September 2024: BrainStormCorner has received a contract to facilitate semi-annual brainstorming meetings for the EU ACTIVE ID program, running from 2024 until 2028.
Activating citizens towards healthy lifestyles In vital EU-regions with innovative data-driven solutions!
16th August 2024: Back after a summer break, and taking stock of recent activities. Topic: circular economy. Nice to notice our older research referenced in an eastern Finland circular economy report by Ramboll.
28th May 2024: Happy to organize and host a Future Club (Tulevaisuusklubi) online session by Michaela Ramm-Schmidt. The session theme (held in Finnish): Onko vastuullisuus rikki? Miten kääntää liiketoiminnan suunta näivettävästä uudistavaksi? Is accountability broken? Turning towards regenerative business. More info here (in Finnish).
March-April 2024: BrainStormCorner helped complete the first Oulu region startup company survey. A brief news item on the survey is here (in Finnish).
Update for March 2024: Earlier this year, the futurist, inventor and author Perttu Pölönen spoke online at our Future Club (Tulevaisuusklubi) on the topic “How a mobile phone controls its user“. The organisers were BrainStormCorner and Helsingin Ekonomit. Also a book on this topic has been published by Perttu.
You can see a recording of the session on Youtube (in Finnish).
You can read an interview on the topic here (in Finnish)
or read the whole magazine of Helsingin Ekonomit here.
Update for February 2024: The results of the Tampere area (Finland) Startup Company Survey for 2023 have been published. BrainStormCorner received a contract to do a part of the survey work.
Find the report here (in Finnish).
31st January 2024: The futurist, inventor and author Perttu Pölönen spoke online at our Future Club (Tulevaisuusklubi) on the topic “How a mobile phone controls its user“. The event was in Finnish. The organisers were BrainStormCorner and Helsingin Ekonomit.
16th January 2024: Inspiring to run a brainstorm workshop for the Idman Foundation! The Foundation grants scholarships for higher education for people who graduated from a Tampere, Finland region high school. The theme of the workshop this time was higher education abroad.
We first started brainstorming with the Idman Foundation in 2022. After further idea development by Idman, this particular topic ultimately resulted in a new joint grant for studies in the US being established between Idman and the Fulbright program (Fulbright Finland Foundation)
October 2023 – ongoing: We’re in great company… The Nobel Prize in Physics has just been awarded for three scientists who “produced pulses of light so short that they are measured in attoseconds.“
Meanwhile our Timekeeper project with Tampere University is working in a related field, in order to transform results of photonics research into various applications. Read more details on the project website.
November-December: We are helping out with the Tampere city area Startup Survey for 2023, conducted by the Tampere Startup Support Association.
(You can find the previous year’s survey results here or by clicking the image / pdf file in Finnish).
November 2023: Our staff has been chosen to mentor in the Aalto University Mentor Programme. The programme connects students and Aalto University alumni to facilitate career design and self-development. The programme brings together over four hundred Finnish and international students and alumni in Finland and abroad each year.
Aalto University, located in Finland’s Helsinki capital city region, is one of Finland’s largest universities. Formed in the merger of three of the leading Finnish universities (Technology, Economics and Arts), Aalto boasts a formidable mixture of talents and research in these fields.
25th October 2023: Young students creating new ideas. We joined in the jury of the Unfold 3.0 hackathon for students by Tampere Entrepreneurship Society and partners. Congrats to the winning “4psych-Y2K” team and the runner-up team “YouTime” for their innovative approaches.
The challenges in this hackathon were:
• Mental health in the digital age
• Sustainable consumption and circular economy
• Digital democracy and civic engagement
• Aging population and healthcare innovation
• Sustainable tourism
• Loneliness and unemployment in working age individuals
31st August 2023: The EU-funded Networks Behind New Growth programme held an event for a group of partners and stakeholders.
Our Funding Coaching for Early-Stage Startups held in November 2022 was specifically mentioned as one of three examples of interesting activities piloted under the programme.
We tailored the series of coaching sessions for a group of international and local startup entrepreneurs active in the greater Tampere region, Finland.
