Frugal Innovation Community

This is an initiative from The Nordic Frugal Innovation Society (TNFIS, http://tnfis.org), a registered non-profit association in Finland since 2014.

What is Frugal innovation?

Frugal innovations are quality, accessible, affordable and sustainable solutions created under constraints. The path leading to these solutions can be via open innovation, co-creation, inclusive innovation, DIY/maker movement or the themes of circular economy (product as a service, systems thinking, design thinking, no waste).

Why?

The core reasons for creating TNFIS and our activities including InnoFrugal (http://innofrugal.com) annual conference are -

• Need for quality, accessible, affordable solutions in price-sensitive emerging markets.
• Slow/jobless growth, deleveraging, ageing population, stagnant wages, long-term unemployed leading to rising inequalities in developed countries.
• In addition, environmental sustainability is an important factor too in order to mitigate global warming and other environmental risks.

At TNFIS, we want businesses to respond to limitations in resources; whether financial, material or institutional, and turn these constraints into innovative ideas and practical solutions.

Open Ecosystem Network

We are happy to be partnering with Nokia on the Open Ecosystem Network to bring together world class organizations and bright people to create more inclusive societies.

The first step is creating a Frugal Innovation community in the Open Ecosystem Network. We link it with our annual conference - InnoFrugal. So, members from the community can connect, share ideas with each other online and work on them in-person at the conference workshops and networking sessions. With input from the world class facilitators and speakers at InnoFrugal, members have the chance to improve and develop them further.

And of course after the conference, the collaboration activity continues on the Open Ecosystem Network and later other offline gatherings.

InnoFrugal 2018  

On Day 1 (May 7, 2018) we have 3 parallel workshops with hands-on methodology to get the most out for yourself as an individual and also with takeaways to be implemented for your business -

WORKSHOP 1

Breaking Through Into Emerging Markets With Cost-Effective Electric Vehicles and Advanced Mobility Ecosystem  

Facilitator – Dr Steve Simplay, CTO, Chinese EV Startup; Formerly Head of Automotive Strategy at Tata Technologies

WORKSHOP 2  

Affordable Medtech Solutions Towards Creating Healthcare Access For All

Facilitator – Dr Prashant Jha, Fellowship Director, School of International Biodesign, AIIMS, India

WORKSHOP 3  

Adapting Frugal Innovation Principles to Enterprise Technology Innovation for Smart City and Circular Economy initiatives  

Facilitator – Roney Soloman, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Ignitho Technologies UK Limited

On Day 2 (May 8, 2018) of InnoFrugal, we have set aside the whole day for discussions on available financing opportunities in the form of Impact Investors (especially European Business Angels Network Impact Community + Impact VCs), Corporate VC, State Supported Financial Organizations, Philanthropies and Charities from Europe, Asia & Africa. The topics that will be showcased and discussed will include Social Enterprises, Impact Investing, IP Rights, Gender Lens, Blended Finance, B-Corps etc.

We will also be doing a startup pitching contest for the 2nd straight year with great dealflow incorporated. More details of this will be released in early 2018.

On both days, we will make sure that there will be ample time for networking & matchmaking opportunities.

Welcome to the Frugal Innovation community at Open Ecosystem Network & InnoFrugal 2018!