The Nordic Independent Living Challenge invites innovators to develop sustainable solutions for improving the quality of life for the elderly and disabled, facilitating independent living at home. Running from January 2015 to June 2016, the competition offers a main prize of 1 million NOK along with opportunities for mentoring, workshops, and collaboration with Nordic capitals. The initiative aims to enhance innovation in welfare technology while addressing the growing healthcare demands of an ageing population.

1. The Nordic Independent Living
Challenge
Help us solve
a real
challenge!
Are you a
problem
solver?
Join this
Nordic
competition!

2. • The Nordic population is ageing and the demand for innovative solutions and
technologies is increasing. The five capitals are addressing this issue together –
creating a joint market for the Nordic health and welfare technology industry.
• We invite new and established innovators to participate in the Nordic
Independent Living Challenge. We ask you to come up with innovative and
sustainable solutions that can increase the quality of life for the frail elderly and
people with disabilities, and make it possible for them to live independently in
their own home.
• The competition runs from January 2015 to June 2016, and the main prize is 1
million NOK. We also have special awards for Nordic collaboration and student
projects.
• As a participant in the competition, you will be offered access to knowledge,
mentoring, workshops, networking and test facilities. And not at least, you will get
a unique opportunity to work in close collaboration with the Nordic capitals.

3. From 2007 to 2012, Copenhagen, Oslo and Helsinki
increased their social expenditure with 27 % combined,
from 4,4 to 5,6 billion EUR. The social expenditure is
expected to continue increasing in all the Nordic capitals.
Together, the five cities represent a substantial and
rapidly growing market.
The cities have recognised the need for innovation and
collaboration across the Nordic region and have
committed both time and resources to make it happen.
As organisers of the Nordic Independent Living
Challenge, they will host projects and workshops as well
as provide mentors, knowledge and test beds for end
user testing.
THE NORDIC CAPITALS
The cities need new and effective solutions to the
welfare challenge. Technologies and services that can
save resources and increase the quality of life for elderly
and disabled citizens.
Better
services and
technology
Increased quality
of life for
citizens
Effective and
sustainable
solutions

4. We will gather the most innovative people
in the Nordic region to create new
collaborations and partnerships across
borders and disciplines.
We believe this can take innovation in the
health and welfare sector to the next
level.

5. Join the challenge!

6. WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
As a participant in the competition, you
will be offered access to knowledge,
mentoring, workshops, networking and
test facilities. And not at least, you will get
a unique opportunity to work in close
collaboration with the Nordic capitals.
Everyone with an innovative idea can join!

7. THE NORDIC INDEPENDENT LIVING CHALLENGE
The five Nordic capitals have joined forces to address
the issue of independent living for the elderly and
disabled. Together, we have created the Nordic
Independent Living Challenge, and we are inviting
new and established players to help us come up with
innovative solutions.
The competition will be launched in January 2015,
and we offer a main prize of 1 million NOK and special
awards for cross-Nordic collaboration and student
projects.
As a participant, you will be offered feedback,
mentoring, workshops and matchmaking events, and
you will get a unique opportunity to test your solution
with the Nordic capitals.
The competition aims to enable and enhance
independent living and the quality of life for the frail
elderly and for the disabled.
At the same time, we want to boost innovation and
collaboration in the welfare technology industry and
create a joint Nordic market.
The competition offers
... as well as three grand prizes
End user
insights
Process
assistance
Mentoring
and
sparring
100,000
Student
Award
Real-life
testing
Marketing
help
Financial
support
1,000,000
Main Prize
200,000
Nordic
Collaboration
Award

8.  1 million NOK
general prize
 200.000 NOK
cross-Nordic
collaboration
award
 100.000 NOK
student award
 5 finalists
 Testing with
the capital
cities
 300.000 NOK
 Mentoring
 National
launch events
 A total of 150
participants or
more
 Inspirational
seminars
 Up to 75 of the
best ideas
 Nordic
matchmaking
 Inspiration and
tools
 Travel
expenses
 Up to 25 of the
best projects
 Business plan
and testing
preparations
 Mentoring and
support
THE FOUR STAGES
Launch
Matchmaking
Developing Testing with
the cities
Ideas
Real-life
testing
WinnersConcepts

