9.5 million euros for SME Innovations Promoting Active and Healthy Lifestyles

The increasingly sedentary lifestyle among the population is a significant contributor to less fitness & well-being and a variety of diseases such as a rise in mental stress, diabetes, heart diseases, Alzheimer's, and cancer cases. While technology has made our lives less active, it can now assist us in becoming more active and fit.

To accelerate the introduction of the necessary technological innovations to the market, interregional collaboration is required. The European project I3-INSHAPE promotes such cooperation. Coordinated by Cluster Sports & Technology in (South) Netherlands, SMEs, knowledge institutions and cluster partners from regions from Belgium, Finland, Hungary, and Spain participate in the project.

Increasing the Impact of SMEs

With an amount of €9.5 million (70 percent funded by EU-I3), SMEs have the opportunity to expedite the market entry of their innovations through interregional collaboration. Ultimately, this financial boost aims to establish an INSHAPE Innovation & Investment Hub, where companies, knowledge institutions, and government can come together for innovations promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle even after the project concludes.

The project has a duration of three years and commences with a kick off on September 20, 2023.

Riitta Rissanen, Rector, Lapland University of Applied Sciences:

- Lapland University of Applied Sciences plays an important role in connecting education, research and industry in the Arctic. The INSHAPE project will allow the region of Lapland to continue to benefit from established and professional networks in the sport and vitality industry. Improving the opportunities for SMEs to grow and develop their products and services using data and investment to accelerate them to the market. Our continued international presence in this domain will strengthen regional investment activity and highlight Lapland as region of sporting excellence.

Project partner and flagship SME from the Lapland region will be the Comback Center. Embracing knowledge from different fields (medicine, physiotherapy, coaching), Comeback Center provides top-quality sports injury rehabilitation services.

Founded by Tanja Poutiainen-Rinne, an Olympic and World Championship medalist in alpine skiing, she had this to say on the project:

- At the Comeback Centre we are excited to be part of the INSHAPE project, the opportunity to work with such a diverse set of expertise across Europe can only enrich the products and services we offer. Innovation and investment are key to our continued growth and therefore working within this network will add a real positive experience for us the staff and also our clients.

EPSI – the European Platform for Sport Innovation, will support the communication and dissemination of the project itself, helping it to gain visibility all over Europe.

I3-INSHAPE is funded by the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF). With this subsidy, participating parties have the opportunity to assist over 40 SMEs in bringing innovations to the market through interregional collaboration, thereby promoting a more active and healthier society.

Contact for the project;

Ben Taylor, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, ben.taylor(a)lapinamk.fi
Niko Niemisalo, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, niko.niemisalo(a)lapinamk.fi