Nordic Independent Living Challenge

Competition

The five Nordic capitals have created the Nordic Independent Living Challenge in collaboration with Nordic Innovation. By launching this competition together, we want to boost innovation and collaboration in the welfare technology industry – and create a joint Nordic market.

The Nordic Independent Living Challenge is open for everyone in the Nordic region – from established welfare solution providers to students and startups. We also encourage elderly and disabled with an innovative spirit to sign up. Here is some reasons for why you should join:

1. You will get the possibility to introduce your solution to a growing Nordic market and to collaborate with the capital cities.
2. You will get help turning your ideas into real products and testing them with real users.
3. You will get a chance to meet and network with fellow Nordic colleagues in the field.

Prize

The main prize is 1 million NOK. In addition, there is a 200.000 NOK cross-Nordic collaboration award and a 100.000 NOK student award.

The competition runs in four stages:

THE LAUNCH

The first part of the competition is an open idea contest for everyone in the Nordic region. You are asked to submit a short description of your proposal (max 1.500 characters including spaces).

The registration is open until 15 March 2015.

A good idea is simply all it takes!

THE MATCHMAKING

Out of all proposals, we will select up to 75 participants to take part in a Nordic Matchmaking Event in Copenhagen the 4th and 5th of May 2015. Here you will get some tools to further develop your idea by digging deeper into specific user needs and the design and usability of your solution. You will also get the opportunity to interact and team up with other applicants from across the Nordic region. Collaboration on a Nordic level is not a requirement for participation in later stages of the competition, but this will be rewarded.

THE DEVELOPMENT

After the Nordic Matchmaking Event, participants will be invited to submit a new application. This is mandatory in order to participate in the later stages of the competition. New people can be added to the team, but at least one partner that has been part of the competition from the start must be included. Out of these applications, up to 25 proposals will be invited to the next stage of the competition – and receive mentoring and support to develop the concepts further, including business plans and preparation for testing on real users.

THE TESTING

5 finalists will be able to test their solution in the Nordic capitals. They will be asked to make a plan for implementation and the estimated impact on end users. The finalists will receive financial support of 300.000 NOK to cover expenses. Finally, 1 winner will receive the main prize of 1 million NOK. In addition, there will be a 200.000 NOK cross-Nordic collaboration award and a 100.000 NOK student award.