Entrepreneurs develop networks of people to whom they turn for help and advice. Given the importance of new and successful firms to the economic development of peripheral regions, a study has been carried out of the networks of 31 small and medium sized manufacturing firms in the north of Sweden. The value of the managers of these firms in regard to markttingand product development lay in the know-how obtained. The contacts were in firms already having a business link. Most were in the same county but those considered of highest value pay outside it.