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FRUSH - Circular Economy Event for Startups and Growth Enterprises
Published on 20 December 2018
Finland
Etelä-Suomi
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
FRUSH is an annual circular economy business, expertise and funding event held in September in the city of Forssa, Finland. The two arranging parties are Häme University of Applied Sciences, HAMK and Forssa Business Development Ltd, FYKKI (owned by City of Forssa).
FRUSH originates from the results of SYMBI project, as from the studies conducted within the project a general lack of knowledge towards Circular Economy (CE) and Industrial Symbiosis (IS) was noticed. In addition, other projects have shown that new innovations and start-ups are in difficulties to find investors to get their ideas and/or products launched.
To overcome the above mentioned problems Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) and Forssa Business Development Ltd (FYKKI) started the chain of FRUSH events. There are similar types of matchmaking events for start-ups and SME’s existing elsewhere but FRUSH is the only one concentrating in CE and IS.
FRUSH entails:
- speeches by respected professionals, decision makers and innovators
- workshops etc. for students to encourage them to develop CE and IS
- pitching competition for start-ups to find investors
- business to business matchmaking meetings
- exhibition of new innovations and products based on CE
- international event for exchanging experiences and to develop collaboration.
Vision driving the event forward is to be the leading national circular economy event. FRUSH2019 is organised 18th -19th September 2019 in Forssa, Finland.
FRUSH originates from the results of SYMBI project, as from the studies conducted within the project a general lack of knowledge towards Circular Economy (CE) and Industrial Symbiosis (IS) was noticed. In addition, other projects have shown that new innovations and start-ups are in difficulties to find investors to get their ideas and/or products launched.
To overcome the above mentioned problems Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) and Forssa Business Development Ltd (FYKKI) started the chain of FRUSH events. There are similar types of matchmaking events for start-ups and SME’s existing elsewhere but FRUSH is the only one concentrating in CE and IS.
FRUSH entails:
- speeches by respected professionals, decision makers and innovators
- workshops etc. for students to encourage them to develop CE and IS
- pitching competition for start-ups to find investors
- business to business matchmaking meetings
- exhibition of new innovations and products based on CE
- international event for exchanging experiences and to develop collaboration.
Vision driving the event forward is to be the leading national circular economy event. FRUSH2019 is organised 18th -19th September 2019 in Forssa, Finland.
Resources needed
FRUSH has been arranged with minimum resources by HAMK and FYKKI. The budget of the event has been around 15 000 euros. FRUSH2019 will be free of charged for participants. From 2020 onwards the idea is to cover all expenses by participation fees and co-operation with companies.
Evidence of success
FRUSH has been arranged two times. The feedback is encouraging: the number of participants in 2018 was quadruple from 2017 and plenty of participants announced their interest to join the event in 2019 as well. The event is annually growing and getting more international as well.
The pitching competition has helped start-ups and growth enterprises to get funding and recognisability. The competition has also helped some businesses to launch their products.
The pitching competition has helped start-ups and growth enterprises to get funding and recognisability. The competition has also helped some businesses to launch their products.
Potential for learning or transfer
FRUSH event can be transferred in other regions easily. The program and agenda of FRUSH is not fixed but instead alters based on the current needs and themes around the theme of CE. The agenda can be modified according to local/regional needs/circumstances. The need for knowledge and information about CE and IS is recognized in all SYMBI partner countries (which indicates the need for the same kind of activities all over Europe). In addition, the presence of university students should not be under estimated, as also they can be the ones to create innovations as long as they are encouraged in their efforts. Start-ups and SME’s are missing investors to launch their innovations. Matchmaking should be the leading target for this type of events to get fast enough progress among Circular Economy.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Häme University of Applied Sciences - HAMK
Finland
Etelä-Suomi
Contact
Project Manager