Do you have an innovative idea that makes difference and can strengthen the development of a sustainable mining industry? Then compete for SEK 600,000 to realize your idea. Together we take it further, and make the industry and the world better!
In Swedish Mining Innovation’s yearly Innovation idea competition we look for innovative ideas that can strengthen the Swedish mining industry. The competition is a unique opportunity to present your idea and thereby be given the opportunity to realize it. An expert jury chooses the eight most innovative ideas that gets to be presented for the jury and audience on March 15th. The winner receives SEK 600 000 for the realization of their idea!
The Innovation idea competition 2023 is a physical event, held at Ljusgården, Aurorum 1C in Luleå on March 15th.
Program
10.00 Coffee and mingle
10.30 Welcome
Niclas Dahlström, Swedish Mining Innovation
10.35 New from Swedish Mining Innovation and Vinnova
Lawrence Hooey, Swedish Mining Innovation
10.50 Last year’s winner – Ida Rehnström at Flasheye
11.05 Introduction of the Innovation Idea competition
11.15 Four pitches
5 min/pitch, and 3 min/question
12.00 Mingel lunch (meet SME network manager Erik Hagenrud)
13.00 Four pitches
5 min/pitch, and 3 min/question
13.40 Swedish Mining Innovations SME network Erik Hagenrud, Swedish Mining Innovation
13.50 International opportunities – Lawrence Hooey
13.55-14.00 Closing words
The pitch event is held in English.
Important dates
15/3 Pitch event, Innovation Idea Competition 2023 in Ljusgården, Aurorum 1C in Luleå.
23/3 The winner will be announced
Who can participate?
The innovation idea competition is open to anyone who have an idea for a more sustainable mining industry that you want to develop in a Swedish company, SME/SMF.
More information at Vinnova website: https://www.vinnova.se/globalassets/huvudsajt/sok-finansiering/regler-och-villkor/dokument/eu-definition-smf.pdf
Assessment criteria
The jury will take into account the following criteria in its assessment.
- The ideas contribution to Swedish Mining Innovation’s vision and strategic goals
- Potential for development towards a commercial product/service or implementation in business
- Height of innovation and value-creating potential
- Opportunities for continued financing until the finished product or service
- The team behind the idea, and its composition
- Swedish Mining Innovation is looking for ideas that are at technical development level TRL 4-7.
Information about winning
- One or possibly two ideas will be named winners.
- The winner/winners selected is entitled to funding if they meet Vinnova’s requirements. Innovation ideas that have already received funding from Vinnova are not eligible for funds.
- Winners will have to submit a detailed project plan for how they intend to use the funding, as well as what activities they are planning for taking their innovation to the the next stage of development.
Everyone gets something out of participating!
Even if you do not win or reach the finally in the competition, you will still get something out of participating in Swedish Mining Innovation’s Innovation idea competition!
All that have submitted a contribution will be offered a follow-up meeting with Swedish Mining Innovation’s program office. At the meeting, we try to find new opportunities for development, collaborations and financing. This we have seen is a winning concept from previous years!
So much support can be given to an organisation
The maximum allowable aid of minor importance is EUR 200,000 per beneficiary during the last three tax years. In order to calculate the maximum allowable aid, all grants granted under the Minority Aid Regulation must be aggregated. In this calculation, contributions to other parts of the Group should also be taken into account.
More information at Vinnova website: https://www.vinnova.se/sok-finansiering/regler-for-finansiering/statligt-stod/
Travel grant for finalists
Do you need a travel grant for your trip to the pitch event? Contact Cathrine Svakko cathrine.svakko@swedishmininginnovation.se for more information. Please note that it is not possible to apply for the travel grant after the event took place.
Everyone gets something out of participating!
Even if you do not win or reach the final, you will still get something out of participating in Swedish Mining Innovation’s Innovation idea competition!
All that have submitted a contribution will be offered a follow-up meeting with Swedish Mining Innovation’s program office. At the meeting, we try to find new opportunities for development, collaborations and financing. This we have seen is a winning concept from previous years!
The Jury

Matz Sandström, chairman of the jury.
“I am very pleased to inform you that we have expanded our jury with international members to increase the opportunity for the winners to reach an international market. Take this opportunity and submit your application!”

- Matz Sandström, Swedish Mining Innovation (chairman of the jury)
- Hanna Junttila, EIT Rawmaterials
- Susanne Rostmark, LKAB
- Katarina Öquist, Epiroc
- Tobias Kampmann, Vinnova
- Emma Grönberg, Kaunis Iron
- Anders Sand, Boliden
- Elin Ajax, Business Sweden
- Charlotte Odenberger, Zinkgruvan Mining
- Chih-Ting Lo, EELO Solutions
Join us as audience!
The final of this years Innovation Idea competition will be held at Ljusgården, Aurorum 1C in Luleå on March 15th, 2023. You are welcome to join the audience.
Sign up here!