Coating technology is increasingly important in various fields of industry. In electronics, development is in the direction of smaller and smaller components and to printing methods familiar from the paper and packaging industries. At the same time, there is a high demand for cost effectiveness and environmentally friendliness. The manufacture of electronics on plastic materials requires thin film coating, which also enables the reduction of material usage and substitution of environmentally problematic materials. In machine building, on the other hand, the new coatings can be used to control friction and wear, thus enabling longer maintenance intervals and reduced energy consumption.
 
MIICS Presents the Newest Technology and Promotes Its Utilisation
Mikkeli International Industrial Coating Seminar (MIICS) aims at to increasing the awareness of the newest technologies in thin film coating and the opportunities they create, as well as at accelerating their industrial and commercial utilisation. The seminar is targeted at the technology developers and the research and development personnel of the manufacturing industry. MIICS 2012 is centred around ultra thin coatings. One of the main themes is the industrial application of atomic layer deposition (ALD) as well as continuous and roll-to-roll processing, in which Mikkeli area in Finland represents the highest international expertise.
 
Solar Energy, Machine Building and Electronics Highlighted Fields of ApplicationIn the industrial applications, MIICS 2012 emphasizes solar energy, where coatings have a central role in increasing the efficiency of collecting the sun’s energy. MIICS also deals with the importance of coatings in machine building, where the coating technology enables the reduction of the wearing of the components and of the energy consumption of the equipment in different industrial environments from vehicle motors to process industry equipment. In addition, the seminar gives an insight into the coatings on paper and different plastic films, with industrial applications such as printable electronics and packaging.
 
The seminar offers presentations from the highest experts of the field from all around the world. Among the most eminent are, for example, the professors Jeon Han from South Korea, Yuji Mihara from Japan and Kenneth Holmberg from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Additional information, program details and the instructions for registration can be found at http://www.miics.net/
 
More information:
Professor David Cameron, Lappeenranta University of Technology, tel int. +358 40 835 264
Mr. Juha Kauppinen, Development Director, Miktech Ltd. +358 440 361 616 (available March 5 ->)
 

Mikkeli International Industrial Coating Seminar 2012 brings together the leading experts on coating technology to Mikkeli, Finland for the sixth time. The seminar is organized by Miktech Ltd./ Nanotechnology Cluster Programme, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Savo-Solar Ltd and Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences.

“We are seeking to find better ways of further refining academic innovations either through completely new business enterprises or within existing ones. As the Science Park has the required expertise and services readily available, the UEF and the Science Park complement one another and this cooperation is beneficial to us both,” Academic Rector Väänänen says.

In the future, the Science Park will be able to assess the profitability and commercial potential of business ideas created at the UEF at an earlier stage than before. “We have gone through our overlapping activities and introduced shared operations models, and this makes it possible for both of us to better focus on our core expertise,” says Jari Lauronen, CEO of Joensuu Science Park Ltd.

“The role of experts at the Business Incubator is to support and help future entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into successful business activities. The Science Park offers startup companies access to a state-of-the art business incubator environment, as well as to national and international partner networks.”

Maintaining expertise in the region is important

For more than a decade already, the Business Incubator at Joensuu Science Park has supported knowledge-intensive industries and startup companies in the launch of their business activities. The increasingly tight cooperation between the UEF and the Science Park will significantly diversify the selection of business incubator services available regionally. Furthermore, the emphasis of cooperation will move from project activities towards a more permanent service concept.

“The more we can turn the university’s expertise into business activities, the greater the consequences for the regional economy. The goal is to promote the regional economy and entrepreneurship from an increasingly research-oriented perspective. Through this cooperation agreement, these activities become permanent,” Academic Rector Väänänen and CEO Lauronen say.   

Students are increasingly interested in entrepreneurship

In addition to sector-based expertise, the Business Incubator also invests in comprehensive advisory services offered to companies. For example, the life situations of young people starting up a company may change even rapidly due to reasons relating to studying, working or starting a family.
“We want to encourage university graduates and young people entering working life to become entrepreneurs. The Business Incubator offers its supporting services in a flexible manner,” CEO Lauronen explains. 