For coaching and for getting funding for your business, you can contact us.
The November 2022 sessions were held in cooperation with Alttum.
August 2023: BrainStormCorner’s circular economy related services are mentioned as an example on the KIERTO Circular Economy EU project’s newly published business course (in Finnish). You can learn more about our circular economy services here.
August 2023: Our BrainStormCorner team member has qualified as an advisor (aka. TranS4MEr) for the European ADvanced MAnufacturing Support Centre ADMA TranS4MErs project. The project supports ambitious and innovative Manufacturing SMEs to become Factories of the Future.
Companies can utilize the service via the project platform.
March 2023 onwards: We are very happy to report that project TIMEKEEPER, which we helped prepare together with Tampere University and Propellerhat Management Ltd, was approved by the European Research Council (ERC), and the project has commenced.
June 19th 2023: BrainStormCorner has been accepted as an entrepreneurship training service provider by the Northern Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (Pohjois-Pohjanmaan ELY-keskus) in Finland.
From June 30th 2023: The World Circular Economy Forum 2023 in Helsinki. We joined by invitation from Sitra, with Aiwoods Ltd.
May-June 2023: For the third time in a row, we are advising an annual global sustainability science project by a student group from Utrecht University.
The Global integration Project is a course about systems change as an organizational idea to bring the disciplines in Global Sustainability together, and to give students in the course many opportunities to consider how a more sustainable world may, in fact, be possible.
1st June 2023: Happy to organize and host a Future Club (Tulevaisuusklubi) online session by Krista Jäntti. Topic: Cloned Me: Digital Twin, AI and the Future of Content Creation.
“Literature and the music and entertainment industries already use digital voice clones and deepfake technology to create new content. Artificial intelligence-based production becomes especially fascinating when we start creating digital duplicates of ourselves living in the metaverse, speaking in our own style, and offering us a digital life forever.”
See the session on Youtube (in Finnish):
You can also read Krista’s article related to the topic here (in Finnish, pages 18-19).
9th May 2023: We were happy to organize and host a Future Club (Tulevaisuusklubi) online session by Taina Eriksson from the Futures Knowledge Distillery. Topic: Using futures foresight in a business world of constant change. The webinar recording can be viewed here (in Finnish).
“Foresight is important for a company’s competitiveness. It’s an essential part of preparing for an uncertain future. It is about recognizing what possible futures we face, and what the different pathways mean for us.“
3rd May 2023: We Boost Entrepreneurship. An online event was held successfully for Tampere and Pirkanmaa region international entrepreneurs. You can view a sample of the services we provide here.
Early stage entrepreneurs in the greater Tampere area can be eligible to apply for the program free!
March 2023 – ongoing: BrainStormCorner together with our consortium partners have just been chosen by the City of Tampere and the Networks Behind New Growth programme to strengthen the international networks of the city’s enterprises, particularly those of startup and scaleup companies who can benefit from European cooperation.
We are particularly happy with this task, as Tampere is among the most innovative cities in Finland and thus also the world. Tampere has also been rated as the most attractive city in Finland now for the third time in a row.
April 2022: For the second year in a row, BrainStormCorner has been chosen as a service provider for Lahti city enterprises, done via the Lahti business service voucher (yrityspalveluseteli). If you are based in Lahti, get in touch!
Our Sales and Marketing service package for Lahti city based enterprises can be seen here. This year the focus is on Asian markets in general and health & biomedtech markets in particular (Finland, Europe, Asia, global).
Our Sustainable Growth service package for Lahti city based enterprises is here. This year the focus is on implementing sustainability and circularity in your business, and on getting your business funded.
Get in touch at discuss@brainstormcorner.com, even if the focus areas of these service packages don’t seem to match your interests exactly. We can work out a solution!
We received good feedback from a previous Lahti service voucher client:
Gimara Ltd received a Lahti service voucher in 2022. BrainStormCorner supported Gimara by contacting potential partners, and searching for connections in Asian countries. In addition, Gimara gained an external perspective on business processes, which was useful to further develop operations. Cooperation with BrainStormCorner was very flexible and rewarding.
