A tailor-made program was developed for SEB to support SMEs in building confidence with co-creation within an open innovation environment. The program facilitated new joint business ventures between 2 to 4 companies, using various innovation frameworks and service design tools to ensure a fresh experience even for seasoned participants. Colleagues from Digitalist Finland and Katalista Ventures were brought in to co-facilitate and add diverse perspectives.
The program was delivered across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It consisted of an introductory Innovation Day with industry-leading guest speakers, followed by five modules covering co-creation, user-driven innovation, conceptualization and sustainable business models, market experiments, and a final pitch day to a professional jury.
The results were concrete. The 2023 and 2024 editions attracted a record number of applicants. Several joint ventures were launched immediately after the program concluded. Strong cross-industry partnerships were established as a direct outcome.
The results were concrete. The 2023 and 2024 editions attracted a record number of applicants. Several joint ventures were launched immediately after the program concluded. Strong cross-industry partnerships were established as a direct outcome.
The SEB Growth Program is highly valued by companies because it provides them with new knowledge, contacts, and business opportunities to bring their world-changing businessideas to real execution. As a bank, it is important for us to support innovation and connect companies with various profiles but similar ambitions, who, by combining their years of knowledge and experience, could create new competitive businesses for the future.Anette Ustal; Innovation Lead