According to Academic Rector Väänänen, there is a demand for a tighter cooperation between the UEF and the Science Park, as university students are increasingly interested in entrepreneurship. “We have observed significant changes in attitudes during several years already.  However, there is still a lot of variation between both disciplines and universities.”

For further information, please contact:

Kalervo Väänänen, Academic Rector, University of Eastern Finland
Tel. +358 40 701 1303, kalervo.vaananen@uef.fi

Jari Lauronen, CEO, Joensuu Science Park Ltd.
Tel. +358 50 572 3733, jari.lauronen@carelian.fi

(Source: Joensuu Science Park press release 8th February, 2012)

BBA Taija Vento has been appointed from 1st January 2012 the Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL's Communications Manager. Previously she worked as communications officer at TEKEL, and before that at Culminatum Innovation Oy Ltd and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

Further information:

Taija Vento
Communications Manager
tel 040 745 6285
taija.vento(at)tekel.fi

Tuija Heikura, M. Sc., M. Ed., has been appointed Manager, Development projects as of January 1st, 2012 at the Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL. She is responsible for the project portfolio of TEKEL: new project generation, coordination and reporting.

Tuija Heikura has previously worked with a similar job profile as Project Manager in the field of user-driven innovation research at the Aalto University School of Economics, Center for Knowledge and Innovation Research. In addition, she has extensive experience in international research and development, training, consulting and planning tasks.

Further information:

Tuija Heikura
Manager, Development Projects
tel +358 50 410 4851
tuija.heikura(at)tekel.fi

Key highlights:
- VCs invested 112m Euros into Finnish companies, which is a 113% increase over H1 2010
- Most of the investments were made in the second round which totaled 58,7m Euro
- International VCs invested more capital than Finnish VCs (71,3m vs 34,2m Euro)
- The Helsinki Metropolitan Area attracted 95% of funding and 69% of investments
- The mobile sector attracted the most capital,35,1m Euro
- Nano industry investments grew the most, a 1492% increase

 “It has been a great first half,” says Technopolis’ Jukka Jokinen. “Later stage investments were large, but early stage investment activity was under-represented by traditional standards. However, it is great to see international top-level VCs and business angels investing in Finland. Only couple of years ago there was no chance that these players would invest in Finland, but now they are active and investing in rounds and companies which are small by their standards.”

All investors and investments into Finnish high-tech companies can be found at www.technopolisonline.com.

Technopolis Online is a comprehensive investment database and virtual matchmaking portal that offers complete and unbiased ecosystem coverage of Finnish high tech. It covers all major high tech industries, companies, investors, universities and key people. With dedicated national analyst team, Technopolis Online produces precise, relevant and valuable information that is validated and exclusively in English. Technopolis Online is managed by Technopolis Plc.

Further information:
Technopolis Plc
Artur Surov
Manager, Technopolis Online
Phone +358 41 501 0732

Technopolis Plc is a member of Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL.

(Source: Technopolis Plc's press release 1 st September, 2011)

The aim of the new OP-Pohjola Group unit in Oulu is to develop mobile services specifically for banking and insurance sectors as well as to consolidate the professional staff responsible for the ICT development needs of the OP-Pohjola Group as a whole.

“The operations of the development unit focused on online business activities will be rolled out in phases so that  dozens of people will start to work at Technopolis Oulu in the autumn while the overall number of employees will  eventually be as high as 150,” says Harri Nurmela, President and CEO of OP-Services Ltd.

“The arrival of OP-Services Ltd. in Oulu and commencement of cooperation with Technopolis is a perfect example of  the attractiveness of the region, which offers a fully functional operating environment and huge numbers of  international-class professionals. OP-Services will also help diversify the ICT sector in Oulu and support new growth in
 our region,” says Juha Juntunen, Director of Technopolis Oulu.

Technopolis Plc

Keith Silverang
President and CEO
Tel. +358 40 566 7785

Juha Juntunen
Director, Oulu operations
Tel. +358 40 722 5135

Technopolis Plc is a member of the Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL. 

(Source: Technopolis Plc's press release August 9, 2011)

Jaakko Helenius (b. 1965) is currently the CEO of PAC-Solution Ltd., which belongs to the John Nurminen Group. Prior to this, Helenius has worked as CEO of Helsinki Business and Science Park Ltd. during the years 2007 ­– 2010 and as CEO of Oy Maltax AB, a subsidiary of Polttimo Yhtiöt Oy.

