IdeaToAction programme - Validation of early hardware ideas - by catalyzing the innovation ecosystem
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Ideaction |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 7 130 000 |
| Project duration | November 2017 - April 2021 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | 2017-02645-en |
| Call | 2017-02724-en |
Important results from the project
The primary goal of the project was to support 130+ private innovators and entrepreneurs to validate their early stage ideas. In order to insure the performance and quality of the project we set sub-goals such as: - Creating a gender equal support. - Addressing the Sustainable Development Goals - Providing hands-on tools to validate ideas and work toward sustainability and circularity. - Setting a new standard for the validation of hardware-enabled ideas. - Establishing the program on the long run.
Expected long term effects
The project supported 135 innovators. In April 2021 40+ of them had started a company and 20+ had launched their product. Some received financial support from Vinnova, banks and investors after the program. The project reached a gender equality rate of 45/55 (45% women - 55% men). The project rose awareness about the SDGs and made participants developing their ideas towards sustainable and circular models. Finally the project has become an ecosystem catalyzer for hardware-enabled early stage ideas and has developed an hands-on approach through rapid prototyping and testing.
Approach and implementation
The project aimed to support innovators in the validation of their idea. To do so we designed a 8 weeks accelerator program providing support in the field of IP, Design, Prototyping, Circularity, Sustainability, etc. During the 3 years period we received 300+ applications and supported 135 individuals spread in 18 batches of 7-8 participants. Coordinating and assessing the project along the way was key to insure and improve the quality. The many expert partners involved tailored their support along the way. ERFA-meetings with Vinnova helped us to reflect and improve the program.