News

Aalto led consortium GMeRitS awarded Blockchains for Social Good prize

The prize awarded by the Enhanced European Innovation Council EIC is worth a million euros and was granted for work on the social effectiveness of blockchain technology.
Kauppakorkeakoulun rakennus Ekonominaukio 1:ssä

GMeRitS, a consortium led by researchers at Aalto University, has been granted the Blockchains for Social Good prize by the Enhanced European Innovation Council (EIC). The motivation for the prize was GMeRitS’ research work on the social effectiveness of blockchains.

Aalto University / Työelämäprofessori Pekka Nikander
Professor of Practice Pekka Nikander from the School of Electrical Engineering.

‘The new features of the digital economy cannot be fully utilized with the current instruments of the economy. Unlike material goods, which are depleted when they are used, many digital assets actually get better when they are being used and shared. This immaterial value exchange cannot yet be fully measured and the value created in this kind of exchange cannot be effectively distributed or taxed. Our consortium has conducted scientific research and practical experiments on blockchain technology and paved the way for new forms of incentivization, accounting and even taxation innovations', says Professor of Practice Pekka Nikander from the School of Electrical Engineering.

The goal of the prize is to support efforts in exploring the applications of blockchains also outside their traditional domains. Blockchain technology can be utilized also in social innovation, for example in enhancing the transparency of public processes, the management of public records, or participation in democratic decision-making.

In addition to Aalto University, GMeRitS consortium includes the Politecnico di Milano University, as well as the startup and scaleup organizations Mesensei (Otaniemi, A-Grid), Novact (Barcelona), and Merits (Milan).

Kuvassa näkyy yliopistonlehtori Ville Eloranta.
University lecturer Ville Eloranta from the School of Business.

'Aalto’s share of the million euro prize sum is 250 000 euros. We will use these resources to conduct experiments, build communities, and develop teaching. The research questions we are tackling with our consortium are so complex that we need large-scale cooperation involving many different stakeholders and extending beyond traditional research partners', says University Lecturer Ville Eloranta from the School of Business.

More information:

University Lecturer Ville Eloranta
Aalto University School of Business, Department of Management Studies (IDBM)
[email protected]
+358 40 706 7012

CEO Tuukka Ylälahti
Mesensei Oy (A Grid)
[email protected]
+358 40 041 0315

Website of the GeMeRitS consortium: https://gmerits.eu/

 

More information concerning the prize:

https://ec.europa.eu/research/eic/index.cfm?pg=prizes_blockchainshttps://www.ngi.eu/news/2020/06/30/blockchains-for-social-good-eic-prize-winners-announced/

  • Published:
  • Updated:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Seminariin osallistujia kuuntelemassa esityksiä.
Cooperation Published:

Strengthening the collaboration in the bioproduct sector between Finland and the United States

At the end of May, a large American delegation visited Finland to familiarize themselves with our forest and wood sector expertise. FinnCERES, the materials bioeconomy Flagship led by Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, is involved in developing new business opportunities through bio-based material innovations.
Sofia Guridi pictured in a lab setting.
Research & Art, Studies Published:

Sofia Guridi is designing a better world with smart textiles

Sofia Guridi, a doctoral student at Aalto University’s Bioinnovation Center, wants to introduce bio-based smart textiles that help improve people’s everyday life.
Professor Jukka Luoma
Awards and Recognition Published:

Jukka Luoma, Teacher of the Year 2023

The Prodeko Guild chose Professor Jukka Luoma as the Teacher of the Year 2023.
A dog and two researchers. Photo: Aalto University/Mikko Raskinen
Research & Art Published:

Significant Academy of Finland funding for for the multidisciplinary consortium project PAWWS – People and Animal Wellbeing at Work and in Society

Astrid Huopalainen, Assistant Professor at Aalto University, Linda Tallberg, Assistant Professor at Hanken School of Economics, and Anna Hielm-Björkman, Docent at University of Helsinki, are principal investigators of the project