Helsinki-Uusimaa Innovation Ecosystem

28DIGITAL is a pan-European multi-stakeholder open-innovation ecosystem. It connects companies, startups, universities, research organisations and investors to strengthen inclusive, fair and sustainable digital competitiveness in Europe. 28DIGITAL focuses especially on domains where digital technology and innovation drive societal progress, addressing major global challenges and delivering tangible benefits for people, governments, businesses and the planet. The ecosystem operates through a network of regional hubs across Europe, including one in Espoo, Finland. Image: 28DIGITAL

4R is an innovation ecosystem operated by CLIC Innovation that strives to build new solutions for circular packaging, technical plastics, and textiles. The ecosystem is open for organisations interested in finding new business or building new competences in circular plastics solutions and bio‑based alternatives. Image: CLIC Innovation

Aalto Design Factory is an interdisciplinary product design and learning hub at Aalto University. It brings together students, researchers, educators and industry partners to explore novel approaches to product development and design-based development collaboration. Its activities combine interdisciplinary learning, applied research, hands-on prototyping and experimentation across business, design and engineering. Image: Aalto DF

AaltoAI is a student-led artificial intelligence community rooted in Aalto University. The community connects students from different fields with researchers, founders and industry professionals across Finland. Through hackathons, workshops, research activities and community events, AaltoAI supports practical learning, technical skill development and collaboration in artificial intelligence. It also promotes the development of AI that is reliable, beneficial and aligned with human intentions. Image: AaltoAI

Carbon Garage is a sustainability-focused collaboration and innovation platform operated by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences at its Myyrmäki campus. The platform brings together students, companies, researchers and public sector actors to develop practical solutions for climate change mitigation and sustainable development. Through collaborative innovation projects, Carbon Garage supports companies in their green transition while providing hands-on learning opportunities for future sustainability professionals. Image: Metropolia UAS

The Centre for Radical Creativity is an interdisciplinary unit at Aalto University that explores what radical creativity means for individuals, organisations and society. The centre conducts research, education and experimentation while creating opportunities for collaboration between researchers, companies and other partners. Its activities include collaborative projects, learning programmes, practical tools and shared spaces designed to strengthen creative capacity and foster new ways of thinking. Image: Centre for Radical Creativity

Cleantech Garden is an emerging innovation campus in Kivenlahti, Espoo, bringing together companies, researchers, educators, and innovation partners working on sustainable technologies. Developed in phases, the campus provides modern facilities designed to support research, development, and business growth. Its key focus areas include sustainable mobility, bio-based circular economy solutions, and carbon-neutral energy systems. The campus ecosystem includes VTT Bioruukki, Omnia, the City of Espoo, and a growing network of companies and research organisations. Image: NCC

CleverHealth Network is a health technology ecosystem established in 2017, where companies and healthcare professionals co-develop better care for Finnish citizens while also creating successful health technology export products for businesses. The product and service innovations are based on the extensive and high-quality health data of HUS Helsinki University Hospital and the top-level clinical expertise of its professionals. Image: CleverHealth Network

CLIC Innovation is an open innovation cluster with the mission of facilitating creation of breakthrough solutions in bioeconomy, circular economy and future energy systems. CLIC Innovation designs, coordinates, and manages R&D&I projects and innovation ecosystems that deliver measurable results. Image: CLIC Innovation

Led by Metropolia UAS, Creative Dimension is an open collaboration platform for companies and organisations that want to develop new ideas, concepts, and services together with students and experts. The collaboration platform brings together expertise in the creative industries, design, media, culture, and technology, helping to turn ideas into practical solutions. Through projects and initiatives, companies can pilot new solutions, discover creative perspectives on business, and contribute to the training of future professionals. Image: Metropolia

Defence Tech Hub is a dual-use deep tech innovation hub based in Espoo. It brings together Finnish startups, research organisations, investors and industry partners to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation defence technologies. The hub focuses on areas such as quantum computing, space-based intelligence, cybersecurity, microelectronics and advanced sensing, while connecting defence and non-defence actors through collaboration, testing and innovation activities. Image: Enter Espoo

The EIT Food Accelerator Network (FAN) Helsinki Hub is a startup acceleration programme operated by Viikki Food Design Factory at the University of Helsinki as part of EIT Food’s European accelerator network. The programme supports agrifoodtech startups in validating technologies, building industry partnerships and strengthening investment readiness. The Helsinki Hub focuses on circular food system solutions, including side-stream valorisation, upcycled ingredients, feedstock optimisation and sustainable food packaging. Image: VFDF / University of Helsinki

