Businesses, research institutes and public authorities in Denmark’s Central Jutland Region are collaborating to develop innovations for the health and welfare sector. The Circular Co-Creation project, led by the MedTech Innovation Consortium, has so far developed 18 potential products and services.
Danish collaborations create innovative solutions for health
- 10 December 2020
“It was really important for our sales and employment to get involved in this collaboration. We have sold the Dementia Comrade to nine municipalities, where a total of 14 care centers use the tool. Another five municipalities are implementing it, and new municipalities are constantly being added.”
A crutch made from sustainable materials, a solution to help dementia sufferers, an interactive display for hospital rooms, and a park that helps rehabilitate patients, are among the solutions developed so far.
Each innovation begins with a need identified by a hospital or municipality. Three small or medium-sized companies (SMEs) and at least one research institute, but often more, participate in each partnership. This provides the businesses taking part with a clear market demand.
They can test their new concept, service or prototype in a real-world healthcare context. Many of the new prototypes and business models are headed for market.
New products and services
Thirty-nine businesses have collaborated with research institutions on the five-year project, which is scheduled to end in February 2021.
One project developed a sustainable crutch for people who have trouble walking. Several new materials that are more ecological and durable than traditional materials were tested. The research team passed the concept onto a company that is well-suited to take the product to market.
Another project is the Dementia Comrade. The idea originated from a dementia care centre and led to a collaboration between regional government, three companies and the centre for ageing and dementia at VIA University College in Aarhus. The goal is to ensure higher-quality patient care.
Solutions for a range of situations
A project entitled ‘the interactive patient room’ developed a concept that allows patients to independently control features like lighting and temperature in their hospital room using a digital display.
Outdoor spaces are benefiting from these collaborations too. The SPARK park, at the Marselisborgcentret rehabilitation hospital in Aarhus, will be the world's first park that combines health and recreation with rehabilitation. The EUR 6 million outdoor space will use digital solutions to collect data on the progress of patients.
There are many more projects in development. Twenty-six companies received support to introduce new products. Four new companies have launched as a result of the project.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Circular Co-Creation” is EUR 3 920 000, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 960 000 through the “Innovation and Sustainable Growth in Businesses” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Increase the number of innovative SMEs”.