The Olvi Foundation Neurochallenge innovation competition was organized on November 7-9, 2024, in the Kuopio campus at Savilahti. We started with a scientific seminar to clarify the problem and the need for new innovations on brain health. For the actual work we spent two days, ideating and creating the new solutions with the support from mentors.

The event brought together participants from several sectors and areas of expertise. The participants were researchers, individuals, companies, and students, who created solutions for the theme of the event “with a mission of seeking solutions that promote the brain health and wellbeing of the working aged people“.

Time to create solutions was two days in which time the teams researched and identified a relevant problem related to the theme of the competition, studied possible solution options, and created a preliminary concept for the solution. The teams were assisted by a facilitated innovation process and hard-core mentors.

Antti Kotimaa (RDI Expert at Savonia), Matti Laitinen (Innovation advisor at Business Center North Savo), Piritta Parkkari (Impact Manager of UEF’s Neuro-Innovation Programme), Jussi Tohka (Professor of biomedical image analysis, UEF), Minna Komu (Director of OuluHealth), Jetro Tuulari (Director of Turku Brain and Mind), Aki Gröhn (CEO of Kuopio Health co-op) and Eero Rissanen, Director (Neurocenter Finland)

In the communal atmosphere of Neurochallenge, 14 solutions were presented, of which 2 were given an honorary mention and 2 were awarded from the prize pool of 20 000 €. The end concepts included multidisciplinary solutions; predictive well-being, software to tackle stress, application of artificial intelligence in implementations and applying of new technology in real life monitoring of brain health. In total, more than 50 people participated in the event.

Mikael Fraunberg (Professor and head of neurosurgery at OYS), Pasi Sorvisto (Director of Spark Finland), Minna Hendolin (The Director of Impact at UEF) Jarno Mikkonen (Senior IPR Advisor at JUY), Minna Aronen (Board member at Olvi-säätiö) served as the jury for the competition. The judges evaluated the ideas on four points: The novelty of an innovation, which means solution is something new and different compared to what’s already out there. Feasibility is all about asking, “Can we really make this happen?” It’s about checking if our innovative ideas can be put into action. The impact of an innovation refers to the effect it has on people, society, the environment, or a specific problem, like brain health. It measures how much positive change or benefit the innovation brings about. Scientific validity refers to the extent to which a concept, conclusion, or measurement is well-founded and are based on sound science.

Teams and chosen ideas

Winner of 12 000 €: Team Quiscent’s

Team Members: Aravinth Ravichandran, MSc Photonics, Doctoral researcher in metabolic MRI of stroke, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio. Purbanka Pahari, Doctoral Researcher, M.E. (Biomedical Engineering), University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio

Neurochallenge Idea: Quiscent is an optics-based obstructive sleep apnea treatment device. Once the device senses a breathing obstruction during sleep, it will use optical neuromodulation technology to initiate normal breathing again without compromising the sleep quality. The device will then continue to monitor the obstruction situation and treat it accordingly as described.

Overall feelings about the event: “Neurochallenge was a significant milestone and an important steppingstone for us. The event provided us with invaluable scientific mentors whose critical guidance helped us refine our idea. Both the event and the mentors introduced us to networks and connections that can help take our idea to the next level. Additionally, the event helped us hone our pitching skills. The organizers were extremely supportive and friendly, and the hospitality was excellent. Feedback from the jury, mentors, and fellow participants was truly encouraging and motivated us to pursue our idea further. Overall, Neurochallenge is an excellent platform to identify unmet scientific challenges, innovate new solutions, and, most importantly, pursue them further.”

Winner of 8000 €: OXIBAND

Team Members: Ramesh Ekambaram, Ph.D., Student at OAMK. Mikias Lewoyehu Wondie- Medical Doctor, MPH student at UEF. Samuli Lipponen- Nutritionist and Project Researcher at UEF.

Neurochallenge Idea: OXIBAND: A wearable cerebral oximeter which measures brain tissue oxygen saturation using infrared light technology. With our innovative solution, we promote the mental wellbeing of the working age group and prevent cerebrovascular accidents related to chronic hypoxia.

Overall feelings about the event: “Neurochallenge 2024 was an unforgettable experience. The three of us came together for the first time and, within just 48 hours, transformed our ideas into a creative solution and built an everlasting connection. Neurochallenge 2024 event not only brought us together but also opened doors to collaborate with experts from diverse fields. The mentorship we received encouraged us to embrace the power of ideas and inspired us to dream bigger for the future. We are truly thankful for the opportunities and inspiration this event has provided us.”

Honorary mention:

Team Name: MyNursie Team

Team Members: Suvi Suutarinen, Pauliina Koukkari, and Kelvin Aliche

Neurochallenge Idea: MyNursie self-monitoring application focuses on empowering users in managing their health. For Neurochallenge, we are developing a dedicated migraine self-monitoring module inspired by Lundbeck’s migraine challenge. This new feature in MyNursie will help individuals track their symptoms, triggers, and treatment responses, enabling better migraine management and providing valuable insights for both users and healthcare professionals.

Overall Feelings About the Event: We’re thrilled to bring new possibilities for migraine management through MyNursie! This event inspired us to expand our app’s capabilities in brain health and support those affected by migraines with innovative self-monitoring tools. Neurochallenge offered a fantastic platform to enhance our app’s impact, and we’re excited to continue developing MyNursie into an even more powerful tool for health empowerment.

Team name: AIvoSense

Team Members: Albert Bellmunt Gil and Eman Hassanain

Neurochallenge Idea: AIvoSense – A real-time monitoring and prediction app for the nicotine dependence cycle and relapse, using behavioral and physiological data from a wearable device. Additionally, the app provides nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and information about nearby mental health professionals.

Overall Feelings About the Event: “We found it to be enriching, offering us a broader perspective beyond research and expanding our understanding of developing innovations for the advancement of the mental health field. The mentors were extremely helpful, providing valuable insights into both the business side and the scientific feasibility of our idea. Now, we have a clear concept that we can continue developing, and we hope to further refine it into a practical solution that can make a real impact in mental health care.”

The general goal of the event was to enable the emergence of new solutions by combining different skills, know-how and, for example, research knowledge in solving significant brain health related challenges. In addition, efforts were made to combine the technological and latest understanding of most acute problems together. However, the event was not about a technological event, but the teams included, for example, design, and business perspectives as well.

Innovation competitions are, at best, an essential part of the birth of new solutions, because they offer the networks of relevant expertise, tools, and connections to create something new. At the same time, companies and partners find new perspectives and the opportunity to meet possible future partners. For the participants, the event offered an opportunity to practice their skills, network with other like-minded people and get to know the world of brain health more profoundly.

A special mention for company partners or providing specific challenges for the grand theme. Novartis Finland gave us a challenge related to people with multiple sclerosis and how to support them to better cope in the working life. Lunbeck’s challenge was about how to better manage migraine attacks and to support functioning of people suffering from migraine with new technologies. Warm thanks to Lundbeck also for sponsoring the lunch and refreshments for the event, to keep the ideas flowing.

Overall, Neurochallenge enabled the participants to familiarize themselves with the theme of the competition, learn new skills and issues about innovation, create something new together, and network among other teams in a close and fast-paced environment. The event was organized in cooperation with Neurocenter Finland, Kuopio Brain & Mind, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, and Business Center North-Savo.

Authors:

Matti Laitinen, Savonia ammattikorkeakoulu, matti.laitinen@savonia.fi

Antti Kotimaa, Savonia ammattikorkeakoulu, antti.kotimaa@savonia.fi