Innovation projects
From Challenge to Change
The world needs bold creativity and the mindset to bring it to life. That’s why we run hands-on innovation and startup projects, connecting proactive talents with curious industry experts based on the results.
How It Began and How’s It Going?
Born in Tampere, Finland, as an industry initiative, Demola began from a simple insight: industry leaders were seeking outside perspectives to break free from conventional thinking. We turned to universities and students who were full of bright, bold ideas not yet affected by the status quo. What started as a local experiment – inviting students to work on innovation projects with companies – quickly proved its value.
Over the years, the award-winning Demola process has evolved into a dynamic international platform connecting industry, academia, and startups. We’re dedicated to rewiring ecosystems with a practical, hands-on mindset and a finely tuned approach to co-creation that delivers tangible results.
Continuous Innovation
Every year, Demola runs innovation project topics that cut across industries and shape how we live, work, and behave in the future. For example, our past projects have dealt with the green gap, AI in healthcare, immersive sports broadcasting, and human-technology interaction. In fact, our strength lies in systematically connecting insights from past projects to speed up the teams’ learning process and spot new opportunities. Most importantly, the projects allow us to connect the right emerging talents, dedicated professors, and insightful industry leaders, experts and investors.
Who Is It For?
Demola projects can be part of, or lead toward, a Master’s thesis, a startup programme, or an ongoing industry–academia collaboration, among other possibilities.
For Emerging Talents: Place to Showcase Your Mindset
In the AI-driven era, your skills, mindset, and ability to collaborate are your greatest assets. Whether you're a university student, a graduate, or a professional exploring a new career path, Demola projects are designed to convert your potential into proven competence.
For Companies & Organisations: From Insights to Scalable Innovation
Move beyond isolated experiments and build sustained innovation capacity. Demola offers a partnership model for scaled co-creation, grounded in the understanding that early-stage innovation – like venture investment – yields exceptional returns when managed strategically and at scale.
For University Staff: Inspire Students & Amplify Industry Cooperation
Collaborate with Demola to integrate industry-driven innovation into your curriculum. Our project topics are co-designed with industry and public-sector partners, and teams are supported by experienced facilitators. Both students and faculty can benefit from valuable cross-disciplinary connections.
Our Commitment:
Expertise Driving Co-Creation
The Demola experience wouldn’t be what it is without the deep involvement of the Demola Global core team. Our founding team consists of experts with over a decade of international innovation and startup development experience across over 35 countries. Over the years, we have maintained an approach that combines active, hands-on engagement with innovation teams during projects and committed support for further developing the results – both by helping our partner companies apply the findings and by assisting teams as they advance their ideas within our startup programmes. This dedication lies at the heart of our success – and the success of those we work with. Currently, we are focused on scaling our core ecosystem and creating international cross-connections, for example, in Finland and Czechia.
93%
Of participants agree project has grown capabilities for working life.
82/
100
Perceived level of inspiration towards results.
85/
100
Perceived level of satisfaction on facilitation.
Visit Demola events
Visit our public events to find out about the ongoing interesting projects, meet the emerging talents and company partners.
Budapest
Milestone Event
21/05/2025
Demola Budapest Finals Spring 2025
Prague
Milestone Event
15/05/2025
Demola Czechia National Finals
Tampere
Milestone Event
08/05/2025
Spring Showcase: Innovation + Startups
Oulu
Milestone Event
29/04/2025
Demola Oulu Finals Spring 2025
Helsinki
Milestone Event
12/12/2024
National Demola Finals 2024
Vaasa
Milestone Event
10/12/2024
Local Demola Finals in Vaasa
Demola stories
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Articles
14/10/2024
Autumn 2024 Portfolio at Demola: Where Creativity Meets Industry for Future Solutions
Demola is already building the future through its Autumn 2024 Innovation Portfolio . This season’s projects tackle some of the most pressing global issues, focusing on sustainability, emerging technologies, and the future of work.
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Articles
04/10/2024
Shaping Tomorrow’s Innovations: Why Leading Companies Partner with Demola
In today’s rapidly evolving world, businesses need fresh ideas and innovative thinking more than ever. Demola , a global co-creation platform, brings together companies and talented university students to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. By collaborating with young innovators, companies gain unique insights into emerging trends and strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
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Articles
01/02/2024
Kuka? Mikä Demola? Missä?
(ENG: As our hubs in Finland are growing in numbers, we thought it would be nice to give a brief introduction to Demola’s innovation projects also in Finnish. Please click "In English" for the English translation.) Demola-projekteja on tehty Suomessa jo vuodesta 2008, ja kansainvälisen osallistujajoukkomme ansiosta työkielemme on aina ollut englanti. Vaikka työkieleemme ei ole tullut muutosta, Suomessa olevien hubiemme eli paikallisten toimipisteidemme kasvaessa ajattelimme, että pieni paketti Demolasta suomeksi olisi paikallaan. Tässä siis lyhyt katsaus Demola-projekteista toisella kotimaisella kielellämme.
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Showcase Your Talent
Join Demola and work on career-relevant projects with global impact.
