Onnikka Health — Decreasing the world's obesity curve
Onnikka is a behavioral and lifestyle change management app that started its development at the University of Oulu more than 10 years ago. An interdisciplinary research collaboration between medicine and information systems sciences deviated a solution to curb the growth of the overweight epidemic. The possibilities for commercializing the Onnikka-app were explored in Business Finland's Research to Business (R2B) funding.
Teppo Virkkula, who has a strong background in technology, sales and marketing, became interested in Onnikka in 2018 after reading about the weight management method developed at the University of Oulu. When Teppo travelled to Oulu to meet team Onnikka scientists and nutritionists, he already took the first business plan concerning commercializing the method with him.
However, the company was not founded yet. After combining the research background of the university team with Teppo's business and commercialization expertise, they considered how the concept should be taken forward and finally to consumers’ use.
In order to study the potential of the business idea, it was decided to apply for Business Finland's R2B funding, which was later granted to the project.
Onnikka's journey from research to business
During the R2B funding period the team was considering, for example, the potential target market for the weight control method. Decisions were made by focusing on the strengths of the method.
Future sales of the method were decided to be targeted through healthcare professionals offering a longer-term service to patients.
The Persuasive System Design (PSD), developed by Professor Harri Oinas-Kukkonen’s team, aims to influence sustainable human behavior. In the case of Onnikka, this means weight control. A strong research background distinguishes Onnikka from competitors in the industry.
Onnikka is a digital lifestyle guiding app that aims to change the customer's thoughts, attitudes and thereby eating behavior. The client uses the app twice a week for a year from five to ten minutes per use.
The PSD method could also be used in other types of human behavioral applications in addition to weight control.
According to Teppo, the R2B project has required a wide range of skills. Professor Markku Savolainen and his team's strong medical knowledge of overweight treatment combined with Harri Oinas-Kukkonen and the team's knowledge of PSD have created a strong foundation for where the development of the application is now.
The use of Onnikka has been studied for nearly ten years in extensive clinical trials. Teppo has brought market knowledge to the commercial development of the application.
Does your own research have the potential for commercialization?
Researchers who are wondering if their own research would have commercial potential and opportunities to apply for funding such as R2B, Teppo encourages to do active networking and to build own team according to the needs of the project. The University of Oulu Innovation Centre team has been on board with Onnikka to guide, for example, the preparation of the R2B funding application.
The expertise needs of each R2B project are individual. The Innovation Centre team’s experience will also be useful for finding out what kind of expertise is needed for your team and where those experts can be found. Being active in different communities will also help when applying for a funding becomes current.
If you see the potential of commercialization as a researcher in your own research and possibility to apply for R2B funding, Teppo encourages you to try boldly. On the way you will also encounter negative responses, but if you do not try, your ideas will not see the light of day either!
Onnikka’s stops after founding the business
Onnikka Health Oy was founded after the end of R2B funding at the end of 2021. With business still in the early stages, the company has already reached the desired market. Currently, the first contracts to introduce the app with healthcare operators have been signed. Pilot projects are in process as well.
Onnikka Health’s mission is to help turn world’s obesity curve down. By jumping aboard Onnikka, you can travel to the direction of better lifestyles.
More information about Onnikka can be found here: Onnikka Health | Better weight management for all
More information about R2B funding: Research to Business - Business Finland
Emilia Hoikkaniemi
Yliopistoharjoittelija // Intern
+358 50 346 9906
emilia.hoikkaniemi@oulu.fi
Innovaatioviestinnän harjoittelija kesällä 2022, blogitekstit, uutiset, sosiaalinen media, tapahtumaviestintä.
Innovation communications intern in Summer 2022, blog posts, news, social media, event communications.