Quality Award for KTH startup
Funki, a KTH startup that creates opportunities for everyone to play in a band, on their own terms is one of three winners of the Quality Innovation Award 2022.
With instruments designed for people with intellectual disabilities, Funki offers a completely new way of communicating and interacting through music. Josefine Hölling and Maria Svahn are the brains behind Funki. Maria Svahn is currently studying Media Technology at KTH, and Josefine Hölling has a degree in the same subject.
Three awardees
Funki is one of three awardees this year, together with Skanska and Demacut. The award committe's citation reads:
"Funki" is a fantastic example of how technology can help us humans do things that were previously difficult. This innovation encourages increased interaction, cooperation and communication between people with different intellectual functional variations and at the same time contributes to joyful integration by showing that despite different conditions, people can meet in music on equal terms.
- It feels great to receive this award. It’s a confirmation that we are on the right track. KTH Innovation has meant everything for us to dare to take our idea further, so that everyone can have the same opportunities to play music together!
Supported by KTH Innovation
Funki is one of the teams in Batch 15 in the KTH Innovation pre-incubator program , where they get extra support, access to the makerspace where they built their prototypes and office space where they can focus on developing their idea.
Funki's business development coach Donnie Lygonis says:
- I am very proud of Josefine and Maria! Their innovation is a ground-breaking way of creating and connecting instruments so that anyone can create music, regardless of intellectual or physical ability. It is even more impressive when you consider that these two engineers from KTH share the podium with two established companies, Skanska and Demacut. I look forward to seeing what Funki will accomplish in the future!
Next stop: London
Next week, Funki travels to London in KTH Innovation's Brighter program , where they will have their first contact with an international market. Follow the journey on KTH Innovation's instagram @kthinnovation .
Text: Lisa Bäckman