In Finnish: Gimara Oy sai Lahden palvelusetelin 2022. BrainStormCorner tuki Gimaraa kontaktoimalla potentiaalisia partnereita ja Aasian maiden yhteyksien etsinnässä. Lisäksi Gimara sai ulkopuolisen näkökulman liiketoiminnan prosesseista, joiden avulla toimintaa voitiin kehittää edelleen. Yhteistyö BrainStormCornerin kanssa oli erittäin joustavaa ja antoisaa.
Late 2022 – early 2023: We worked with OC-System Ltd to launch an experimental project: implementing new heating technology in a factory production line, in accordance with the principles of circularity. More about Finland’s North Savo region circular economy pilot projects here.
Early 2023: We worked with Carrot Bank (Porkkanapankki), a startup challenging companies to improve their efficiency. Carrot Bank is a people-oriented application for incentivizing and rewarding. Positive rewards guide an individual or team to actions that make a difference to the business.
We received comments from the CEO: “It went very well. Proactive and independent service. They understood what we do, and provided a clear service helping us. We found clarity in certain aspects of our business.”
Late 2022 – early 2023: We worked with Joinplay Games Studios, providing business coaching and help with their upcoming game project. We received comments from the CEO about our services: “Truly exceeded my expectations in every way possible… a game-changer for our business plan.”
The Most Startup Friendly Company in Finland 2022 has been chosen. The competition was organised by BrainStormCorner together with partners. See more information here (English) and here (Finnish).
Partnership news from Q4 of 2022:
We are glad to share our new partnership goals between inXso and BrainStormCorner. Born internationally, inXso is helping innovators open up new lines of research and technology that are disrupting existing healthcare ecosystems. BrainStormCorner was founded as a business think tank with global roots. BrainStormCorner is a versatile toolbox of business services and research commercialization, based on long international and multidisciplinary experience.
“While Finnish, we are extremely multilingual.”
With our common goals, inXso and BrainStormCorner will strive forwards to provide valuable insights for co-innovative solutions and international business development through upcoming collaboration offerings.
inXso provides services in the healthcare sector with three focus areas:
-Co-innovation & development
-International business development
-Innovation procurement support
See inxso.pro
29th November 2022: We co-hosted the Final Pitching Competition for The Most Startup Friendly Company in Finland 2022 and on the same day, the newest co-creation workshop for the Corporate-Startup Cooperation Toolbox, and an afterwork event. We also participated in the competition jury.
Participants of the competition, the jury, the workshop and the afterwork event included global corporations and large companies, in alphabetical order: Kone, Konecranes, Metsä Group, Pirkanmaan Osuuskauppa, Stora Enso, and smaller companies and startups such as Aiwoods, Crazy Town, Missing-Link, Nobody Engineering, Tampere City, Tampere Startup Support Association, Tampere University, and several others.
4th November 2022: Hosting another online co-creation workshop for the Corporate-Startup Cooperation Toolbox in connection with The Most Startup Friendly Company in Finland Competition 2022. In the previous session we had participants from several well known Finnish corporations: Metsä Group, Kone, Konecranes, Glaston, Stora Enso, Caruna and Pirkanmaan Osuuskauppa.
3rd, 16th and 30th November 2022: Funding coaching for early-stage startups. You can sign up here!
23rd November 2022, 13:00-14:00 (Finland time zone): Hosting an online event on Problems met by international starting entrepreneurs in Tampere region, Finland. Join us for peer learning, networking, and to boost your entrepreneurship!
9th November 2022, 13:00-14:00 (Finland time zone): Hosting an online event on how to go international from the Tampere, Pirkanmaa region in Finland. What are the things you need to get in order for your business? Where to get funding for the expansion to international markets? Join us for peer learning, networking, and to boost your entrepreneurship!
31st October 2022 – ongoing: Working together with Gimara Ltd on accessible learning and digital employment solutions for working life.
