Information Systems at Mid Sweden University is a fast growing research environment. In a few years, it has transformed from being much focused on under-graduate education to aiming for international research excellence in some areas today. Building on four central key concepts (information, systems, design and social scientific methodology) that form the shared basis in which we find synergy, we have chosen to work in four autonomous research groups (Criinfo, Cedif, Cridit, Cie), each lead by a research leader. This has been important in the start-up phase since we are resident in two regional areas and Mid Sweden University also has a long tradition of working closely with regional society to guarantee a practice-based research focus and generating productive cooperation between academia and surrounding society (not only regarding funding but also concerning gathering empirical material and innovation). However, we are now in a situation where we have created the critical mass required (research staff, knowledge-base, funding, PhD-training etc.) to take the next step.