Co2gether managed to win the first prize, as it has experienced executives in the field of consulting, implementation of programs in the area of social cohesion, as well as coordination and marketing. Furthermore, it has developed a network of cooperation abroad, specifically in France.
Co2gether’s participation in the European INTECMED program aimed to raise resources and know-how so that the Co-Solidarity Platform business idea could become sustainable and successful.
The three-day event themed “INTECMED – Mediterranean Innovation Days” was co-organized by the Chamber of Achaia and the University of Patras, with the support of PATRAS IQ. At the same time, the conference was organized in the context of the implementation of the European project INTECMED – “Incubators for the search for innovation and transfer of know-how in the Mediterranean region” (ENICBCMED Funding Program 2014 – 2020), in which the Chamber of Achaia is the leader, while the University of Patras participates as a partner in the partnership.
32 startups from the 4 countries implementing the project – Greece, Spain, Tunisia and Egypt – participated through an open invitation, in a mentoring program, support and guidance in the development of innovative business plans (Tutorship).
The business support awards (sub-grants) of the INTECMED Innovative Business Ideas Competition that were awarded had a total value of €60,000. The awards concerned the 3 most innovative ideas from the region of Western Greece to support the actions required for the operation of their business and the implementation of the innovative idea in the market. The first prize was worth 30,000 euros and was given to the business idea “Co-Solidarity Platform”, the second prize worth 20,000 euros went to the business idea “Terra” and the third prize to the business idea “Doctor bot” 10,000 euros.
The Co-Solidarity platform initiative concerns the creation of an innovative local social and circular economy ecosystem. It started in September 2022 and since then the core technology platform and serious game have been developed. At the same time, community trainings and home actions have been developed, which are implemented by the Co2gether scientific team and have a supporting role in the Co-Solidarity Platform.
It also has strategic partners; InterMediaKT as an IT partner with executive potential of web developers, ICT consultants and as simulation manager the Patient Care Simulation Laboratory of the School of Nursing of the University of Patras. The foreign supplier for the products is the French NGO SECOL.
The business concept of the cosolidarity platform includes exchange, reuse and donation/purchase:
– Sterile medical equipment (e.g. gauze, laparotomy sets, operating room sets, obstetrics sets, anesthesia sets)
– Personal Hygiene & Personal Care Items (e.g. masks, gloves, incontinence aids, oximeters, sugar meters)
– Equipment for home care (e.g. hospital beds, air mattresses)
– Walking, moving and transport aids (e.g. manual wheelchairs, scooters, simple and wheeled walkers, simple canes and quadrupeds).
The presentation of business ideas as well as plans was of great interest to the entrepreneurs of our region, who wanted to develop new partnerships and were interested in investing in innovative business ideas.