26th October 2022, 13:00-14:00 (Finland time zome): Hosting an online event on Problems met by international starting entrepreneurs in Tampere region, Finland. Join us for peer learning, networking, and to boost your entrepreneurship!
21st October 2022: Hosting an online co-creation workshop for the Corporate-Startup Cooperation Toolbox in connection with The Most Startup Friendly Company in Finland Competition 2022. Several large, well-known Finnish corporations are participating in our session. A follow-up workshop is scheduled for 4th November.
September 2022: We have received a contract from The Dock and the Networks Behind New Growth Programme. We will coach approximately a dozen entrepreneur startup teams how to get funding at the various early growth stages.
September 2022: We do translation and localization jobs when requested. Task for a returning customer: English to Japanese translation of website and company materials, including some copywriting. For use at a promotion fair and other marketing in Japan.
August-September 2022: Working on optical/photonics technologies (client research project).
From August 2022: Open for Pirkanmaa business! BrainStormCorner has been selected as a service provider for the Pirkanmaa Entrepreneurial Boost.
• Eligibility: People who are currently part-time entrepreneurs, or have been full-time entrepreneurs for no more than 1 year, and reside in Pirkanmaa (i.e. in Tampere or the nearby municipalities). These people can apply for our service to boost their business.
• The expert service provided by our team is worth a lot of money, but it is free for those who are accepted into the program.
• We provide the service in multiple languages, including English. See more info.
24th August 2022: Launching the 2022 round of the Most Startup Friendly Company in Finland Award Competition! Meet us at SHIFT Business Festival 24-25 August, in Turku, Finland.
23rd August 2022: Launched the new Future Club (Tulevaisuusklubi) with the Helsinki Business School Graduates. The first event was an online lecture and discussion session together with Professor Arto O. Salonen, on Meaningfulness and Work. (Arto was also speaking on a related topic at the national Finnish summer event at SuomiAreena on 14th July)
14th-15th June 2022: The winners of last year’s Finland’s Most Startup Friendly Company Award (Metsä Group and Kone Corporation) were given their awards at the main stage of Nokia Arena as part of Tampere Smart City Week, and participate in a panel discussion hosted by Arctic15. We played a key role in organising the Award, and continue to develop it further with our cooperation partners.
Spring 2022: Our circular economy report for the North Savo Energy Cluster has been published (in Finnish)
May 2022: BrainStormCorner was chosen as a service provider for Lahti city enterprises in the specialty areas of sustainable growth, RDI development and sales & marketing (see the service packages by clicking on the links)
May 2022 – ongoing: Working to further develop Finland’s Most Startup Friendly Company Award competition. News of the 2021 competition and winner at Tribe Tampere website and Kauppalehti.
May-June 2022: Advising a global sustainability science project by a student group from Utrecht University.
April-June 2022: A project to use remote work and multilocality in boosting regional vitality. Together with Next2Met and the Regional Council of Päijät-Häme.
19th April 2022: Co-founded the International Club of the Helsinki Business School Graduates, a professional association with 17,000 members, founded in 1935. Read about the first Club event in Finnish.
March-April 2022: A project with SavoFarm 4.0 and YSAO agricultural college for future agricultural technologies and education.
24th March 2022: Organising an online workshop for the winners of the “Finland’s Most Startup Friendly Company 2021” award.
16th February 2022: Joining a doughnut economics related analysis workshop with the Pirkanmaa / Greater Tampere region.
Spring 2022: Coaching work for research teams and companies to get European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept (PoC) funding, European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator and other types of EU funding.
1st-2nd December 2021: Joining the Pirkanmaa Ekothon 2 sustainability co-creation workshop.
29th November 2021: We participate in organising the Next Generation Internet (NGI) Impact Conference (Brussels & online)
24th November 2021: Co-hosting a half day on/offline hybrid workshop on matching the needs of industry and education institutions in eastern Finland.
17th November 2021: Co-hosting a half day on/offline hybrid workshop on matching the needs of industry and education institutions in eastern Finland.
