5X5® innovation track22 November 2024 target group: Creatives,Business

Launch 5X5® innovation track in Bilbao

5X5® Bilbao: launch of the 5 new cases!

In early 2024, the cities of Kortrijk and Bilbao set up a collaboration to roll out the 5X5® project together in the Basque Country. Both cities are linked by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, of which they are members as design cities. Between these cities, we see plenty of opportunities for new collaborations. We aim to transfer our knowledge and experience to our partners in Bilbao.

We are now proud to present 5 new cases from the 5X5® Bilbao programme. There are 5 participating companies from the region around Bilbao that we have paired with 3 design agencies from Bilbao and 2 design agencies from Flanders. For matching with local designers, we set up a collaboration with the Basque design association ‘Eide Basque Design’.

On 18 November 2024, the project was launched in Bilbao with a kick-off brainstorm based on Howest's Flemish Innowiz methodology. The results of the project in Bilbao and those of the Flemish designers will be shown in an exhibition in Bilbao and at the Kortrijk WONDER festival in the autumn of 2025.

Cases

Jabones El Abra x Brand Creatiers

Jabones El Abra is a producer of soaps and detergents often for industrial applications such as hospitals, washrooms, soup kitchens, ... Jabones El Abra's challenge lies in exploring the possibilities towards more ecological packaging.

Brand Creatiers will guide them in this quest, from exploration phase to launch strategy. Brand Creatiers is a Bilbao-based design agency that focuses on branding and UX design but always from a very pragmatic and strategic point of view.

Sunrise Medical x Concept Hache

One of the R&D departments of global leader Sunrise Medical, which manufactures wheelchairs and other rehabilitation solutions, is located in Bilbao. As part of the 5X5® project, they look for economic and ecological effeciency by optimising components, processes and materials.

Concept Hache is the design office of Hector Lezaun Pegenaute. He is a multidisciplinary designer who can show a portfolio in terms of branding, product design and even his own outdoor clothing brand.

Asimob x UXpertise (BE)

Technology startup Asimob has developed a data platform with the aim of having more safe roads. This data platform is aimed at authorities and services in charge of road maintenance. For example, invisible road signs (e.g. due to overgrowth) or poor line infrastructure can be mapped and repaired faster.

To further develop this platform tailored to the customer, they started working with Lieven Degrauwe of UXpertise. Lieven is a UX/UI designer from Flanders with the slagon ‘I make technology more human (+ more fun)’. A great match with Asimob!

Bromalgae x Pars Pro Toto (BE)

Bromalgae is an innovation and technology company seeking solutions to remove nitrogen and CO2 from the air. As these issues are common in urban environments, they are looking for ways to integrate their system into public spaces.

For this exploration, they are working with Ghent-based design firm Pars Pro Toto. With a wide range of expertise and sectors in which Pars Pro Toto works, this will provide the good support Bromalgae's technical team needs.