# Neurochallenge 2024 – Solutions for better brain health among working aged with a national innovation competition

> Innovation competition advancing brain health with groundbreaking solutions for the working-aged people.

## Overview
The Olvi Foundation Neurochallenge innovation competition was organized on November 7-9, 2024, at the Savonia University of Applied Sciences campus in Savilahti, Kuopio. The event began with a scientific seminar to define the need for new brain health innovations, followed by two days of intensive ideation and development supported by mentors.

The competition brought together over 50 participants, including researchers, individuals, companies, and students, to address the mission of seeking solutions that promote the brain health and wellbeing of the working-aged population.

## Mentors and Jury
The teams were supported by a facilitated innovation process and the following mentors:
*   Antti Kotimaa (RDI Expert at Savonia)
*   Matti Laitinen (Innovation advisor at Business Center North Savo)
*   Piritta Parkkari (Impact Manager of UEF’s Neuro-Innovation Programme)
*   Jussi Tohka (Professor of biomedical image analysis, UEF)
*   Minna Komu (Director of OuluHealth)
*   Jetro Tuulari (Director of Turku Brain and Mind)
*   Aki Gröhn (CEO of Kuopio Health co-op)
*   Eero Rissanen (Director, Neurocenter Finland)

The competition jury consisted of:
*   Mikael Fraunberg (Professor and head of neurosurgery at OYS)
*   Pasi Sorvisto (Director of Spark Finland)
*   Minna Hendolin (The Director of Impact at UEF)
*   Jarno Mikkonen (Senior IPR Advisor at JUY)
*   Minna Aronen (Board member at Olvi-säätiö)

The jury evaluated the 14 presented solutions based on novelty, feasibility, impact, and scientific validity.

## Competition Winners and Honorary Mentions

### Winner (12 000 €): Team Quiscent
*   **Team Members:** Aravinth Ravichandran (MSc Photonics, Doctoral researcher in metabolic MRI of stroke, UEF) and Purbanka Pahari (Doctoral Researcher, M.E. Biomedical Engineering, UEF).
*   **Idea:** An optics-based obstructive sleep apnea treatment device. It uses optical neuromodulation technology to initiate normal breathing when an obstruction is sensed, without compromising sleep quality.

### Winner (8 000 €): OXIBAND
*   **Team Members:** Ramesh Ekambaram (Ph.D. student at OAMK), Mikias Lewoyehu Wondie (Medical Doctor, MPH student at UEF), and Samuli Lipponen (Nutritionist and Project Researcher at UEF).
*   **Idea:** A wearable cerebral oximeter that measures brain tissue oxygen saturation using infrared light technology to prevent cerebrovascular accidents related to chronic hypoxia.

### Honorary Mention: MyNursie Team
*   **Team Members:** Suvi Suutarinen, Pauliina Koukkari, and Kelvin Aliche.
*   **Idea:** A self-monitoring application featuring a dedicated migraine module to help users track symptoms, triggers, and treatment responses.

### Honorary Mention: AIvoSense
*   **Team Members:** Albert Bellmunt Gil and Eman Hassanain.
*   **Idea:** A real-time monitoring and prediction app for the nicotine dependence cycle and relapse, utilizing behavioral and physiological data from a wearable device.

## Partners and Challenges
The event featured specific challenges provided by industry partners:
*   **Novartis Finland:** Focused on supporting people with multiple sclerosis in working life.
*   **Lundbeck:** Focused on managing migraine attacks and supporting the functioning of people suffering from migraines through new technologies. Lundbeck also sponsored the event's catering.

## Organizers
The event was organized in cooperation with:
*   Neurocenter Finland
*   Kuopio Brain & Mind
*   Savonia University of Applied Sciences
*   University of Eastern Finland
*   Business Center North-Savo