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Today, technology touches every facet of our lives. Despite our generational differences on levels of ‘manual nostalgia’, we can’t deny tech being a big part of our day-to-day.
Of course, as with anything, technology brings both negatives and positives.
This piece, though, is all about the positives.
Join us as we delve into several life-changing tech projects across Europe. Projects that will impress you with their level of impact, innovative thinking, and sheer desire to truly help society.
1. MIRKO – A digital book-borrowing system
Originating from Estonia, MIRKO stands as a pioneering digital platform that democratizes access to literature and education. It’s as close as it gets to “Free books for everyone!”.
At its core, MIRKO addresses a significant barrier in education and accessibility: the cost and availability of books.
By allowing users to borrow digital books freely, MIRKO breaks down financial barriers. In doing so, it fosters a culture of reading and lifelong learning.
The impact of this initiative is profound.
It contributes to educational equality and supports literacy in underprivileged groups: students as well as low-income households. The narrative of MIRKO isn’t just about book borrowing. It’s about finding a way to gather 900 scattered libraries into a single solution in an ‘easy to use, easy to borrow’ type of way.
2. 7Sense – A Healthtech for people with impaired vision
7Sense is a technology designed to improve the quality of life for people with impaired vision.
This innovative solution leverages advanced sensors and real-time data processing. By leveraging this data they help visually impaired individuals navigate their environments.
7Sense doesn’t just help people move around more easily. It also lets them do more on their own and makes them less dependent on others. Imagine the positive effect 7Sense has – the levels of hope it gives to individuals facing many daily challenges.
Why is it so technologically intriguing?
Well, Madis Päev, the CEO of the company explains it all: “There are hundreds of smart devices aimed at the blind on the market, and they all try to solve the same problem in different ways. Our device is categorically different from the others because it can be used in a range of situations and is a platform that other specialized solutions can be built onto”.
Their long-term goal is to build a platform where developers can make their apps to support those in need. We wish them the best of luck in making these goals a reality.
3. Elsavie – Enhancing gut health
Did you know that about 70% of our immune system is located in the gut? Plus, it turns out, a happy microbiome is the key to our well-being.
That’s why Elsavie, a unique startup from Estonia, is so interesting. Unlike other projects on this list that look outward, Elsavie looks inward—quite literally!
Elsavie is backed by 20 years of scientific research on human gut health and microbiome. It focuses on gut health by analyzing blood and gut bacteria to give personalized diet advice. This can greatly improve health and cut down on diseases linked to lifestyle. Diseases that we have a lot of nowadays …Initially, Elsavie was an intriguing science project without the business know-how. When it was time to enter the market, we saw its potential and partnered to develop an app that would further their life-changing mission.
4. Single Earth – Turning nature into valuable assets
At the forefront of environmental innovation, Single Earth uses blockchain technology to create a real-time digital twin of the Earth. The one that monetizes the preservation of land instead of destruction.
Single Earth is an Estonian startup that helps landowners make money by keeping their land natural. As Forbes explains it, they tokenize the planet to save it. Here’s what they mean by this:
If you own a forest or any natural area, you can earn digital tokens called “merit tokens” by preserving the environment. This means instead of cutting down trees or changing the landscape to earn money, landowners get paid to keep things just the way they are.
This system uses technology to measure how much good the land is doing—like absorbing carbon dioxide from the air—and turns that into digital tokens that can be sold for money. It’s a way to make conservation profitable and encourage people to protect nature.
Their method makes ecological protection a financially attractive option. This pushes the boundaries of how we think about land use and conservation efforts.
5. Vok Bikes – Bikes instead of cars
Vok Bikes is revolutionizing urban delivery systems with heavy-duty electric cargo bikes designed for on-demand delivery companies. Vok Bikes addresses both environmental concerns by reducing carbon emissions and providing non-gas alternative for congested urban areas.
In simple terms, they make big, Tuk-Tuk-sized electric bikes that are used to deliver packages in cities. These bikes are special because they help reduce traffic jams and air pollution. They can load more packages than a single bike and don’t use gas like cars do.
Instead, they use space and electricity, which is more efficient and cleaner.
6. ALPA Kids – Interactive learning experience
Fun and play are crucial in kids’ learning processes. They help make learning engaging and memorable. When children enjoy what they’re doing, they are more likely to stay focused, absorb information better, and develop a positive attitude toward learning.
ALPA Kids knew this and decided to use tech to bring their know-how to life.
Their educational technology startup focuses on creating interactive apps for children to learn about languages, cultures, and nature through play. Their apps are designed to be entertaining just as kids love them.
Also, ALPA Kids makes learning accessible and fun for children regardless of their geographical location. This use of tech fosters inclusivity and broadens educational opportunities for children in underserved communities.
7. FitSphere – Activity rewarding app
Physical inactivity is a significant health issue, with the World Health Organization reporting that 1 in 4 adults globally are not active enough.
FitSphere is an app designed to combat this by rewarding users for physical activity. It tracks exercises and converts them into points that users can exchange for rewards. In doing so, they motivate people to move around more in their daily lives. The app addresses the crucial issue of modern sedentary lifestyles by incentivizing activity. This has huge potential to lead to reduced healthcare costs and healthier populations.
Know more socially impactful projects?
We’ve highlighted several inspiring tech projects across Europe, all using innovation to tackle real-world problems. From MIRKO, which opens up access to education, to Single Earth, which saves our forests, these initiatives show how technology can create positive changes in society.
We’re eager to learn about more projects from the Baltics that are making a difference. If you know of any, please share them with us. Let’s work together to support those who are pushing the boundaries of what technology can do for good.
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