Interest in the Demand Acceleration framework also remains strong internationally. Mainly within UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe), where DigitalWell Arena is leading a workstream on innovation procurement involving experts from Spain, Georgia and the European Commission, among others.
The interaction between innovative companies and the public sector has become a key thematic issue for health innovation. In 2024, important steps were taken to further improve this interaction – with the DigitalWell Arena ecosystem becoming something of a national model.
Several important pieces have fallen into place within the startup ecosystem of the Arena. In close collaboration with DigitalWell Ventures, an increasingly strong knowledge niche is being built to support public business.
As early as 2023, a joint feasibility study (the ACCESS project) highlighted a knowledge gap within the incubator system to meet the demands of the public sector. Within the initiative, we have since worked to improve the conditions, tools and methods for business advisors within the Swedish incubator system. The aim is to support start-ups in helping to solve public sector needs by applying new technologies, while giving innovative companies leverage for growth.
This work has given rise to several exciting initiatives in 2024. One example is a handbook, aimed at both companies and business developers, on the public sector as a strategic market for startups. The handbook and other relevant knowledge also form the basis of an AI-based tool to support companies and business advisers.
“Developing companies and business advisors around the specifics of public sector business is an important kit for DigitalWell Arena. It complements other key issues we are pursuing and counteracts system lock-ins. By honing skills also on the supply side, DigitalWell Ventures is setting an important strategic direction for its incubator activities”, says Jonas Matthing.
In addition to a clearer strategic focus, there were several other pleasing milestones to look back on during the year:
Through these initiatives, DigitalWell Arena continues to build bridges between innovative companies and the public sector, and create better conditions for future health innovations!
An interdisciplinary approach is increasingly characterising research at DigitalWell Arena. Karlstad University speaks of a paradigm shift, where external requests and collaborations increasingly influence the direction of research.
A key part of this development is the “Arena Project”, in which six research groups at Karlstad University are collaborating to drive innovation in the field of health. The initiative, which started in 2021, has now begun to produce clear results and is also creating new opportunities for collaboration with industry and the public sector.
One high-profile example is the international 6G-path project, involving researchers from Computer Science and Nursing at Karlstad University. The test environment created in Karlstad will allow students to participate in different medical scenarios remotely via VR. The project aims to use new solutions in mobile communication (5G/6G) to improve students’ training through more realistic scenarios.
The study has been included in the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences’ top 100 list for 2024, which includes another research project from Karlstad University with a clear health link: the SWEA tool, which uses advanced data analysis to identify stress factors to create a healthier work environment.
Within DigitalWell Arena, several initiatives linked to data and digital technology are being run in collaboration between research, business and the public sector. Examples include children’s and young people’s mental health, dementia, the transition of social services and security in society.
According to Erik Wästlund, coordinator of the research groups at Karlstad University, this is, in a way, a paradigm shift, where external organisations’ requests influence the direction of research to a greater extent than before.
One clear example is the “Child and Youth Journey” project, where researchers from Karlstad University, in collaboration with several municipalities in Värmland, are working on how AI can support efforts to identify young people at risk of mental illness earlier.
A related project for 2025 focuses on how children of parents with psychiatric conditions can be supported via mobile apps. These children are entitled to preventive interventions to reduce the risk of developing their own mental health and socio-economic problems. The project involves BRIS and the organisation Maskrosbarn, among others.
Increased understanding of the individual is also a recurring theme in several studies. In this genre, researchers from the Centre for Services Research (CTF) and the Centre for Gender Research want to analyse the promises often associated with new technological solutions.
A central issue is to gain a better understanding of the concept of independence, which is often mentioned when implementing technology in elderly care. Among other things, by relating the concept to the experience of vulnerability, taking into account factors such as age, gender and socio-economic status.
“Independence and security are core values in the digitalisation of healthcare. Despite this, there is no standardised way to measure individuals’ perceived independence. Current methods focus only on physical and cognitive capabilities, such as dressing or cooking. But digital tools can offer so much more, such as giving people a sense of control over their lives,” says Charlotte Bäccman, senior lecturer in psychology and researcher at CTF.
