Novia students and small businesses honored – DigiBoost named 2026 Digital Project of the Year.

11.2.2026
Sustainable Businesses and Societies News
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The Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce’s Digitalisation Committee has named Novia University of Applied Sciences’ project Digiboost South Ostrobothnia – Digital Competence Development for Small Businesses as the Digital Project of the Year 2026. The project highlights the strength of close collaboration between Novia’s business students and small companies in the region.

Micro and small enterprises in focus

Within the project, first- and second‑year students worked together with around twenty companies to identify digital needs and develop concrete solutions in areas such as marketing, sales, and digital financial administration. The work was carried out in connection with the course Strategic Marketing Project and in cooperation with the regional business development organisations Business Kristinestad and Dynamo Närpes.

“The committee was particularly pleased with the project’s target group. In previous years, the Digital Project of the Year has often benefited larger companies, whereas this initiative specifically strengthened the competitiveness of micro and small enterprises. The smallest companies often lack both the time and financial resources to adopt and use new digital tools,” says Mia Brännbacka, secretary of the Digitalisation Committee and Communications Manager at the Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce.

Valuable experience working with real clients

For the students, the project offered valuable work‑life experience and an opportunity to put theory into practice.

“The project was both fun and rewarding. I got to use my creativity while also learning how to adapt it to the company’s needs and visual identity. Working with a real client was extremely educational,” says student Antonia Söderlund.

“The project created real value for everyone involved. It increased the relevance of the education and built important networks for both students and companies,” says Kajsa From, Senior Lecturer in Business Administration at Novia University of Applied Sciences.

The Digiboost project has benefited around twenty companies in various ways.

“The results include modernised and search‑engine‑optimised websites, consumer analyses, e‑commerce solutions, marketing plans, photo and video productions, Google advertising, and the development of graphic identities,” says Project Leader Mari Lintula at Novia University of Applied Sciences.

The Digital Project of the Year award is presented annually to an outstanding digitalisation initiative carried out between education and industry.

 
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