For the fourth year in a row, the DigitalWell Awards are being organised by the Compare-led initiative DigitalWell Arena. The event recognises good examples that contribute to the development of future digital health services. Voting is currently underway to select the winners in the four different categories of the awards, which will be presented during the evening at Olssons Bazar in Karlstad on 13 June.
At the same time, the idea has emerged to create a day that gives an even greater impact to all partners and good forces in the ecosystem around DigitalWell Arena. This has now resulted in a smorgasbord of activities – where the whole of Karlstad is transformed into an innovation arena.
– “It’s incredibly inspiring that so many organisations have wanted to contribute. We are all part of the same ecosystem, and during this day we can actually show in practice what we mean by an innovation ecosystem,” says Jonas Matthing, Process Manager for DigitalWell Arena.
Academic excellence and internationally recognised speakers
In total, there are nine different activities to take part in during the day, with the DigitalWell Awards offering a common meeting place for mingling and networking in the evening. The content covers a wide range, from seminars on how public procurement can pave the way for new opportunities for innovation, to listening to startups and how open data can help solve public sector challenges.
The single biggest event is the Service Innovation Day, organised annually by the Centre for Service Research at Karlstad University. This time, the focus is on how digitalisation can contribute to better health. Several internationally recognised speakers will also attend the various events during the day, such as New Zealand economics professor Jason Potts and Anders Jönsson, Chief of Innovation Policy Section at UNECE.
Karlstad in the centre
The municipality of Karlstad is both a stage and a key player during the day. The municipality participates in a majority of the events organised, including several activities where citizens are invited to take part in innovation in practice. For example, how an interactive park bench on Stora Torget, part of the Smart & Safe project, can increase safety in public spaces.
– “I think this day shows that there is a solid commitment to this type of issue, where we work systematically on both digital development and innovation. It also lays a foundation for the picture of the future we are trying to paint, with the city as an arena for innovation,” says Thomas Wernerheim, innovation strategist at Karlstad Municipality.
In addition to the events organised during the day, Karlstad Municipality is also launching its new website, Smarta Karlstad, to make this work visible.
– “It is gratifying to be able to manifest things – the website will be a symbol of that. We will showcase a lot of innovation initiatives of various kinds that are underway. The aim is to include something from all 16 organisations at the launch – making it more concrete. From school meals to procurement,” says Mr Wernerheim.
Jason Potts, Lina Svensberg, Carolin Maule, Kjell-Håkan Närfelt, Thomas Wernerheim, Ann-Sophie Gustafsson, Jonas Matthing and Ann Otto Nemes are some of the participants who will help to focus on innovation and health on 13 June in Karlstad.
Here you can find a list of the activities offered during the day:
AI Workshop
When: 10 am to 3 pm (drop in)
Where: Skaparverkstan, Karlstad City Library
Organiser: Karlstad Municipality
About the event: Experience the technology of the future at Innovation Day in Karlstad! Come and explore AI with Kodcentrum and Karlstad City Library! Children aged 9-12 are welcome to try their hand at training an AI during our drop-in activity. Learn about the possibilities and challenges of AI while getting an exciting insight into how technology is changing the world.
Seminar: The city as an arena for innovation NOTE! 12 June
When: 13.00 to 16.00
Where: Värmlands Museum, Västra Torggatan 31
Organiser: Karlstad Municipality, DigitalWell Arena
More information and registration: https://digitalwellarena.se/2024/05/20/seminarium-staden-som-innovationsarena/
About the event: Karlstad Municipality, and the ecosystem around DigitalWell Arena, has been positioned as one of Sweden’s most innovative environments for utilising the city as a breeding ground for innovation. On 12 June, we invite you to a seminar to tell you more about what this means.
Innovation Commons: Seminar with Jason Potts, Vinnova, DigitalWell Arena
When: 10.30 to 12.00
Where: Värmlands Museum, Västra Torggatan 31
Organiser: Vinnova, DigitalWell Arena, Region Värmland
More information and registration: Seminar – Innovation Commons with Jason Potts – Region Värmland (regionvarmland.se)
About the event: Presentation of conclusions linked to the innovation commons feasibility study. Panel discussion with Jason Potts, Kjell-Håkan Närfelt, Anders Olsson and Lina Svensberg
Service Innovation Day 2024: Digitalisation for better health
When: 13:00 to 16:00
Where: Karlstad CCC, Tage Erlandersgatan 8
Organiser: Karlstad University, CTF
More information and registration: Service Innovation Day 2024: Digitalisation for better health | Karlstad University (kau.se)
About the event: The Centre for Service Research (CTF) at Karlstad University invites you to Service Innovation Day 2024 – a seminar where researchers and practitioners offer interesting lectures and discussions focusing on behavioural science, digitalisation and innovation. Knowledge that can be used to create better products and services and a more sustainable societal development.
Open data in Karlstad municipality
When: 13.15 to 14.15
Where: Karlstadrummet, Norra strandgatan
Organiser: Karlstad municipality
Registration: No pre-registration required
About the event: An inspirational event for those who want to know more about open data. What is it? What is it for? Do we have to work with it? Fredrik Eriksson from the National Data Workshop will give a digital presentation on the theme. The primary target group is managers and officials who work with business development and digitalisation in various forms.
Tech & innovation for tomorrow’s business
When: 13.00 to 14.45
Where: Karlstad CCC, Tage Erlandersgatan 8
Organiser: Compare
More information and registration: Tech & innovation for tomorrow’s business – Compare
About the event: Do you want to help solve societal challenges and create tomorrow’s business? On 13 June, Compare welcomes you to an event on how innovation with tech can create a better and more sustainable society. We are targeting leaders in the regional business community who want to explore Värmland’s ability to innovate with tech, while shaping the business of the future.
The interactive park bench – how to increase safety in public spaces
When: 11.00-13.00 & 16.00-18.00 (drop in)
Where: Stora Torget
Organiser: Smart & Safe project
About the activity: Near the kiosk on Stora Torget you will discover the interactive park bench equipped with automatic lighting, which contributes to increased safety in the evening. It is also possible to connect to Wi-Fi and charge your mobile phone via the bench. There are also ambitions for it to be able to talk.
The (L)bracelet – Safety on the wrist
When: 11.00-13.00 & 16.00-18.00 (drop in)
Where: Pedestrian and cycle path at the north-east corner of Mariebergsviken
Organiser: Smart & Safe project
About the activity: Try the (L)bracelet – a personal alarm in the form of a scrunchie hair cord developed by Karlstad-based JA company SafeStyle. A simple push of a button activates an SMS with GPS position that is sent to predefined recipients. During the day, the possibility of connecting the alarm to street lighting will also be tested.
DigitalWell Ventures showcase: Startups in health innovation
When: 12.00 to 13.00
Where: Hotel Fratelli, Drottninggatan 17
Organiser: DigitalWell Ventures
More information and registration: Registration DigitalWell Showcase 13th of June 2024 at Hotel Fratelli in Karlstad, 12.00-13.00 (physical) (airtable.com)
About the event: Come and be inspired and listen to short live pitches from startups in digital health innovation. The companies will present their solutions for both preventive health and the public sector. They are all examples of companies that, in different ways, come from DigitalWell’s innovation support, incubator or accelerator.
