Tampere challenged businesses and citizens to develop digital solutions that encourage to improve health, well-being and self-care with an idea competition.
The idea competition called Well-being with Digital Solutions searched innovative digital solutions that motivate and encourage citizens to improve their health, well-being and selfcare.
The idea competition supported the target that in 2025 at least 75% of the well-being services offered by the city are digital. At the same time the city wanted to re-enforce services that are preventive and have easy access.
The competition had two categories: one for businesses and the other for the citizens. The business competition received total 15 ideas and the citizens category received 9 ideas.
Businesses were asked to present in-development solutions that had not yet been commercialised. Three best ideas were rewarded with cash prize and in addition the ideas may be purchased by the City without any prior competitive tendering procedure or they may be taken as part of R&D project of the City.
Citizens were asked to present ideas where already existing technology could be utilized or raise challenges that would need a digital solution development.
Resources needed
The top three entries in business category were granted cash prizes (3,000, 2,000 and 1,000 euros).
The R&D phase costs to the city were €21,000 + VAT and the need for city development resources was 60–70 hours.
Workload: approx. 50 person days (two main preparing parties).
Evidence of success
A competition is an excellent way to find a development partner for tackling a specific challenge. The winner in the business category was Klinik Finland with online self-assessment service. The service makes it it easier to find the right healthcare service and decreases unnecessary doctor appointments. The victory encouraged Klinik to continue development projects with cities. The winner idea in the citizens´ category was a digital friendship portal which increases social interaction.
Difficulties encountered
The challenge presented by the city was fairly loosely defined, so a more specified challenge could help the organisation itself to commit to possible further development. The question of how to reach the potential businesses must be considered in advance. The method involves a lot of work, too.
Potential for learning or transfer
An idea competition is a good way of building development partnerships and increase innovation potential.
An idea competition requires resources and genuine willingness among service areas of the city to participate in the development of a possible solution.
Tags: Business, Competitiveness, Design, Development, Digitalisation, Innovation, Procurement, Public sector, Sharing ideas