EriCa is a green chemistry and sustainability innovation hub that connects startups, industry, researchers, investors, and other ecosystem partners to address sustainability challenges. The hub supports the commercialisation and scaling of innovations in clean water solutions, circular economy, material recovery, fossil-free raw materials, and industrial digitalisation, helping accelerate sustainable innovation from lab to market. EriCa offers offices, laboratories, innovation programmes, and a collaborative ecosystem in one location, providing an environment where sustainable industrial solutions can be developed, validated, and scaled. Image: EriCa / Crazy Town

Finnish AI Region offers businesses accessible expertise in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, high-performance computing, and cyber security. FAIR promotes AI adoption as one of the four European Digital Innovation Hubs' (EDIH) in Finland and part of a European innovation hub network. Image: FAIR EDIH

The Food Data Finland network drives the systemic development of data throughout the food chain. The program develops common practices, more efficient operating models and new products and services for the use of data throughout the food chain. One of the priorities is to develop a food sustainability information model. Image: GS1 Finland

Green Net Finland is a cleantech cluster developing smart and low-carbon urban environment. GNF is committed to preparing and implementing high-quality cleantech development projects and offering expert services related to project development and management, European funding instruments, networking and match-making services and internalisation services. Image: GNF

Health Capital Helsinki is an innovation alliance of two cities, two universities, two universities of applied sciences, and a university hospital. It's core mission is to build joint research and innovation projects that bring together expertise from both public and private sectors. Image: Health Capital Helsinki

Health Incubator Helsinki is a three-year comprehensive incubator program for research based startups operating in the health sector in Finland and abroad. The program was initiated in 2019 by the City of Helsinki and the University of Helsinki to drive the transformation of health innovation, research findings and expertise into international business, and to attract new talent and companies to Helsinki, Finland. Image: Health Incubator Helsinki

Helsinki Think Company is a non-profit that supports students and researchers in developing innovative solutions to societal challenges through collaboration, workshops, and events. They provide co-working spaces and funding opportunities for selected projects. Image: Helsinki Think Company / Jonas Simberg

Helsinki XR Center is a leading European RDI and innovation hub for emerging technologies — especially XR and AI — supporting startups, entrepreneurs, companies, and innovators through co-creation, real-world experimentation, collaborative RDI projects, and community building. Image: Helsinki XR Center

The Helsinki-Uusimaa Circular Hub is a regional initiative striving for a carbon neutral Helsinki-Uusimaa region by 2030. The Hub is a community of experts, municipalities, companies, organisations and research institutes that form an innovation ecosystem. It acts as an accelerator for innovative solutions and pilots in areas like construction, food chains, textiles, plastics, and electronics. As a regional ecosystem, the Hub facilitates new business opportunities while building a good living environment for our citizens. Image: Helsinki-Uusimaa Circular Hub

HEVi is a government program in Finland that aims to strategically allocate public and private funding for research, development, and innovation. The program focuses on the three cities of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa and seeks to create a large project portfolio for urban development and innovation activities from 2021 to 2027. Image: HEVi

HyMy Village is a multidisciplinary learning and development environment operated by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. It combines well-being and health services with service development and innovation in an authentic real-world setting. Through co-creation, service design and multidisciplinary collaboration, HyMy Village supports the development and testing of new health and wellbeing services. Image: HyMy Village / Marjaana Malkamäki

Junction is a non-profit hackathon organiser and technology community based in Espoo. Founded by students and recent graduates from Aalto University, it brings together developers, designers, entrepreneurs and industry partners through hackathons and other collaborative events. As part of the Startup Foundation ecosystem, Junction promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and inclusive technology development while creating opportunities for learning, experimentation and cross-sector collaboration. Image: Junction

KIRAHub is a real estate and construction industry innovation ecosystem operating in the form of a non-profit association. It's vision is to position Finland as a pioneer in sustainable digitalisation of the built environment. Their mission is to accelerate the seamless digitalisation development of the industry. Image: KIRAHub  

Kumpula Business Labs (KBL) is an entrepreneurship hub that supports the creation and growth of startup companies. Located in the largest campus of natural sciences in the Nordic countries, it provides a diverse and extensive range of research equipment as well as competent staff. KBL is a joint initiative of Aalto University, the University of Helsinki, and the City of Helsinki, with the aim of combining academic research with business development. Image: KBL