November – December 2021: Contract for partner search and technology ecosystem mapping on behalf of a research group (large Finnish research organisation)
4th November 2021: Co-hosting a half day on/offline hybrid workshop on matching the needs of industry and education institutions in eastern Finland.
October 2021 – ongoing: Started organising “Finland’s Most Startup Friendly Company 2021” award.
28th October 2021: BrainStormCorner workshop on circular technologies in manufacturing industries. (see a link to the event on this list)
27th October 2021: Joining a new project on matching the needs of industry and education institutions in eastern Finland.
26th October 2021: BrainStormCorner workshop on circular technologies in metal and machinery industry. (see a link to the event on this list)
19th October 2021: BrainStormCorner Creative Flow online for Helsinki Business School Graduates (an organization of over 17,000 business professionals)
13th-14th October 2021: Two Circular Economy promotion events online for municipalities, together with Circwaste.
12th October 2021: BrainStormCorner workshop on data center surplus heat utilization (see a link to the event on this list). First in a series of online workshops and activities on Circular Economy for energy, metal industry, manufacturing and service businesses.
16th September 2021: Joining the 7th Asia-Pacific Futures Network (APFN) conference online.
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17th June 2021: Running an online workshop on Circular Economy for Municipalities (Kiertotaloutta kunnille)
February-October 2021: Ran an experimental crowdsourced project on co-creating circular economy services with entrepreneurs and Circwaste.
August-September 2021: Client work on software service earning models (confidential)
August-September 2021: Client work on a novel medical technology (confidential)
17th August 2021: join us in an ArtScience Monthly innovative discussion on Time, hosted online from Berlin.
During July 2021: First stage of an international project: translating product descriptions into Japanese.
During June 2021: Work with projects aiming for the IMPACT EdTech Accelerator.
14th-16th June 2021: Joining the global University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) Conference.
May-June 2021: Working on a global sustainability science project with a student group from Utrecht University.
Late 2020 – ongoing: brainstorming work for a stealth mode digital twin startup.
22nd April – mid May 2021: Strategy work for a well known Finnish industrial export company (client confidential)
24th May 2021: Online brainstorming together with Helsinki Business School Graduates, topic: developing organisational membership services and management.
February-March 2021: Online user platform creation work, agile project (confidential)
March-May 2021: Commissioned a student project on urban food production at the Helsinki University course Practical application of sustainability science.
March-May 2021: Business planning work for a repair construction company.
14th April 2021: Light online brainstorming keynote for Helsinki Business School Graduates.
January-March 2021: Work on software (SAAS) & environmental projects (confidential)
1st March 2021: Our Futures Game facilitation and participation with Global Swarm on World Future Day.
December 2020: Brainstorming business development & EU projects (SME & research, software & energy efficiency)
8th-12th December 2020: Joining the UNESCO Futures Literacy Summit and participating in Our Futures Game.
2nd December 2020: Experimental audiovisual MiniBrainStormCorner held online. The art group HIDAS kindly provided inspiration and material.
October-November 2020: Our collaborative tech-art exhibited in Berlin.
September-October 2020: Brainstorming EU projects (client project, SME, funding for technology development)
June 2020: Brainstorming medical digital technologies (client project, research)
10th June 2020: Regenerate#2 – a Startup Panel on food, together with Muutosmakers, Foodtechies and Tribe Tampere.
23rd April 2020: Learn to Feed Yourself, a BrainStormCorner online session.
8th April 2020: Join us at a BrainStormCorner online session.
October 2019-February 2020: Strategy work for an architecture company, planning sustainable city blocks.
24th September 2019: BrainStormCorner session at Tribe Tampere, Finland.
8th August 2019: Meet us at Slush in Shenzhen, China.
8th May 2019: BrainStormCorner session at Tribe Tampere, Finland
22nd March 2019: BrainStormCorner session at Crazytown, Tampere, Finland.
Some past events also listed here.
Since 2018, we have BrainStormed Tampere, Helsinki, Espoo, Shenzhen and the Internet. More coming up, stay tuned!
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