Take part in Urban Tech Helsinki Challenge 2024 and revolutionise the construction industry’s way of handling recycled materials. Send in your application on 4.4. at the latest and join the challenge!

Background for the Challenge

The construction industry faces challenges in managing recycled materials efficiently due to slow, manual processes, inconsistent data management, and lack of transparency. To transition towards a circular economy, innovative solutions are needed to streamline material handling, optimize logistics, and promote resource efficiency. This is where you come in!

Turning ideas into actionable plans

This spring, together with our partners Kira Growth Program and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, we are on the lookout for new ideas. These ideas should address the key issues in the industry such as mapping recyclable materials, automating quality control and cleaning processes, optimising logistics, and ensuring transparent data management throughout the material lifecycle. Whether you are a student, a member of a startup, or a professional – gather your team and send in your application!

The ultimate goal is to create a seamless, data-driven ecosystem that maximizes resource utilisation, reduces waste, and fosters collaboration across the construction supply chain. During the challenge, your team will attend sessions to help you get closer to this goal. You’ll also have other tools to help you turn your idea into a concept, prototype, or mockup. These are for example expert mentorship, an opportunity for building and piloting prototypes on Metropolia’s collaboration platforms, and access to sparring conversations with certain specialists.

Prizes for the winners

• Pool of tickets to Slush 2024 & Arctic15 (both startup & student categories)

For startup category winners:

• Chance to a pilot project during Autumn 2024, as well as a place in our incubator program batch 6, starting in August 2024. Further incentives are to be confirmed closer to the event.
• 3-month membership (May-July) for Aalto Startup Center, including access to the facilities, co-working space, and main accelerator programme’s events (to include multiple trainings and workshops taking place weekly).
• Winning teams will be granted customised access to Metropolia’s labs, tools, and innovation platforms, along with expert support in Autumn 2024, tailored to their project needs post-victory.
• Showcase the solution during Slush 2024 and Demo Day in Metropolia on November 28.

For student category winners:

• Possibilities to join Metropolia Turbiini campus incubator, for example, early-stage pre-incubator programs, mentoring, and events.
• Winning teams will be granted customised access to Metropolia’s labs, tools, and innovation platforms, along with expert support in Autumn 2024, tailored to their project needs post-victory.
• Showcase the solution during Slush 2024 and Demo Day in Metropolia on November 28.

Sounds good! What’s next?

The Urban Tech Helsinki Challenge 2024 consists of a series of online workshops during April and May 2024, followed by a hybrid pitching event to conclude the competition:

Session 1: 9 Apr, 13:00

Session 2: 18 Apr, 13:00

Session 3: 25 Apr, 13:00

Hybrid Pitching Event: 7 May, 13:00 at Maria 01 and online

Teams who are selected to compete will receive more information and links to the online sessions.

More info about the mentors, speakers and workshops on the challenge platform here Apply latest April 4th!