NOTE: The 2020 edition of the “What wood you do” innovation competition is now closed. Stay tuned for upcoming competitions.

What wood you do –

to boost the forest bioeconomy?

Spring 2020 Paper Province announced an international innovation competition with new forest-based ideas in focus. The 2020 edition is now closed, but more competitions will be launched in the future. We hope to hear from you then.

The first “What wood you do” competition took place March – June and the six best ideas were invited to a final event in Sweden 24 Seeptember 2020.

The finalists got to share their innovative ideas with the world, refine them with help of innovation and industry experts, and ultimately pitch their ideas to a jury. They also received media attention.

Prize: The winner of the competition won a prize of  €25,000 and the option to get business support from the incubator Sting Bioeconomy during one year.

First prize:  €25,000

Second to fifth prize: €2,500

Funders: County Administrative Board Värmland and Region of Värmland

Project Coordinator: Paper Province

Terms and conditions for participation →

Contest entries must meet
the following requirements:

  • Contribute to the development of the forest bioeconomy
  • Contribute to increased sustainability and/or the Global Goals of Agenda 2030
  • Be unique
  • Be scalable

Jury: The jury members consist of business leaders, innovation experts and investors:

 

JON HAAG

Vice President Business & Innovation Area Material Transition
at RISE.

 

A long time innovation and business development strategist within packaging and bioeconomy. Experienced from three startups within the industry and several large innovation initiatives. The magic usually appears when technology, innovation, sustainability, communication and business models meet, hence multidisciplinary teams usually succeeds. At RISE, the focus is set on making key materials streams far more circular than today, like packaging, textiles, composites and plastics.

ANDERS BROLIN

Research Advisor at Stora Enso.

 

Experienced leader of industrial research and innovation, currently focussing on enhancing industry – institute – academy collaboration in the circular bioeconomy.

Experiences include organisational leadership and development, Intellectual properties as well as start-up and incubation coaching.

MARCUS ELMER

Business Analyst at Business Värmland.

 

Background in Engineering Physics and Big Data Analysis, and innovation management in the forest industry and in the automotive industry at Volvo Trucks. A strong passion for pushing new technologies to create green products and future green growth opportunities.

MARIA HOLLANDER

CEO Paper Province.

 

CEO of Paper Province since 2011. Strong experience in leadership, change management, regional and cluster development.  Appointed as one of the three leading cluster leaders in Europe 2019, 16 years experience in leading positions within the IT industry (Ericsson, Tieto).

 

LARS STIGSSON

Experienced entrepreneur.

 

Demonstrated history of establishing new companies within the forest and chemicals industry sectors. Skilled in Research and Development (R&D), Intellectual Property, Chemical Engineering, Circular Textiles and Renewable Fuels. Strong professional with a Master Degree in Chemical Engineering from Institute of Technology at Lund University. Polhem price laureate in 2018.

EVA KARLSSON

SVP Central & South market area at Sveaskog.

 

Experienced Board Member with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Process Control, Operations Management, International Business, Biofuels, and Biomass. Strong business development professional with a MSc focused in Chemical Engineering from Chalmers tekniska högskola.