Dalarna Innovation Days Challenge
Do you have a solution to the energy challenges of the future?
How can we use energy more intelligently, reduce energy consumption, and create a more sustainable and resilient energy system? The Dalarna Innovation Days Challenge is looking for individuals, teams, companies, and organizations that have identified an energy challenge and want to develop a potential solution. This could be a new product, service, technology, method, or business model.
You don't need to have a ready-made solution or know exactly how it should work. The important thing is that you have seen a problem or an opportunity, have an idea of how it can be met, want to investigate whether the solution can create real benefit and drive the process forward.
You can win up to 15,000 SEK in scholarships and receive professional business development support to test, develop and take the solution further.
The competition is organized by Dalarna Science Park through the GränsENERGI project. The prize money is provided by the Dalarna Savings Bank Foundation.
The competition runs between October 20 – November 22, 2026.
What solutions are we looking for?
We are looking for new solutions that can help to:
- reduce or streamline energy use
- produce, share, store or recycle energy in new ways
- manage power peaks and capacity shortages in the electricity grid
- develop local energy communities
- use data and smart control to optimize energy flows
- strengthen the energy supply of people, companies and society
- create new sustainable and scalable business models in the energy sector
The solution doesn't have to be finished. It can be in the idea stage, an early concept, or already tested on a small scale.
We are primarily looking for individuals and teams who want to drive the solution forward themselves. Companies and organizations can also participate with solutions that create benefit in their own operations and have the potential to be used by more people.
How the jury will assess your idea
How innovative is the idea?
The jury evaluates how clearly the participant describes the problem or opportunity, who is affected, and why it is relevant to develop a new solution. The jury also evaluates whether the solution offers a new approach, combines existing solutions in a new way, or represents a clear improvement over what is currently available.
What benefits does this idea provide?
The jury evaluates the benefits that the proposed solution can provide to customers, users, businesses, society, or the energy system. It assesses the value and benefits that a customer, user, or patient can derive from the product or service to improve people’s health and care. How does the idea create value for the user/customer? Does the idea address current or future needs in society?
Does the idea have the potential to be implemented and grow?
The jury assesses whether the solution has the potential to be developed, tested, and reach more users or markets. The idea proposer’s or organization’s willingness and ability to continue the work on their own are also taken into account.
How does this idea contribute to a sustainable energy system?
The jury evaluates the solution’s potential environmental, social, and economic impacts, such as reduced climate impact, more efficient use of resources, increased resilience, or new sustainable business opportunities.
How to compete
This year's competition runs between October 20 - November 22, 2026.
You can prepare your competition entry by downloading our idea description template.
Frequently asked questions and answers about Dalarna Innovation Days Challenge
When does the competition take place?
The contest runs from October 20 to November 22, 2026. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m.
Who can compete?
The competition is open to individuals, teams, companies, and organizations. You must be at least 18 years old and live or work in Dalarna, Värmland, or inland Norway. Companies and organizations may participate with solutions that have the potential to be used beyond their own operations.
How do I submit my idea?
Please fill out and submit the contest entry form on this page. You can prepare your entry using our idea description template.
Is there any risk of someone stealing my idea?
No, you don't. Your idea is safe with us. The people handling and assessing your idea are bound by confidentiality agreements.
What happens after I submit my contribution?
You will receive a confirmation once your entry has been registered. The jury will then evaluate all eligible entries. All participants will be contacted once the evaluation is complete. The winners will be announced during Dalarna Talks in December. After the competition, we will follow up on the entries and offer relevant support for each idea.
Can I submit multiple entries?
All contestants may submit one or more entries.
Do I need to have a business?
No. You can participate as an individual and do not need to have started a business or developed a finished solution.
What is my chance to win?
Three winners will receive business development support from Dalarna Science Park. The first- and second-place winners will also receive grants to be used to develop their ideas.
- 1st prize: 25 hours of business development and a 15,000 SEK scholarship
- 2nd prize: 20 hours of business consulting and a 5,000 SEK scholarship
- 3rd prize: 15 hours of business development
Profit shall begin from the time the winning entry is presented and for up to 6 months thereafter.
What does it take to win the competition?
The idea is assessed according to the evaluation criteria. You can find them above.
Will the competition entry be shown to others?
The information you provide us with will be processed in accordance with the instructions on the form. If you win, your idea may be publicized through digital channels and news media. Everything will be done in consultation with you.
Will my idea be displayed publicly?
Contest entries will not be published without your approval. Winning ideas may be featured in digital channels and news media, always in consultation with the person who submitted the idea.
Dalarna Innovation Days Challenge
The Dalarna Innovation Days Challenge will capture new solutions to current energy challenges and provide participants with support to research, test and develop them further.
Through the competition, Dalarna Science Park and GränsENERGI want to create a place where people, companies, academia and other stakeholders can meet around common challenges. Promising solutions can receive continued support after the competition through Dalarna Science Park, GränsENERGI or other relevant stakeholders.