“I am excited to take on this assignment, and I see the approximately 800 experts working in TEKEL’s 31 member companies as a great resource for the development of national innovation and growing enterprise operations. An important stage is just beginning for TEKEL and its science park members, the preparation of new, locally influential operations models and programmes. In this task, I see the network of science parks as having a particularly significant role,” comments Helenius.

For further information, please contact:

Jaakko Helenius, CEO, PAC-Solution Ltd.,
Tel. +358 500 498 020, email: jaakko.helenius(at)pacs.fi

Pasi Mäkinen, Chairman of the Board, Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL,
Tel. +358 400 246 492, email: pasi.makinen(at)culminatum.fi

Kyösti Jääskeläinen, CEO, Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL,
Tel. +358 40 541 7971, email: kyosti.jaaskelainen(at)tekel.fi

The Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL is a nationwide co-operation network of Finnish science parks and technology centres, containing 31 members in Finland’s university cities. Together with its partners, TEKEL develops internationally attractive environments for innovation.

These science parks support the creation, growth and internationalisation of technology-intensive business and growth companies. They offer their customers an innovation and operating environment that activates growth, business development services, co-operation in programmes and projects, and key contacts and network connections.

Photos:  http://www.tekel.fi/in_english/more_information/materials/tekel_s_managing_director/

'We are excited about the new more functional, more practical premises, as we currently operate in four different locations. Now our entire organization will be under one roof, which will improve our internal work and operational structure. We also consider the opportunity for direct contacts with companies in line with the Technopolis concept a valuable asset. It will also enhance our cooperation with stakeholders and make us easier to reach, thanks to factors such as excellent meeting rooms, services and favorable location,' Pauli Harju, Executive Director of the Council of Oulu Region, comments with pleasure.

'The lease is significant for the Oulu unit of Technopolis due to its extent and long term. Having a significant regional player in our business environment will also diversify our already extensive customer network, and we believe that it will benefit the economy of the entire Oulu region,' says Juha Juntunen, Director of Technopolis Oulu. 

Technopolis Plc

Keith Silverang
CEO
Tel. +358 40 566 7785

Juha Juntunen
Director, Oulu operations
Tel. +358 40 722 5135

Technopolis Plc is a member of the Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL.

(Source: Technopolis Plc's press release 10th May, 2011).
 

Mauri Pekkarinen, the Minister of Economic Affairs will also participate. Finnish companies have been active in India for years. The Indian government is strongly supporting the introduction of renewable energy, among other things. This will open sizable business opportunities for Finnish companies as well. Opportunities will also become available in the production of clean water and waste management.

After the ministers have spoken in the event starting at 4.30 p.m., the floor will be given to some of the companies. The event will be organised by the Lahti Science and Business Park in cooperation with the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. The Lahti Science and Business Park coordinates the Finnish Cleantech Cluster. Apart from extensive programmes with China and Russia, it has entered into strategic cooperation with a private Indian investment bank, Yes Bank. Yes Bank is seeking Finnish companies as suitable investment objects. "In India, the companies in our cluster are interested in both large energy, water and waste management projects and the cash flow from Indian investors into Finnish companies and their projects," says the Programme Director of the Cleantech Cluster, Mari Pantsar-Kallio, from the Lahti Science and Business Park.

The aim of the visit is to introduce the use of biomass and renewable energy in Finland, such as wind and solar energy, as well as the know-how, players and technology in the Cleantech Sector. In addition, one of the aims is to promote cooperation with India in a concrete way. The guests will be especially interested in hearing about the know-how related to sustainable Finnish forestry practices and the utilisation of logging waste as well as bioenergy, biofuels and the development of Nordic tourism.

Minister Abdullah will visit Finland during 30 March–1 April, invited by the Minister of Economic Affairs, Mauri Pekkarinen. Apart from Minister Pekkarinen, Minister Abdullah will meet the Foreign Trade and Development Minister Paavo Väyrynen and the Minister of the Environment, Paula Lehtomäki. From Lahti, Minister Abdullah will continue his trip to Kuusamo, Oulu and some other places.

