Nordic Creatives launches with the ambition of unifying the Creative Industries in the region
The last couple of 4–5 years we’ve seen a complete transformation of the Nordic startup scene — from having very small local tech communities with no digital presence to a complete digitalization ranging from digital platforms, hashtags and key events, standing bright to tell the unique story of each city, each region and each country. Everybody is driven and on a mission to create a vibrant tech community that will shape the future landscape for entrepreneurship and innovation. Every country has something unique to offer.
This entire technology movement has resulted in amazing initiatives such as #CPHFTW, Techfestival, 657, #STHLMTECH, The Hub, Slush, Innovation Week Norway, TechBBQ, #Malmostartups, Arctic15, The Nordic Web, byFounders, Icelandic Startups, loads of co-working spaces such as Founders House, Maria 01, SUP46, Mesh, The Camp, Matrikel1, Pier47, Rainmaking Loft and a complete ecosystem driven by passionate community builders who want to see our region grow. The community-based movement, #NordicMade, aims to strengthen the cohesion between all these entities as well as promote the region as one united ecosystem!
“We are a grassroots initiative helping to grow the startup community in Malmö and we’ve noticed that the more connected we are to other Nordic initiatives, the better it is for our local startup community. Collaborating across borders helps us attract more foreign capital and talent, and expands the network of local founders, improving knowledge sharing opportunities.”
– Jeremie, Malmö Startups
The shift
Though, in our crazy pursuit of riding the technology wave, we’ve left one major stone unturned. A stone that defines the Creative Industries.
If we take a look at the Creative Industries in the Nordics, we see that their current state is exactly that of the whole tech and startup community 4–5 years ago; fragmented, under-connected, underdeveloped, misaligned on interests and lacking in coordination. The few projects that have happened on a Nordic level are short-term, leaving an underdeveloped Nordic region that lacks a strong “Creative Brand”.
“If our Nordic region is to retain its long-held competitive advantage in creativity, it needs to reposition itself as a knowledge broker and connector for the global Creative Economy. Therefore, the greatest opportunity now lies in presenting the Nordic Region internationally as a Creative Hub of the world.”
– Jasenko, Tame“As a local community initiative for tech startups, we’re focused on helping people get involved with startups in Malmö. The more Nordic initiatives the more support we get in creating more visibility around our local startup scene, attracting foreign investors and making startups aware of the benefits of the our startup scene. Moreover, it helps us grow better as a community, where we get to share challenges and learnings across countries.”
Jeremie, #Malmostartups
The timing is now:
At the moment, the world is turning to the Nordic Region. A pan-Nordic initiative that connect the entire community of creatives would help draw attention to what we have in common: our Nordic perspective, our values and a culture that stems from a shared history.
As Creativity is a key component in the Nordic cultural co-operation, the co-operation will strengthen the Nordic region as an attractive and stimulating place for creators or mediators of art and culture. The interaction between the Nordic and national levels will be strengthened, to maximise impact of Nordic cultural initiatives.
“We consider it a great advantage to create a unified creative “brand” for The Nordics, a brand that shares its relevance with the world. Showing how Nordic thinking has inspired many, showing how Nordic values can work across borders, cultures and generations.”
– Camilla, 657
How will Secret/sauce contribute in creating a more united Nordics within the Creative Industries?
The purpose of the Secret/sauce event is to gather the creators of tomorrow. The project aims to unify the Creative Industries in the Nordics under one brand “Creative Nordics” and facilitate discussions around opportunities, weaknesses and strengths in the Nordic region within Creative Industries, our contribution will lie in the facilitation of business networking, knowledge sharing and cooperation, both cross-country and cross-industry.
Through this cross-pollination we expect innovation to happen both cross- country and cross-industry and as an organisation we can measure that by:
- Building a self-sustaining initiative for the many years to come
- Building trust in the entire Nordic scene within Creative Industry to encourage data-sharing
- Creating reports within the Creative Industry and documenting the effects cross-country and cross-industry
In order to accomplish this goals, Secret/sauce will focus on the following activities:
- Secret/sauce event: an annual forum that will gather the leaders in the Nordics within the Creative, Design and Digital Innovation to promote a stronger regional cooperation, build mutual understanding of the benefits of one common Nordic initiative and unite the industries under one Nordic Brand: “Nordic Creatives”. Here is a throwback to the last event!
- Nordic Creative platform: To promote international awareness of the Nordics as the Creative Powerhub of the World under the Nordic brand: “Nordic Creatives”
- To expand the Secret/sauce forum across the world and support a global community of Nordic Creatives and Entrepreneurs — all of whom are breaking new ground within Art, Culture, Fashion, Digital Innovation, Food, Music, Experiences and much more.
The launch of www.nordiccreatives.co
Today the initiative is launching a digital platform for the Creative Industries in the Nordics called Nordic Creatives (www.nordiccreatives.co) .
The aim of the platform is promote international awareness of the Nordics as the Creative Powerhub of the World under the Nordic brand: “Nordic Creatives”. If you’re organization is missing or if you want to partner up with them and engage, reach out to them on hello@nordiccreatives.co.
This is a guest post by Jasenko Hadzic from Tame. Jasenko is one of the main organizers behind the secret/sauce project and www.nordiccreatives.co together with 657 and Malmö Startups. Get inspired and learn more about the Creative Tech scene in the Nordics, and most importantly, find out how to get involved!
