Can you eat a spoon? HAMK student innovation advances to the Linnan Business Tournament final
Zero Spoon, developed by HAMK students, shows how an idea created during studies can grow into a business opportunity. The edible spoon originated in a multidisciplinary student project. Encouraged by HAMK’s Innovation Unit, the students decided to continue developing their innovation even after the project had ended.
What if you did not have to throw away a disposable spoon after using it, but could simply eat it instead?
This idea led to Zero Spoon. The edible spoon, developed by four HAMK students, originated in a Design Based Education project commissioned by Jokioisten Leipä. The project explored new uses for breadcrumbs generated as a by-product of food production.
The team consisted of bio and food engineering students Emilia Kiviportti and Maiju Vähä-Nikkilä, and sustainable development students Mari Forssell and Sonja Salonen. The project resulted in a spoon that can either be eaten after use or disposed of as biowaste. At the same time, the innovation found a new use for a side stream from food production.
From a student project towards entrepreneurship
After the course, the students were encouraged at HAMK to explore the idea’s potential further. The Innovation Unit introduced the team to the IDEA category of the Linnan Business Tournament and encouraged them to enter the competition. Zero Spoon advanced to the IDEA category final and received a €2,500 development grant.
Encouraged by this success, Kiviportti, Vähä-Nikkilä and Forssell founded a company to develop Zero Spoon further. The students have also received support from the Innovation Unit with opportunities for further development, intellectual property rights (IPR) and pitching.
What if the next idea is yours?
Zero Spoon is a great example of where an idea created during your studies can lead. Not every idea needs to become a company, but an interesting idea is worth testing and exploring to see how far it could go.
If you have an idea of your own, do not hesitate to contact the Innovation Unit. Your idea does not need to be ready. We can help you figure out what the next step could be.
The Zero Spoon team’s next step is the Linnan Business turnajaiset final on 25–26 November 2026. Come along and cheer on HAMK’s student innovation!