Jonas Matthing, Executive Director of DigitalWell Arena, has a 25-year background in research on digitalisation. He believes that how digital solutions are perceived by the individual will be a key issue for the reform of good and close care, as well as the implementation of person-centredness:
“Given the demographic challenges we face, technological solutions in health and social care are both a necessity and an opportunity. Therefore, research on the qualitative aspects of technology is very important.”
In total, more than 30 incubators have qualified for the national incubator programme for the period 2025 to 2029, of which DigitalWell Ventures is the only one in Värmland.
Vinnova’s decision was preceded by a thorough quality review of DigitalWell Ventures’ processes, network and results. The quality of the companies the incubator supports is also a key factor.
– It feels fantastic to get this quality stamp. It’s a cool context to be part of Sweden’s 30 best tech incubators. It also means that in the long term we can support even more innovators and entrepreneurs who address our major societal challenges, such as how we will cope with future welfare with reduced resources,” says Stefan Skoglund, CEO of DigitalWell Ventures.
DigitalWell Ventures was founded in 2021 as part of DigitalWell Arena. Since the start, around 70 companies have gone through the company’s incubation and acceleration programme. The business has since been transferred to the Inova Foundation in Värmland, to create better conditions and avoid a conflict of interest by representing individual companies.
Stefan Skoglund sees several key factors in DigitalWell Ventures being able to establish itself so quickly and achieve both national and international interest. Two of these are Region Värmland’s strategy for smart specialisation, with digital health innovation as a priority area, and the collaboration with DigitalWell Arena.
– Despite being a relatively new incubator, we have built up expertise that attracts companies, mentors, investors and resources from all over the country. These resources can now be made available to more people.
At the same time, Stefan Skoglund emphasises that it is not just about the results for the companies in the incubator:
– We also support and develop the innovative power of entrepreneurs, and you have to be humble about the fact that sometimes things take time. The knowledge, networks and entrepreneurial skills they gain through the incubator can make the next idea really take off, creating the conditions for long-term regional growth.
Such a piece of the puzzle was laid early on in the incubator and remains an important foundation for the organisation. In the innovation council, early validation of start-up ideas is carried out by representatives from Karlstad Municipality, Region Värmland, Karlstad University and DigitalWell Arena. Since its inception, more than 400 ideas and companies have been evaluated and given advice and support.
Over time, the incubator has specialised in supporting companies in doing business with the public sector and contributing to societal change. For example, when it comes to solutions aimed at the health sector, knowledge of both procurement and regulatory requirements is crucial to meeting customer needs.
Increasing interaction between the public sector and innovative companies is also a high priority for DigitalWell Arena. That’s why Jonas Matthing, Executive Director, is delighted with the incubator’s success and long-term funding.
– They are an important partner, as we closely follow innovative companies and the new solutions that tech can bring. For example, when it comes to managing health data that provides opportunities for better care with AI. To meet the societal challenges we face in terms of health, the public sector is looking for new solutions that can both maintain and develop welfare.
Vi använder cookies för att förbättra din användarupplevelse och för att samla in information om ditt besök hos oss. Läs mer
Cookies sparar information om hur du använder webbplatsen, data som kan återanvändas. Läs mer
Nödvändiga för att hemsidan ska fungera.
Läs mer
Dessa cookies är nödvändiga för att webbplatsen ska fungera och kan inte stängas av i våra system. De används till exempel när du ställer in personliga preferenser. Du kan ställa in så att din webbläsare blockerar eller varnar dig om dessa cookies, men vissa delar av webbplatsen fungerar inte då.
close-cookie-bar
wants-ec-cookies
wants-fc-cookies
wants-mc-cookies
wants-ac-cookies
Mäter användarmönster och skapar statistik.
Dessa cookies används för att samla in besöksstatistik på vår hemsida. Statistiken använder vi till exempel för att se vilka sidor som är populära, och vilka som verkar vara svåra att hitta.
_ga_4XLZVZHWCP
_ga
_gid
