2023 WINNERS & FINALISTS
Get inspired by the bright ideas shared by your colleagues in 2023
Click on each solution to read and watch more, check our 2023 finalists' playlist on YouTube, or browse the full best practice library for more solutions from previous editions!
1st PLACE WINNER
Krakow Technology Park, Poland “Idea Development Camp: crowdfunding edition”
A comprehensive support program to show crowdfunding as an alternative method of financing a startup. It consisted of 4 trainings followed by feedback day, 2 events, Pitching Fight Club and Failure Night, and preparation of written materials constituting a compendium of knowledge on social financing.
2nd PLACE WINNER
Linköping Science Park, Sweden “Brilliant Mentors of the Future”
The Brilliant Mentors of the Future is a reversed mentorship program that connects business leaders with university students to create connections for sharing knowledge and experience. The aim is to increase companies' ability to attract young talents and for students to learn more about local businesses.
3rd PLACE WINNER
Kyoto Research Park, Japan, “Innovation from HVC Kyoto (Healthcare Venture Conference Kyoto"
HVC KYOTO is a community to support global business development of startups with innovative technologies in the healthcare field. It has become one of the largest healthcare pitch events in Japan, and a sustainable community that is part of Kyoto’s international innovation ecosystem.
Congratulations to the finalists of the 2023 edition:
Porto Digital, Brazil “Embarque Digital”
The Embarque Digital is the largest IT training and inclusion program in Recife, managing to double the number of IT students in the city, reduce vacancies in the companies of the technology park, and increase the employability and income of the students.
Research Triangle Park, USA “Boxyard RTP"
With history of robust innovation, R&D and cutting-edge entrepreneurship, there were ample success stories at RTP, but one thing was always missing: a vibrant community to intertwine into this iconic place. Although RTP could stand on its own legacy, it was without a beating heart and in need of a "downtown" district.
Singapore Science Park, Singapore “The Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab”
The Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab is Singapore's first industry-led lab for smart cities solutions development. The Lab functions as a resource integrator, bringing together industry leaders and players – tech startups, system integrators and global corporate enterprises - to co-create solutions for smart cities, from ideation to testing to commercialisation
Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol, Estonia “AI Development Program”
The program enhances the implementation of AI technologies through a series of development sprints where the matchmaking between AI challenge owners (private companies) and innovative tech providers is conducted. After matching, a 2-day hackathon is organized to develop an implementation plan. Best projects receive up to 100k€ grants for piloting.
Technological Park of Vicosa – tecnoPARQ, Brazil "Advance Coffee”
Advance Coffee is a pre-acceleration program for startups. Exclusively aimed at developing technological and innovative solutions for the coffee production chain, it boosts companies and nascent projects, providing knowledge, opportunities and connections.
Technopolis, Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand “Services for the food industry”
Addressing gaps in the product development pathway for food industries by leveraging the services and ecosystems, it is underpinned by two distinct mechanisms: the inside-out and outside-in, which support the local community with knowledge and technologies and enhance the university's research and technological capabilities.
Teknopark İstanbul, Turkey “Helpcube Acceleration Program“
Helpcube Acceleration Program is an acceleration program that aims to develop and commercialise technological solutions for natural disasters and emergencies.