9. THE JOURNEYTHE JOURNEY

10. Nordic Innovation is promoting cross-border trade and
innovation in the Nordic region.
Working under the auspices of the Nordic Council of
Ministers, Nordic Innovation is a key player in
implementing the Nordic Cooperation Programme for
Innovation and Business Policy 2014-2017.
One of the projects in this programme is the Innovative
Nordic Welfare Solutions project, aiming at making the
Nordic region world-leading within innovative health and
welfare solutions with export potential.
Nordic Innovation sees great opportunities in a more
integrated Nordic health care market with enhanced
collaboration, and is launching the Nordic Independent
Living Challenge together with the five capitals.
NORDIC INNOVATION
Nordic Innovation is supporting this project for a
number of reasons:
Nordic
market
New
solutions for
export
Focus on a
real
challenge
Nordic
welfare
model
New
collaborations

11. EFFECTS ON END-USERS
EFFECTS ON MARKET AND SOCIETY
Launch Matchmaking Developing Testing with
the cities
New
platforms
New
collabo-
rations
New Nordic
market
New
solutions
New
startups
Inspiration
Real-life
testing
Early
adoption
Involvement
Independent
living

12. Help us solve
a real challenge!

13. Hi, my name is Sonja.
I enjoy having my calendar full. I always have a lot of events to
look forward too. I like to meet people and keep myself up-to-date
on what happens in the world.
I keep myself fit and busy. I believe people with no hobbies or
activities age more quickly.
Last year I fell on my bike and now I cannot get around like I was
used to…
THE FRAIL ELDERLY

14. THE FRAIL ELDERLY
Today, elderly people represent 25 % of the entire
Nordic adult population. This number will rise to
more than 40 % in 2030 and 45 % in 2050, meaning
there will soon be a dramatic increase of people in
need of solutions that can increase their quality of
life and help them be able to keep living
independently.
We see the elderly as great resources
in the ideation process of this
competition.
The elderly end users need solutions that can increase
their quality of life. This could be in areas like:
Moving
around
Maintaining
an active
mind
Using
technology
Staying in
touch
Finding the
way
Staying in
shape

15. Hi, I am Rasmus!
When I was little, I had a brain tumour which was operated. I have
difficulties in remembering and focusing on things.
I think everybody needs to be good at something. Some of us just
need help to get there.
When other people make solutions for me, I get confused. But if I
make my own systems, I understand them.
Help should be something that you choose. Not something that is
enforced upon you.
THE DISABLED

16. THE DISABLED
Between 13 and 21% of the Nordic adult population
report that they have some kind of disability.
Nordic disabled are typically advanced users and
critical consumers. They possess considerable
knowledge and creativity, making them a valuable
resource in the development of new and
innovative solutions.
The disabled end users need solutions that can help them
stay active in many ways. This could be in areas like:
Moving
around
Customising
solutions
Using
technology
Staying in
touch
Staying in
shape

17. There will be an increasing need for
welfare solutions of good quality for
the elderly and disabled.
We need to develop solutions that
help improve welfare services and
at the same time make the job
easier and more efficient for care
professionals. This could be in areas
like:
Relatives will to a greater extent
take part in caring for their elderly
and disabled, but at the same time
they have their own lives to run.
There will be an increasing demand
for solutions that can handle issues
like:
CARE PROFESSIONALS AND RELATIVES
Handling
information
Keeping in
touch
Organising
lives
Handling
information
Building
relationships
Improving
working
environment

18. Are you a
problem solver?

19. Hello, I am Thorfinn!
I am head of innovation and business development in a
multinational company developing household appliances and
other everyday technologies.
We have initiated a strategic project in the area of health care
solutions and are looking for ways to develop new solutions in
close collaboration with health care providers and end users.
This competition is a great opportunity for us to experiment in an
advanced and rapidly growing market – and collaborate with
some inspiring entrepreneurs.
ESTABLISHED SOLUTION PROVIDERS

