The “24h of Innovation” was successfully held on 3-4 December in three different European cites as part of the TEAMIT+ training programme! The flagship event was hosted by KEK ORAMA in collaboration with CluBE at the University of Western Macedonia in Greece. Two parallel events were simultaneously held by Mondragon University in Bilbao (Spain) and Tiimiakatemia in Jyväskylä (Finland).
This unique concept, originally created by the Ecole Supérieure des Technologies Industrielles Avancées (ESTIA) in France in 2007, is based on creativity, innovation and teamwork- all within 24 hours.
Participants worked in teams under the guidance of professionals and coaches. They had 24 hours to develop creative and innovative concepts or products as solutions to challenges set by companies. These companies consisted of various sectors, such as energy, health, agri-food, technology, hydrogen technologies. It was an intense experience, as each team had to present their idea in a three-minute pitch and also answer questions by the jury!
The challenges and winners of each event
Greece
1st place: MediSense team, prize: laptops
Working on a challenge set by Sertech, MediSense developed an innovative patch for remote medical care. This patch can be painlessly placed by the patient and transmits encrypted data directly to their doctor.
2nd place: HydroFuture team, prize: tablets
This team worked on a challenge set by Hellenic Hydrogen. They proposed a strategy for integrating hydrogen Greece’s energy mix. Focusing on Western Macedonia, they highlighted the region’s potential for hydrogen projects and its role in a sustainable future.
3rd place: EtheleO2+ team, prize: smartwatches
Working on a challenge from etheleo, this team designed a QR code for product packaging, providing buyers with detailed information about the company’s environmental footprint at every stage. The team’s enthusiasm and prior participation in Module 1 of the training programme stood out to the jury.
These 24 hours of continuous work and creativity were full of surprises and challenges! The Cheesemakers Cluster team, with only 2 members, worked effectively, providing a solution to reduce the environmental footprint and making the best use of whey. They were also at the third place, with the jury praising their effective teamwork!
Spain
Participants in Bilbao came up with creative solutions to protect our planet, focusing on areas such as ocean preservation, biodiversity, and sustainable daily habits. Their energy, creativity, and drive were truly inspiring!
Special Jury Mention went to Guardians of the Oceans, an app designed to raise awareness of the impact of human activities on our oceans. The app promotes practical actions to reduce pollution, support eco-charities, and encourage community engagement through beach-cleaning campaigns and recycling initiatives. This was developed as a solution to the challenge posed by UN Etxea (the Basque office of the UN): ‘How can UN Etxea create a sustainable, collaborative educational proposal for secondary education students to combat climate change with solutions that protect oceans at the local level?'”
We also recognised some project ideas with awards:
- Audience Award: Terranature Most Innovative: Everis
- Best Team Spirit: Maridomingi
- Most Creative: Tree Force
- Best Presentation: Green Go
- Sleepiest Face: Dust Recycler
- Climate Action Award: Sustainable Pathway
- Most Long-Term Impact: AIDA
- Most Viable Project: Bridge
All winners received sustainable prizes from Bizi Slow, a local business promoting eco-friendly consumption. From soy wax candles to bamboo toothbrushes, collapsible cups, and solid soaps, the prizes were a reminder that small changes lead to big impact.
Finland
The winning team of Finland worked on the case “Educating For the Oceans”. This team consisted of 8 people, one alumnus and others teampreneurs from Tiimiakatemia. They offered three solutions
- Polluted ocean simulator: UN Etxea will set up two identical aquariums in high schools, one left untouched and the other gradually filled with rubbish, to clearly depict the harm human actions cause to the oceans
- The Great Ocean – VR experience: It offers a virtual dive of exploring coral reefs, learning about ocean health, and removing virtual trash.
- Ambassadors for the healthier oceans: A small team of 16-18-year-olds engages in hands-on climate actions, to inspire peers through shared experiences, promoting awareness and action on sustainability.
Their prize is tickets to the whole team to the Polar Bear pitching event Polar Bear Pitching.
ΤΕΑΜΙΤ+ Ambassadors
Special congratulations to the ambassadors of TEAMIT+, who worked during the “24h of Innovation” event in Greece. The ambassadors are a group of 12 young Europeans who are motivated and committed to environmental issues. Coming from the 4 TEAMIT countries (France, Spain, Finland, Greece), they met during Module 2 in Kozani at the beginning of December to work on a climate advocacy campaign. During the 24 hours they created a website to help local businesses in their territories reduce their carbon footprint. On their return to their home countries, they now have to improve this website with concrete recommendations and advice and meet with stakeholders concerned by this issue to update their work. They will be presenting their campaign to the Module 3 participants this week, so that they can be inspired by their approach!
A Networking and Career Opportunity
“24h Of Innovation” events were a unique opportunity for students to network with company representatives. Also, some participants of the winning Greek teams are already in discussions with CluBE for potential internship opportunities in the future.
What’s next?
The journey continues with Module 3 in Finland – where the focus will be on turning ideas into action. 10 participants from each country will be selected to continue their training in innovation and entrepreneurship. They will work with coaches from Spain, France and Finland to develop entrepreneurship ideas at an international level, collaborating from January to April 2025.
Let’s keep pushing for a more sustainable future!
