Step Change 2023 gathers bold explorers in glass innovation and offers startup trailblazers the opportunity to share their adventures, their insight and their aspirations and to enjoy the company of their peers.
Step Change was introduced at Glass Performance Days (GPD) in 2017 as a way to develop and promote new innovations for the glass industry value chain. Its purpose is to connect startup and scaleup entrepreneurs with industry professionals from all over the world to network and drive the industry to higher peaks. It helps move the glass industry forward in the long run and boost its performance.
The success of Step Change has made it one of the rock-solid elements of GPD, an independent forum dedicated to the development of the glass industry through an exchange of ideas, concepts and innovations.
Coffee break 10.15 – 11.00
10:25-10:40 Glaston X VELUX
Sasu Koivumäki, Chief Sales Officer and
Deputy CEO, Glaston Corporation
Tyler Leighton Moersch, Ph.D. Lead
Specialist in Advanced Material
Technology, VELUX Group
10:40-10:55 Peafowl Plasmonics AB
Per Edström, CEO
Lunch break 12.15 – 13.45
12:55-13:10 Hypermemo Oy
Erik Raita, Dr., Chief Operations Officer
13:10-13:25 Volframi Oy
Jukka Vuoristo, CTO
13:25-13:40 Tynt Technologies, Inc.
Tyler Hernandez, Co-Founder/
Director of Technology
Lunch break 12.15 – 13.45
15:10-15:25 MIMSI Materials ABTabea Schroth, CMO
15:25-15:40 Miru Smart Technologies
Lesel Radage, VP of Product
Coffee break 10.15 – 11.00
10:25-10:40 VideowindoW
Remco Veenbrink, Founder and CEO
10:40-10:55 2MH Glas GmbH
Michael Heidan, CEO
Lunch break 12.15 – 13.45
12:55-13:10 Ubiquitous Energy, Inc.
Miles Barr, Co-Founder & CTO
13:10-13:25 IR Dynamics, Inc.
Rich Engstrom, CEO
13:25-13:40 Lithium Designers GmbH
Alamir Mohsen, CEO
Coffee break 15.00 – 15.45
15:10-15:25 eLstar-Dynamics
Romaric Massard, CTO
15:25-15:40 AeroShield Materials, Inc.
Aaron Baskerville-Bridges, Co-Founder &
VP Operations
2MH Glas GmbH was founded in 2019 to commercialize two breakthrough technologies for the glass industry. These technologies - Fast Ion Exchange and Salt Bath Regeneration - will result in existing glass products becoming more sustainable and completely new products made of glass. The globally patented technologies have already reached the first customers worldwide and have been successfully validated. This will make ion exchange so affordable that it can also be used for mass products. Be part of a sustainable change!
Lithium Designers GmbH is a group of Architects, Engineers, and Researchers, who are dedicated to developing construction solutions for classic and complex buildings, in respect of the latest building regulations and state of the art technologies. Lithium Designers GmbH offers architects and engineers the highest level of expertise, concerning new building products and their certification, to support customers achieve their visions.
MIMSI Materials is a Swedish deeptech startup creating a new class of high-performance transparent materials based on precision silver alloys. Our recently launched material Alumenate® extends the optical, electrical, durability, and sustainability performance capabilities of state-of-the-art low-e coatings. Our materials can be tailored to further applications requiring transparent conductive coatings, such as photovoltaics and AR/VR headsets."
Using the characteristics of plasmonics we develop beautiful new technology that will make our world greener, smarter and more sustainable.
Volframi is an engineering start-up manufacturing equipment and developing methods for various partial processes for glass industry.
Tynt is a new way to experience natural light at home. We make elegant, ultra climate-friendly windows that adapt to your changing needs throughout the day. Our patented technology lets homeowners quickly adjust visible light from crystal clear all the way to our exclusive blackout. It’s a smooth, elegant transition, like clouds gliding past the sun – just as mother nature intended. Tynt windows can be programmed to your unique lifestyle. Whether you’re optimizing for comfort, privacy, or energy efficiency, the ideal setting is seconds away. We work with residential builders and homeowners to bring the most advanced and climate-friendly windows into homes across the country.
