Dalarna Innovation Days Challenge
Do you have an idea for the energy of the future?
How can we use, produce, and share energy in smarter ways? How can we reduce energy consumption, ease the strain on the power grid, and create a more sustainable and resilient energy system—together?
The Dalarna Innovation Days Challenge is looking for individuals, teams, companies, and organizations with ideas that can contribute to the energy solutions of the future. We welcome new products, services, technologies, methods, and business models that help people, businesses, and local communities use energy more efficiently and derive greater benefit from the energy that is already available.
We particularly welcome ideas that enable local energy sharing and collaboration among, for example, residents, businesses, property owners, public sector entities, and energy companies. This could involve sharing electricity, heat, storage, data, flexibility, or other energy resources.
You don't need to have a ready-made solution or know exactly how it will work. What's important is that you've identified a problem or an opportunity, have an idea of how to address it, and want to explore whether the solution can create real value.
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 as part of the GränsENERGI project. The prize money is provided by Sparbanksstiftelsen Dalarna.
The contest runs from October 20 to November 22, 2026
What solutions are we looking for?
We are looking for ideas and solutions that can contribute to a smarter, more local, and more sustainable energy system. These could include, for example:
- create local energy sharing and collaboration among various stakeholders
- reduce or streamline energy use
- produce, store, recycle, or share energy in new ways
- use surplus energy, such as residual heat, where it is useful
- manage power peaks, capacity shortages, and fluctuating energy demand
- develop smart control systems, digital services, and data that optimize energy flows
- strengthen local preparedness, resilience, and self-sufficiency in the energy system
- create sustainable and scalable business models that make the energy transition possible for more people
The solution doesn't have to be fully developed. It can be an early idea, a concept, or a solution that has already been tested on a small scale.
Above all, we are looking for individuals and teams who want to take the idea forward on their own. Companies and organizations are also welcome to participate with solutions that benefit their own operations and can be of use to others.
Dalarna Innovation Challenge 2026
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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. 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.
