Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association and VTT together with FinnCERES and Kiuas proudly launch ForestBioPitch competition to boost forest-based bioeconomy research.
Forest-based bioeconomy and new research findings offer solutions to major global challenges, such as climate change. They also pose a huge business potential. We want to help researchers working in this field to evaluate the business potential of their research ideas and accelerate them into significant commercialisation possibilities. The competition offers an excellent opportunity also for entrepreneurial partners to get to know world-changing solutions with bio-based materials and accelerating new business development.
Why participate?
We offer you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn your research into business idea through a curated Lab-to-Business Idea program during 2021. With this program Kiuas' community will not only help you to form a core team around the idea but also teach you the essentials of founding a startup and provide 1-on-1 coaching and mentoring.
We are organizing a pitching event on 16th November 2021, where you will get to showcase your progress. The best three ideas will be rewarded with monetary prizes sponsored by Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association and the Pulpaper Award by the Finnish Fair Foundation.
Awards:
#1: 5 000 euros + access to the Kiuas’ start up community
#2: 3 000 euros
#3: 2 000 euros
Who can participate?
All researchers working around forest-based bioeconomy in Finland are welcome to join the competition. PhD students and recently graduated post-docs working on bio-based material development are especially encouraged to apply. You can join as an individual, or you can team up with one of your colleagues.
How to apply?
Apply as soon as possible or at the latest on Monday 7th June 2021 via this link. Include a short description of your research idea in pdf or video format in your application. Max. length for the pdf-document is two pages and for video 1.5 minutes. The description can be also be in Finnish, although the competition itself will be run fully in English.
Good luck & looking forward to hearing your brilliant ideas!
For more information contact:
Alina Ruonala-Lindgren, VTT
alina.ruonala-lindgren@vtt.fi
+358 40 045 4241
Antti Lindqvist, Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association
antti.lindqvist@puunjalostusinsinoorit.fi
+358 40 725 2543
