Matchmaking
The matchmaking session is designed to boost research, development, and innovation cooperation between universities, industry, and public actors.
Participants will have the opportunity to present new project ideas and connect with potential partners from other countries who share similar interests. Pitches can be used to introduce a new project concept, present an ongoing initiative, or seek partners for future research, development, and innovation projects.
The session will take place on September 24, 2026 from 10:30 to 11:30.
Ideas will be pitched as brief 5-minute presentations. A screen is available for pitchers to share a presentation from their own laptop. Each pitch will be followed by 10 minutes of discussion and networking.
To register for the matchmaking session, please send an email to scsr2026
lab [dot] fi (scsr2026[at]lab[dot]fi) including your name, organisation, the title of your pitch, and a short description of your topic.
Pitching session A
September 24
10:30-11:30
Event arena
10:30-10:45 CIRCUFISH: Building International Partnerships for a Circular Bioeconomy of Undervalued Fish Species
Dr. Mohammad Mozumder, Novia University of Applied Sciences
The pitch will introduce the CIRCUFISH research initiative, which aims to explore how circular-bioeconomy principles can be integrated into the governance, sustainable management, value chains, and food-system innovation surrounding undervalued fish species in Finland and the wider Nordic region.
10:50-11:05 Innovative models for collective community investment and ownership (Horizon NEB)
Olga Rantanen, LAB University of Applied Sciences
Developing new funding and co-ownership structures that empower citizens to invest directly in local green transitions.
11:10-11:25 Beyond the Runway: Ultra-Short Take-off and Landing Aviation on Simple Airfields
Minna-Maari Harmaala & Sirpa Lassila, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
The pitch will introduce a proposal idea for electric ultra-short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aviation using simple, non-airport airfields. It builds on two ongoing initiatives: the Helsinki–Tallinn feasibility study with Electra and the City of Helsinki, which is testing electric flight across the Gulf of Finland with an aircraft that needs only around 50 metres to take off and land, and INGERA, which is mapping how air traffic management needs to evolve for a future mix of conventional, hybrid and fully electric aircraft. Both point to the same open question: Europe still lacks a systematic approach to siting, certifying and integrating simple airfields – as opposed to full airports – into the air transport network. Haaga-Helia is looking for partners, including aircraft OEMs, regional airports and airfield operators, regulators and ANSPs, and cities or regions with short cross-water or cross-border routes, to develop this into a Horizon Europe / SESAR proposal.
Pitching session B
September 24
10:30-11:30
Event arena
10:30-10:45 Sustainable Social and Healthcare Leadership Skills for the Green Transition
Hanna Suutari, LAB University of Applied Sciences
The pitch will present a project concept designed to enhance the ability of health and social care leaders to embrace a holistic approach to sustainability and to provide them with participatory tools for evaluating the sustainability impacts of decision-making. We are currently looking for partners to join an Erasmus+ proposal planned for submission in early 2027.
10:50-11:05 GreenAbility: Building Competencies for Climate Action, Adaptability and Resilience
Maitrayee Mukerji, Indian School of Development Management
GreenAbility proposes to develop the entrepreneurial, digital and design competencies of young people and educators to understand climate change, design local responses, strengthen resilience, and develop entrepreneurial solutions for climate action and adaptation. It seeks to integrate adaptability, emotional well-being and entrepreneurial approaches to responding to climate change. The project seeks collaboration to develop a joint proposal exploring how the European competency frameworks LifeComp, EntreComp and GreenComp can be adapted and integrated for the Indian context.