The LIMOWA Logistics Cluster is a Finnish network association to develop and support intelligent logistics solutions and boost the competitiveness of Finnish companies. LIMOWA works close to its member organizations supporting their business and export activities. Image: LIMOWA

A center of expertise in location data and technology offering no-cost services to SME businesses and public sector organisations. LIH supports business development and the adoption of new technologies, and provides information on funding opportunities. With the start of the new funding period, LIH will continue its work in the built environment, agriculture and forestry, and transportation and logistics sectors. New priorities include defense and space technology. In addition, the hub is investing in artificial intelligence and digital twins. Image: LIH

Maria 01 is one of the leading startup ecosystems in Europe. It provides a thriving environment for ambitious early-stage startups, renowned investors and VCs, large enterprises and other ecosystem organisations – all with the common goal of helping each other succeed. Today, Maria 01 serves as the home to almost 200 startups from various industries, close to 30 local and international VC firms, as well as over 20 corporations. Image: Tapio Auvinen

SPARK Finland program is designed to increase the maturity of academic and clinical discoveries towards practical and value creating solutions in the health related space. Program supports also career development by educating scientists, students and health care professionals on drug and health tech development and building the understanding of business aspects related to the discoveries. SPARK Finland is an official member of SPARK Global network. Image: SPARK Finland

The Foundation’s mission is to create more entrepreneurs, new companies, growth and internationalisation, as well as supporting and promoting the startup mentality. This mission is supported by initiatives by the foundation. Externally, the Foundation supports both not-for-profit initiatives advancing the mission of the foundation as well as individuals wishing to start their entrepreneurial journeys. The goal is simple and concrete: 100 Finnish startups that each grow to €100M in annual revenue. Image: Startup Foundation

SynBio Powerhouse is a Finland-based synthetic biology ecosystem that brings together companies, research organisations, investors and startups. It provides a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation, helping to connect scientific research with commercial applications. Through multidisciplinary projects and ecosystem development activities, SynBio Powerhouse supports the growth and international visibility of Finland’s synthetic biology sector. Image: SynBio Powerhouse

Terkko Health Hub is a community, a co-working space and an event venue focusing on health and life sciences. The Hub is located in the Helsinki’s medical campus and it provides various services, events and initiatives in collaboration with local and global partners. Image: Terkko Health Hub

Helsinki is a testbed for new innovations. The City of Helsinki provides companies and RDI actors a wide variety of development and testing opportunities for new innovations, products and services. The key content areas of the testing platform activities are EdTech, Smart Mobility, Built Environment, Circular Economy and Health & Wellbeing. Image: City of Helsinki / Maija Astikainen

The Uniarts Hub pre-incubator program offers a comprehensive overview of entrepreneurship in the arts and creative industries and provides support for developing your own business idea. The pre-incubator is a free 12-week program featuring lectures, workshops, mentoring, and peer support. Uniarts Hub is best suited for arts professionals who are already working in the field or nearing the end of their studies. Image: Uniarts Hub

Urban Tech Helsinki is a platform dedicated to advancing clean and sustainable urban solutions. The initiative connects entrepreneurs and startups with investors, universities, companies and the City of Helsinki to accelerate the development and adoption of urban innovations. It supports collaboration, real-world testing, networking and funding exploration across areas such as clean energy, the circular economy, smart mobility, urban farming and wellbeing. Image: Urban Tech Helsinki

UrbanFarmLab is an urban indoor farming development platform and one of the four collaboration platforms within Metropolia University of Applied Sciences’ Clean and Sustainable Solutions Innovation Hub. It serves as a co-learning living lab where experts, companies, and students collaborate to develop, test, and pilot innovative technologies and solutions for sustainable urban food production. Image: Metropolia UAS

Viikki Food Design Factory (VFDF) is a food innovation ecosystem at the University of Helsinki. It brings together startups, researchers, students, investors, and industry professionals to co-create and accelerate sustainable, science-based food system innovations through collaboration, entrepreneurship, and business development activities. Image: University of Helsinki

VTT LaunchPad is a science-based deep tech incubator operated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. It supports the creation of startup companies based on VTT-developed technologies by bringing together researchers, intellectual property, entrepreneurs and investors. Through funding, business development, team building, IPR support and entrepreneurship coaching, the programme helps science-based innovations progress towards international growth and investment readiness.