What happens when 30 university students are given 24 hours to come up with ideas? Can they help a global energy company solve a huge challenge?
- Regardless of how it goes, the Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge is a win-win for all parties," says Angelica Ekholm, CEO of Dalarna Science Park.
The idea competition Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge, with the subtitle "Ideas for a brighter future", is held February 10-11 in Borlänge. It is organized by Dalarna Science Park and Dalarna University and this year's edition is the very first. The idea is that it will be followed by several, at least one per year, where the focus is to help Dalarna companies on issues that are important to them.
- We know that this kind of focused idea marathon can produce both smart and unexpected solutions, so this will be really exciting," says Angelica Ekholm.
Carin Nordström, Senior Lecturer in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship at Dalarna University, is also looking forward to the Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge.
- It's a great opportunity for students to sharpen their creativity, interact and meet other students from different programs and see how their skills can be combined to solve a problem. This year's client, Hitachi Energy, will receive many different creative solutions," says Carin.
Intensive 24 hours
The competition will kick off at lunchtime on Friday, February 10 with a presentation of this year's challenge - a topical issue where technology giant Hitachi Energy is hoping for students' help.
- Research and innovation are in our DNA and we always strive to be at the forefront of technological development. To continue to be successful, we need to think outside the box and here we know that diversity of thought is one of the key ingredients. I am really looking forward to what the students will come up with in this challenge. With the large recruitment needs we have ahead, with about 1000 people this year, we also see the opportunity to make Hitachi Energy visible to more students, says Tobias Hansson, CEO, Hitachi Energy in Sweden.
Students will be divided into smaller groups. The aim is to create groups with mixed competences based on the students' main subjects. In addition to working on the challenge in groups, students will also participate in workshops and learn more about creativity and design.
One of those on hand to support the students is Brita Klingberg, business coach at Dalarna Science Park. She believes it will be an intense and fun day.
- Given the competition, no one will want to sleep, so there will probably be a lot of coffee and sweets, Brita guesses.
After a long and restful night, the groups will then present their ideas to a competition jury and at lunchtime the whole thing will end with the award ceremony.
Thinking together
Dalarna is an innovative region with world-leading players in climate-smart energy systems - an area of strength that we will continue to develop, according to Dalarna's regional development strategy. The fact that Dalarna Science Park and Dalarna University are now expanding their collaboration may be significant for the pace of that development, Angelica Ekholm believes.
- More people need to meet and think together to come up with ideas that contribute to a sustainable future and strong companies. We hope that the Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge 2023 will give Hitachi applicable ideas, but we also hope to inspire new initiatives, Dalarna needs that. We must dare to think in new ways to create more ideas for a brighter future!
FACTS - Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge
Concept: An idea competition where university students are given 24 hours to find solutions to a concrete challenge, presented by a company or organization. The competition will be held annually, starting in 2023.
Objective: Generate new ideas that contribute to sustainable development in Dalarna and increase interest in innovation, energy and technology.
Content: Workshops, brainstorming, presentation and award ceremony.
Event: Dalarna Science Park and Dalarna University.
