Swedish–Australian Sustainable Innovation, Technology & Design Summit 2025
Sweden has established itself as a global leader in innovation, driven by robust R&D investment and strong political commitment. The country actively fosters a forward-thinking environment, with a clear focus on innovation aimed at achieving a sustainable future.
Through this Summit, the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce (SACC), in partnership with the University of Melbourne, Team Sweden (the Embassy of Sweden and Business Sweden) and participating companies, provided a dynamic platform to highlight sustainable innovation, advanced technology and design. The Summit showcased key initiatives, successful cross-border collaborations, knowledge exchange and pioneering R&D efforts between Sweden and Australia.
The Summit aimed to strengthen collaboration between industry and academia, encouraging future initiatives in areas such as R&D, sustainable innovation, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and design. By bringing together key stakeholders from business, academia and government at local, national and bilateral levels, the event fostered meaningful connections and inspired new opportunities for innovation and growth.
Over two days – 18 and 19 September 2025 – academics, students, government representatives, business leaders and innovators from a range of industries gathered for the Swedish Australian Sustainable Innovation, Technology and Design Summit.
The purpose of the Summit was to highlight Swedish innovation, technology, design and sustainability initiatives, present examples of key innovation breakthroughs and feature successful Swedish–Australian collaboration and knowledge exchange, R&D and creative business development between Sweden and Australia. Together with partners, SACC provided a platform to connect industries with relevant stakeholders across the corporate sector, government, academia and the research and development community. Through the Summit, SACC raised awareness about Sweden’s contribution to economic and technological development in Australia and initiated new opportunities for collaboration within technology, design and sustainability to stimulate innovation and growth and support a high-quality R&D ecosystem.
Together with co-hosts, the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Connect, the Summit offered presentations and panel discussions that delivered in-depth knowledge on a range of engaging topics, providing the audience with perspectives that were informative, forward-looking and educational.
Official dignitaries attended, including the Ambassador of Sweden to Australia, representatives from the Victorian Government, and senior leaders from the University of Melbourne.
The common thread throughout the Summit was sustainable innovation, technology, AI, design and development – and the importance of collaboration between government, academia and industry.
Event Focus
- Showcase Swedish-Australian sustainable innovation, technology and design. Present examples of key initiatives, successful cooperation, knowledge exchange, R&D and creative business development.
- Strengthen industry-academia collaboration and partnerships to support R&D, innovation, sustainability, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
- Facilitate collaboration between Swedish and Australian industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and researchers. Identify new areas of collaboration and open doors to future initiatives in sustainable innovation, design, technology, AI and R&D.
Partner Opportunities
- Companies and organisations to take part as summit partners with the opportunity to present innovation and tech highlights and successful cooperation initiatives.
- Participate in thought leadership talks and thought-provoking panel conversations to share expertise and spark new ideas.
- Offer demonstrations and informative topic presentations to students, visitors, business contacts, special guests and clients.
- Gain extra exposure by becoming a main sponsor for a business lunch or evening event.
Audience
The Summit attracted representatives from industry sectors, academia, universities, government and research organisations, as well as students and professionals from both Sweden and Australia.
Venue
The Summit was held in partnership with the University of Melbourne at Melbourne Connect — the University’s purpose-built, state-of-the-art innovation precinct in the heart of Melbourne. This unique venue brought together industry, research, academia and startups in one collaborative space designed to shape the future.
Visit https://melbconnect.com.au/about or watch the short video to learn more about Melbourne Connect.
Please contact us at sacc@swedishchamber.com.au for more details.
2022 Innovation Summit in Sydney – Visuals and Summary