Miru is developing next-generation electrochromic windows (eWindows) for the residential, commercial and automotive markets. Miru is disrupting how eWindows are produced and distributed, with a patented process that lowers costs, improves performance and significantly reduces carbon emissions—enhancing the well-being of people and our planet. Miru has tailored our manufacturing process and business model to operate within existing fenestration manufacturing channels. We work closely with glass fabricators, installers and builders to enable the hassle-free deployment of electrochromic windows.
eLstar Dynamics is a leading developer and provider of adaptive smart glass for a wide range of applications such as architecture, automotive and specialty markets. eLstar addresses the needs for attainable solutions by offering sustainable and affordable smart glass. By using existing manufacturing facilities, eLstar is able to produce smart glass with much lower energy and impact to the environment.
Transform any glass façade into a transparent video screen for dynamic glare control. Add experience, reduce CO2, and increase revenue. VideowindoW: the future of glare control (CES Best Of Innovation Award)
IR Dynamics, Inc. has been developing a solution to make windows more energy efficient using thermochromic nanoparticle technology to control solar heat gain. This low-cost technology promises to create the most energy efficient glass coating on the market.
AeroShield Materials is an MIT spinout making the world’s most transparent silica aerogels to improve the performance of insulated glass. Aerogels are some of the most thermally insulating materials ever created, they are super-light, fire resistant, and have lower embodied carbon than glass. AeroShield’s proprietary manufacturing and integration processes maintain these properties while also offering glass-like transparency. When bonded to glass, the aerogel acts like a macro coating that can dramatically improve the U-Value of glass products.
Step Change targets scaleups, startups and early-stage innovation groups, university research projects and spinoffs or any other new solution program. During GPD 2023, Step Change participants will gather in the Base Camp. All explorers can showcase their ideas, products and services and connect with the decision-makers. In addition, the Step Change provides a unique opportunity to learn about glass industry and its value chain.
Base Camp offers unique opportunities and ways to grow in the far-reaching glass industry value chain – Bringing the right people in the right spot.
Get feedback directly from your potential market
GPD brings together the best minds in the glass industry
Meet with those who can help you along the climb
The world is waiting for innovative solutions
Step Change’s Base Camp 2023 is the place to stage your ascent and acclimatize – preparing for the unpredictable, sharing knowledge and learning from the wisdom of the experienced.
During the event, on June 14– 16 in Tampere, Finland, you will be able to showcase your ideas in dedicated Step Change sessions and exhibition. You will meet the industry at your own promo stand to demo and discuss your innovation, products or services. And make valuable connections.
Prior to the event, you will have possibility to discuss with our Step Change mentors about your idea and get valuable insights. You will gain valuable insights before you go on to presenting your ideas in GPD 2023 to the industry at large.
What kind of startups are you looking for? Who can apply?
Step Change is for many – along with startups. We’re looking for university spinoffs, research projects or even more established companies.
Depending on what stage your company is in, you may wish to also consider attending the event as a normal speaker, participant or exhibitor.
Will we find funding?
We are focused on showcasing your ideas, products and services to help you build your business and commercialize your ideas.
My startup is not in glass – should I join?
Yes! In fact, some of our most interesting innovations were sparked within industries outside the glass sector. You may have a technology or application that no one in the glass industry has ever considered before. And that is the kind of disruptive thinking we’re looking for.
What is the deadline for applying?
You can indicate your interest at any time. Step Change will accept companies for Base Camp 2023 on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes as soon as available slots are filled, so sign up now!
How much does it cost to participate?
Participation fees have been deeply discounted thanks to our Step Change sponsors. It costs 850 eur/person to participate in the Step Change Base Camp 2023. This includes the conference ticket to GPD Finland 2023 and a promotional table in the Step Change area. The benefits you gain will far outweigh the amount of your participation fee in Step Change.
Who is behind Step Change?
Glaston Corporation was the initial founder of Step Change as a startup program for the glass industry that occurred biannually in conjunction with GPD in Tampere, Finland. Today, there is a wide network of glass industry partners involved.
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