20. ESTABLISHED SOLUTION PROVIDERS
The competition offers you several opportunities:The obvious place to ask for help is from the
established solution providers.
We are looking for technology and service
companies interested in accessing a Nordic market
and in working closely together with the five Nordic
capitals as well as with end users and new
entrepreneurs.
As an established solution provider you
can bring know-how and development
capacity to the field, and you will be able
to exploit the opportunities in a
joint Nordic initiative and market.
The competition offers you a possibility
for dialouge with the five Nordic
capitals, access to end users and
an opportunity to establish new
partnerships.
End user
involvement
and tests
New talents
Working
with the
capital
cities
Access to a
Nordic
market
New
partnerships

21. Hi there, I am Annukka!
I am a design student at the final year of university. Together with
some friends, I have recently started a company developing
software and simple technology solutions for the elderly. We share
an interest in increasing the quality of life for the elderly, and
together we possess the technology and design skills to be able to
develop new and interesting prototypes.
We do, however, need more knowledge about and access to real-
life users, and we are looking for partners for funding and help to
take our solutions to market.
We see the competition as a great opportunity to take our ideas to
the next level and to kick-start our company.
STARTUPS AND STUDENTS

22. STARTUPS AND STUDENTS
You can get:As startups, you come with an entrepreneurial spirit,
exciting ideas and flexibility.
The challenge provides an opportunity to get your
solutions developed and tested with real-life users
and a possible entry into a growing market.
In addition to the cash prize, the financial
support and the possibility to get your own
mentor, you will also get a chance
to meet and network with key
players in the field.
Financial
support
Insights and
mentoring
Access to
the market
Access to
end users
Business
partners
Push
support

23. Hello, I am Björn!
I have a spinal cord injury
which means I cannot move
my legs at all and my arms
only a little bit, so I need to
consider accessibility in a
different way than many
others.
I have a lot of ideas for new
products and services for
disabled people like me,
and I really hope I can find
some people to work with
in this competition.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY END USERS
Hi, my name is Johanna!
I have been working at the municipal home
care service for the past ten years. I visit
elderly people and help them with their
daily chores.
I have often been thinking about what I
could do to make both their life and my own
working day easier. This competition gives
me a chance to try out some of my ideas
together with people who are able to
develop the technology.

24. END USERS
Perhaps you as an end user have plenty of ideas for
new products and services for people in a similar
situation like yourself? With the right partners you
can be the foundation of a future export success!
Or as a care professional, you might have come up
with innovative solutions for how to improve your
clients’ living situation – or making your own
working day easier?
We can help you turning your ideas
into reality, and offer you financial support,
mentoring and networking with relevant
players in the field.
As a problem solving end user you will
be able to obtain:
Help
developing
your
solutions
Innovation
partners
Financial
support
Better
solutions for
yourself
Sharing of
your
solutions
with others
Insights and
mentoring

25. Hi, I am Nagib!
I am a researcher and lecturer at a technological university. I have
been working with robotics for many years and my main research
interest is welfare technologies.
I believe that I can bring a lot of knowledge and experience to the
competition, and valuable insights from my research to the
innovation process.
I also see it as a good opportunity for my students to work with
real-life projects – especially if we can team up with people from
companies and other universities.
ACADEMIA

26. RESEARCHERS AND ACADEMICS
They will be interested in…Academic institutions are sources of new knowledge
and new perspectives. Innovation is on your agenda,
and most of you are looking for active collaboration
with the industry and the public.
The competition offers researchers a chance to work
with real-life challenges and end users - and an
opportunity to share your knowledge with others
and perhaps find commercial partners for
bringing your ideas to market.
And if you are a student, we offer you
real-life innovation experience, and
an opportunity to explore future career
possibilities.
The competition offers you:
Meeting
with
end users
Commercial
partners
Innovation
experience
Financial
support
Working
with
real-life
challenges
Networking