Tapojärvi’s development team gathered at the headquarters in Tornio to shortlist the most promising innovations from the Innovation Challenge.
The innovation contest’s partner, EIT RawMaterials, conducted an initial shortlisting of the 37 applications submitted to the Tapojärvi Innovation Challenge. Applications came from Europe, North America, and Africa.
From this selection, 18 teams moved forward, and Tapojärvi’s development team reviewed their ideas.
— This year’s ideas are bolder than in previous years. Novelty stands out as a common feature in the proposals, says Tapojärvi Oy’s Chief Innovation Officer Seppo Ahola.
The development team evaluated the idea proposals and selected those advancing to the next round.
— Four criteria were used in the evaluation: feasibility, novelty, business potential and profitability, and environmental considerations. Each idea was scored based on these, and the top-scoring ones moved forward, Ahola explains.
Eight teams were selected for the next phase of the competition: the online pitch.
— All teams will receive feedback on their ideas. Those moving forward will also receive clarifying questions to help them better prepare for the pitch, Ahola adds.
EIT RawMaterials will also host a webinar for the advancing teams, offering guidance and pitching tips.
The pitch will be held at the end of May, after which the finalists will be chosen. The competition will culminate on October 27, when the finalists will gather at the SnowCastle in Kemi to present their ideas to a live audience and jury.
