During the second accelerator programme, from September to December 2021, start-ups will have the opportunity to work on current sustainability challenges together with market-leading companies. The second programme of the Accelerator aims to foster co-creation also between market-leading companies and to ensure sustainable innovation across industries. Citadele Bank has joined the second programme as a co-organiser.
To foster the development of innovations that offer sustainable solutions and strive for a better future, Helve launched the first open innovation accelerator in the Baltics, Future Hub, at the end of 2020. The accelerator brings together European start-ups with Baltic companies to create practical solutions to corporate sustainability challenges. The organisers say the programme aims to encourage both green tech start-ups and market-leading companies in the Baltics to form new collaborations and grow through co-creation.
“Co-creation and open innovation processes are powerful tools for business development, but successful sustainability innovations go far beyond a single company or even an industry. To co-create a sustainable business environment and world around us, co-creation across industries is only the logical next step. Already during the first programme, we saw a willingness among companies to learn from each other and to collaborate. We are delighted that Citadele has joined us as co-organisers of the programme and that we have been able to embed new co-creation opportunities into the accelerator programme. We will launch the second programme with a new goal – to foster co-creation in sustainability not only between startups and companies, but also between market leaders themselves,” says Marija Ručevska, co-founder and CEO of Helve.
Citadele banka joins the second Future Hub programme not only as one of the companies that will work with the startups, but also as co-organisers of the programme. Citadele’s participation aims to change the way companies look at sustainability and drive the business environment to see sustainability as a common goal for all. As part of the accelerator, Citadele will foster co-creation with other companies by leveraging proven successful innovation processes within the bank, as well as by sharing experience, knowledge and data.
“It is with great pleasure and great expectations that we join forces with the Helve team and other like-minded individuals to create practical tools for Baltic businesses to overcome sustainability challenges in this powerful accelerator that brings together European and Baltic start-ups. It is clear that only together with big companies, ambitious start-ups and experienced experts can we find the best solutions and develop sustainable innovations. Citadele is ready to contribute its input and expertise in developing the best cross-industry sustainable business innovation ideas,” says Vladislav Mironov, Citadele Board Member for Strategy Implementation, Digital and Business Development.
The leading companies in the Baltic market that have already joined the Future Hub have also set their own sustainability challenges, which will serve as a basis for cooperation with start-ups. The co-organiser of the accelerator, Citadele, has set two challenges – the bank’s team is looking for solutions for ESG data analysis, as well as sustainable lending and investment product development. From the first programme, Rimi Baltic Group joins the accelerator, looking for sustainable e-commerce packaging solutions. Latvenergo Future Hub is also joining for the second time and is looking for solutions for power system resilience and ways to digitise power generation equipment. New challenges are added to the programme on a regular basis. All the accelerator challenges and the companies behind them can be found on the Future Hub official website.
The Co-creation Accelerator is currently inviting applications for the Future Hub from start-ups in the Baltic, Nordic and near-Central European region working in areas such as food, agriculture, mobility, urban, energy, supply chain logistics, CO2 metering, ESG and others. Teams are also invited to apply for specific challenges.
