Just days before the Swedish final of The Creative Business Cup was meant to take place, it became clear that covid-19 had made it unsuitable to host physical events with many participants. In just one day, xPlot and Future by Lund managed to switch to digital channels to ensure the audience could still participate. At that time perhaps only a few suspected that digital events would become the new normal for 2020.
When the Swedish final of the Creative Business Cup was supposed to be held at Stenkrossen on March 12, we had just begun to realize the risks of transmitting the coronavirus. In the days leading up to the event, Lars Mattiasson at xPlot and Future by Lund had noticed that an increasing amount of people were worried about participating on site - and in just one day the group managed to switch to a livestream event. The event was completed with only the own team, the jury and the eight finalists on site instead of the 150 registered participants.
– We see this as the beginning of a new event format, said Lars Mattiasson prior to the final, and it turned out to be true in hindsight. Lars continues: We can bring people from all over the world together - but not everyone needs to be on site. One focus for our event is sustainability, not only from an environmental perspective but also from a human point of view. Since sustainability is also about resilience, such as being flexible and robust, I think we added another dimension to the theme and showcased that we are sustainable in that way as well.
The event was recorded and broadcast live, including via Facebook, which enabled people to experience the final, both immediately and afterwards.
– The fact that the event went digital instead of in front of a live audience actually meant that we reached more people, says Lassa Mattiasson. Of the 150 registered for the event, we now had over 1100 people in the audience.
During 2020 and 2019, many local entrepreneurs participated in the final of The Creative Business Cup, such as Mylla Matmarknad, Snömoln, Be Here Then and Storytourists.
– Arranging the Creative Business Cup in Lund is a way to give it greater local significance and verification - while also facilitating local talent’s visibility in an international arena through digital technology, says Katarina Scott, project developer at Future by Lund. It is interesting that it is possible to be very personal even though it is broadcast via digital channels and this led to meetings with both residents and people with resources and opportunities to help. One conclusion is that digital solutions can be a very good option if you can add the personal aspect and portray local qualities.
The Creative Business Cup is a competition where entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative industries compete with their business idea. Both content and the presentation is judged by a jury. The Swedish final 2020 has been arranged by xPlot in collaboration with Lund Municipality and Future by Lund. The Creative Business Cup event and program were also included as part of the traineeship work within CCSC.
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Translation: Ben Dohrmann
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