Zeynep Erdal 花海韵

Head of Innovation District | CEO | Board Executive | Investor | Public Speaker | Author | Award winning leader shaping the future

Sweden

About

Currently Head of Helsingborg Innovation District, where I work with leaders across sectors - municipality, region, university and industry - to design, govern and scale innovation ecosystems focused on sustainability, technology and global competitiveness. My background combines hands-on company and organization building - as a founder in Norway with senior leadership and advisory roles in complex public–private environments: bridging city and university strategy in Malmö, coordinating policy work at a UNDP center in Istanbul, researching Chinese investment in Africa as faculty in Shanghai, and currently advising Sweden's national accreditation body, Swedac. I am driven by long-term value creation, systemic transformation, and the role leadership plays in shaping future-ready organizations and societies.

Experience

  • Head of Helsingborg Innovation District at Helsingborg Innovation District
    Aug 2023 - Present · 3 yrs

    Founder and Head of Helsingborg Innovation District, located in one of the most innovative regions in the world, bridging academia, public sector, and private sector in one platform and geographical area to further unlock innovation. The innovation district is initiated by the City of Helsingborg, Lund University, Region Skåne and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Southern Sweden. Building strategic partnershp, - Launched Helsingborg Tech Week 2025 (1600 attendees, 5 days, 5 stages) - Established the first innovation district in Sweden - Public speaker and thought leader on Innovation districts - First innovation district in Sweden to become a member of Swedish Incubators and Science Parks

  • Member of the National Digitalization Board at SWEDAC
    Feb 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    SWEDAC - Swedish Board for Accreditation and Technical Controls

  • Founder | Partner | Executive roles at Multiple Companies
    Jun 2015 - Present · 11 yrs 2 mos

  • Founder & CEO at Wovid Diaries
    Sep 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 11 mos

    Wovid Diaries (Women’s COVID Diaries) is a global online platform that widens public understanding of how COVID-19 impacts women globally and brings insights into the spotlight for public debate. Outreach: over 80 countries on all continents Official partner of Hack for Earth Hackathon and part of Dubai Expo 2020 together with the Swedish pavilion and the UN

  • Member of the Executive Board at Skurups folkhögskola
    Apr 2020 - Apr 2025 · 5 yrs 1 mo

    Leading educational institution within Cultural and creative industries