The overall goal is that the project will lead to a long-term improvement in innovation, competitiveness and productivity of small and medium-sized companies through strategic knowledge exchange and competence supply at an academic level. The goal of the project is to in collaboration between academia and other actors in the region’s innovation system increase the competitiveness of small and medium-sized companies by establishing a KTP model for qualified skills supply and knowledge exchange where KTP academics in selected companies implement strategically important development projects, such as the development of new markets, products, services and processes. To achieve the project goal, a number of sub-goals have been set that must be achieved by the end of the project: “Every participating company should feel that with the help of the KTP system they have received a competence supplement that has concretely contributed to a development that strengthens the company’s competitiveness. — At least 70 % of KTP academies will be offered continued work in some form, such as permanent employment, co-ownership or assignments as self-employed persons. — Have developed KTP to become a long-term sustainable concept as a natural part of the innovation system of the regions (Dalarna and Gävleborg). Here, the focus will be that the regional system that is being developed will also provide a basis for continued expansion to other regions in and outside Sweden. — Among stakeholders at both regional and national levels increase knowledge about the KTP system. Working methods The core is a number of company-based development projects that are strategically important for companies and where sufficient knowledge is lacking. This may involve, for example, market, product or process development. The companies must be active in the designated areas of strength of the region. For 1-2 years, companies will have access to a newly graduated KTP academic (or doctoral student) who will get a project employment at the university but with a position at the company. Companies pay half their pay. A qualified supervisor from the university and lab resources are linked to the KTP academic/company. For the business development of the KTP project, a qualified business coach is also involved. The implementation takes place in collaboration with other actors such as clusters and incubators. KTP process in general: 1. Identify companies with strategic development needs in the region 2. Analysis & Selection, through a deep analysis model of TBN type and selected selection group 3. Matching/rigging the needs of companies against the competencies of academics. 4. Recruitment of KTP academics takes place on a national basis in 5. Implementation of the development project in 1-2 in 6. Completion/implementation The project will also work to further develop models, long-term operations and benchmarking activities. The starting point for the project is the development needs of participating companies in the designated areas of strength and the implementation is based on very active efforts from the companies. After the project period, participating companies are expected to have received concrete support to implement strategically important development efforts, but also support in their skills supply through the fact that most academics have been offered continued work in some form. Collaboration between higher education institutions – the business community has increased and resulted in a boost of competence among companies and also at the university that has gained a clearer role in innovation work. The project has helped to develop innovations and strengthen companies’ competitiveness in prioritised areas. In the long term, KTP is expected to be a long-term sustainable concept and that it creates benefits for all three involved parties, academics, companies and higher education institutions. About 70 % of participating academics get work. The participating companies have increased their investments in research/development and equipment/machines, gross profits have increased through new products/services and operations and employees have gained skills development. Higher education institutions have also developed their skills and ways of working while maintaining collaboration with the companies.