Business Generator / Navigator Scale-up

Business Generator as a new model for supporting SMEs was initiated by Anette Rhudin by using results from the researcher Hans Lööf and Börje Johansson. The solution tested departed from the challenge facing SMEs not having enough of external expertis and development support to be able to grow. The model involve the role of the local Bank in supporting with investments when the external expertise is in place. The external expertise always consists of four people, gender balanced, with different skills, networks and competence chosen to match the needs of the specific enterprise. They all give coaching accordingly to a designed plan, meeting 10 times over three years. The focus is on identifying the keys to success for each business. Acting as coaches, they ask the challenging questions that result in new decisions and tangible change. The new model was launched by a regional based Foundation, named Inova and tested through an ERDF-funded project in the region Värmland. The results, consisting of growth for the participating companies, also led to the result that the Business Generator was selected as the most successful project in the European Enterprise Promotion Award 2017. Today the model is used in different adapted forms, by different actors in Sweden, led by Anette Rhudin in the name of Navigator Scaleup. A national steering committe have been established, with actors representing funding agencies, business support, universities, and banks.