Call for nominations: Product Development Path Makers Award 2026 is open
The Product Development Path Makers Award recognizes outstanding projects, experiments, and initiatives that open new pathways in product development. Established in 2024, the Finnish award highlights work that helps companies renew themselves, strengthens competitiveness, and creates solutions for the changing needs of society and the world.
In 2026, the award is organized by Aalto Design Factory, Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (TEK), the City of Espoo, Technology Industries of Finland, Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, Finnish Forest Industries, and TT Foundation. The call for nominations is open until 21 October 2026.
We are looking for a project, experiment, initiative, or activity that has created new opportunities and impact by:
- creating new customer value through pioneering product development practices,
- carrying out bold and successful experiments that challenge established norms, and
- demonstrating the potential to generate new opportunities beyond the experiment or activity itself.
The award may be granted to a project team or community that has carried out the experiment or activity. The Path Makers Award takes a broad view of product development as a multidisciplinary activity that can focus on physical or digital products, services, or processes.
Any individual, community, or organization may nominate an inspiring experiment, initiative, activity, or project for the award. A jury of experts and leaders will select four finalists from the nominations. Each finalist will receive a prize of 8 000 €. In addition, one finalist will be selected through a public vote to receive the Ekman Award, which is also worth 8 000 €.
"Espoo is known as a place where bold ideas can grow into practical solutions. Here, businesses, researchers, students, and city actors work together to build the future. That is why it is natural for us to be involved in recognizing new experiments and solutions that respond to the changing needs of the world. We are also proud that Espoo has become one of Europe's leading innovation and knowledge hubs. In 2025, over 70 % of all patent applications filed in Finland originated from Espoo, representing the fourth-highest number among European cities", says Mervi Heinaro, Deputy Mayor, City of Espoo.
2025 Award finalists
- Entteri – overcoming adoption barriers with its AI-powered X-ray image analysis software (Ekman Award winner)
- Saab – bringing a more product-driven and agile innovation model to the defence industry
- Betolar – transforming sustainable concrete production through data-driven, low-carbon material development
- Uute Scientific – advancing customer-driven iteration in microbial extract development across industries
"The winners of the Product Development Path Makers Award are excellent examples of how important agile development and collaboration are in product development. The journey from idea to innovation is long and complex, and product developers must be able to inspire others to join the change," says Prof. Tua Björklund, Director of Aalto University Design Factory and Chair of the Award Jury.