Karlstad, 5 November 2026. Some relationships cannot be built on a video call. That is why Omaia's co-founders, CEO Nina Larsen and CTO Samuel Danielsson, travelled to Karlstad together for DHINO's needs and innovation conference.
DHINO – Digital Health Innovation is a collaboration between Karlstad University and Region Värmland. It brings research teams, healthcare and companies together to develop the next generation of digital health. Omaia was one of only two startups invited to take part.
From research to real support
Together with researchers from Karlstad University, Nina and Samuel presented our collaboration and the Triple Helix project, Co-creating a resilient digital portal for perinatal mental health. Vinnova funds it with SEK 2 million, awarded in competition, over 24 months from 2 November 2026.
Our talk, "Support between visits", started from the need. Care follows the body closely, but families often carry their worries alone between visits, and many already fill that gap with ChatGPT and search engines, with no link to care. Around one in ten pregnant women and partners experience mental ill-health.
Omaia offers everyday support for common worries, for both parents: self-guided exercises built on CBT and ACT, developed with midwives and psychologists. Omaia does not diagnose, does not treat and does not replace the midwife.
"Research only creates value when it reaches the people who need it. DHINO is exactly where that happens: researchers, care and companies in one room."
Three questions to the room
In the group discussion we asked:
- Where does worry arise between visits in your daily work, and who catches it today?
- What would care benefit from learning from a digital support, and what do you not want to receive?
- How do we reach those furthest from support: in rural areas, in another language, the partner?
The discussion gave us good input and many new relationships, including organisations where we could pilot Omaia Sense and Omaia Workplace. The rest of the day was filled with innovation and practical how-to dialogue, much of it on AI and its applied use, including Anna Nordin's digital projects and Johanna Svärd's work.
Triple Helix in practice
Academia, the public sector and industry each bring something the others cannot. Karlstad University brings research. Region Värmland brings care and the people it serves. Omaia brings product, technology and speed. Our biggest learning: relationships are personal. Meeting municipalities and the region in person is what turns a good idea into a pilot.
We want to thank our Triple Helix study team who make this possible: Charlotte Bäccman, Anna Nordin, Karin Ängeby, Leonardo Iwaya and Samuel Wairimu at Karlstad University. Thank you also to Erik Wästlund and the DHINO organisers for hosting the day.
DigitalWell Ventures
A special thank you to Stefan Skoglund, CEO, and Lise Bergqvist, Startup Advisor, of DigitalWell Ventures. Their support connects startups like Omaia with the Värmland health innovation ecosystem, and their time in Karlstad helped us sharpen how we grow from here.
A co-founder trip
Karlstad follows the round table with care, research and users at Centralsjukhuset Karlstad (CSK) on 8 September, and a trip to the UK that Nina and Samuel have made together as co-founders.
"Building the platform and building the partnerships are one job. Being here together lets us connect what researchers need with what we build."
Triple Helix · Vinnova
Four partners. One need, owned by care.
Coordinator, need owner
Region Värmland
Leads research
Karlstad University
Digital platform
Omaia AB
Responsible AI
Chalmers Industriteknik
Roadmap
Round table at CSK
done
Vinnova grant
done
Project start, ethical review
now
Studies
Final report
What comes next
We will keep sharing each Triple Helix milestone as it happens: studies planned, started and completed, and the solution we co-create with care in Värmland.
Want to collaborate on research or pilot Omaia? Contact us
SEK 2 million from Vinnova, in competition
