Three entrepreneurs tackling disability challenges win Nordea innovation prizes

Denmark: Bellyfood wins recognition for innovative tube feeding

The winner of our 2026 Handiprenør award in Denmark was Bellyfood, which produces organic tube feeding from ingredients that resemble the food the rest of the family eats. Their goal is to give people with feeding tubes more choice and a greater say in everyday life. For Bellyfood, the win brings recognition and an opportunity to expand the business and raise awareness.

"For Nordea, Handiprenør is about something truly central: how entrepreneurship can help address societal challenges while creating growth, new businesses, and jobs. Bellyfood is a perfect example of that, having succeeded - through a financially sustainable business - in significantly improving the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of society,” says Jakob Beck Thomsen, Head of Business Banking in Denmark.

The Danish award comes with DKK 50,000 and direct access to our Startup Match event, where investors meet promising startups, creating a unique opportunity for Bellyfood to scale their solution.

Sweden: Funkity takes accessibility prize after record nominations

Our Funkoprenör award in Sweden, now in its seventh year, broke records with 45 nominations in 2026. The prize went to Funkity for making a difficult system simpler and more humane.

Funkity is a digital platform that helps people with disabilities and their relatives navigate applications, appeals and documentation in the social security system. The jury praised the organisation for tackling "one of society's most complex life situations" through technology that makes the social security system "more comprehensible and usable in practice".

Behind Funkity is Bente Danielsson, a parent who knows how challenging the system can be. "It feels absolutely fantastic to win this prize! As a disability parent, you're sadly used to being questioned when you fight for your child's rights in an impossible system. Empowerment and inclusion shouldn't be difficult!"

She highlights the significance of Nordea's support: "The bank clearly shows that marginalising people with disabilities is outdated and that there's untapped potential for change."

Funkity will receive SEK 100,000 and gain access to advisory support from Nordea and a meeting with one of our lawyers.

Finland: Record participation with Eläköön Oppiminen as a strong winner

In Finland our contest attracted a record 91 companies. The winner, chosen for the first time through a public vote, was Eläköön Oppiminen Oy, which produces educational materials for pre-school and early years education to give all children equal opportunities. The company received over half of the nearly 900 votes cast.

Eläköön Oppiminen Oy will receive EUR 10,000 and mentoring from our experts.

On the same day as the winners were announced, workshops were held at our premises for students with special needs from Yrkesinstitutet Live, focusing on working life skills and business ideas. "Young people need support and role models who show them that anyone can build their dream life," says project manager Hanna Lankinen.