Additional information available from:

Mari Pantsar-Kallio, Programme Director

Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd / Finnish Environmental Technology Cluster

tel. +358 50 4026 919

mari.pantsar-kallio(at)lahtisbp.fi

Mari Hakkarainen, Senior Inspector

Ministry of Employment and the Economy

tel. +358 50 434 4933

mari.hakkarainen(at)tem.fi

Lahti Science and Business Park promotes the establishment and growth of growth-oriented companies and their investments into the Lahti region as well as develops innovation activities in the region. We develop and internationalise the Finnish Environmental Technology Cluster. We are developing the Lahti region into a world-class centre for environmental business and research. Further information: www.lahtisbp.fi.

Lahti Science and Busines Park is a member of Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL.

(Source: Lahti Science and Business Park's press release 30th March, 20119).

Furthermore, the environmental performance of different properties will be compared using the LEED environmental certification system. Different Technopolis offices will apply for the WWF Green Office label, with the Technopolis concept and services being developed for customers according to these principles. Environmental and social responsibility reporting will be developed according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

The environmental strategy will guide all of the planning, execution and monitoring of the company’s green actions and investments. It aims to respond to the future requirements of different stakeholders and legislation, motivates employees and communicates strong commitment to environmental responsibility within Technopolis.

Technopolis will actively invest in the execution of green actions connected to its environmental strategy. “In Jyväskylä, for example, we are experimenting with energy pilings in the second phase of the Innova office building started this spring, and we have ordered energy audits for our existing buildings and joined an energy efficiency agreement covering our premises,” says Virve Riihonen, Development and Environmental Manager at Technopolis.

Technopolis Plc
Keith Silverang
CEO
Tel. +358 40 566 7785

Kari Kokkonen
Director of Real Estate Operations
Tel. +358 40 534 6629

Virve Riihonen
Real Estate Operations
Development and Environmental Manager
Tel. +358 50 467 6014

Technopolis Plc is a member of Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL.

(Source: Technopolis Plc's press release 29th March, 2011).

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and his delegation will visit Lahti on Friday, 25 March. The programme will include the signing of two cooperation agreements and meetings with the City Mayor and representatives of Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd.

Two cooperation agreements between Finnish companies, Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd and the Republic of Tatarstan will be signed in Lahti. According to the agreement Pajakulma Oy will supply Tatarstan with skip handling equipment and related know-how, and Peilituote Oy will provide know-how and components for the Tatar market concerning convex mirror glass assemblies.

“The cooperation agreements are a concrete result of our efforts in promoting the internationalisation of Finnish companies,” says Programme Director Mari Pantsar-Kallio of the Finnish Cleantech Cluster, which operates at Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd. “Russia is one of the focus areas of our operations. With regard to the Russian market, we have set up a regional cluster for Russia, consisting of businesses in the Lahti region, as well as the waste management and energy clusters operating under the Finnish Cleantech Cluster. Around 40 Finnish companies are actively involved in the clusters focusing on Russia.”

During his visit to Lahti, President Minnikhanov will visit Energon, the renewable-energy research centre owned by Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd, Pajakulma Oy and the Lahti Sports Centre. Finnish sports construction is of particular interest to the delegation as the 27th Universiade of the International University Sports Federation in 2013 will be hosted by the Tatar capital of Kazan.

Visit to Finland aims at promotion of trade relations

The objective of the visit to Finland is the development of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
A meeting of the regional working group between the countries will also be organised in connection with the visit, with 34 Finnish companies and organisations participating. The themes of the meeting will include the oil and gas industries and energy efficiency. The regional working group is a discussion forum and contact channel for administration and business life. Cooperation aims at promoting direct trade relations and investments among businesses and at opening doors for SMEs in both countries.

Finland and Tatarstan have enjoyed long cooperation relations in the fields of trade, economy and culture. Cooperation has also taken place in the education and travel sectors. The Finnish Tatar community and Tatar entrepreneurs, who adhere strongly to their cultural traditions, have contributed significantly to the promotion of these relations.

Tatarstan’s energy resources have made the republic one of Russia’s wealthiest and most developed regions, a region actively engaged in foreign trade. The republic’s economy is based on industry and agriculture. Rich in natural resources, the region is a major producer of oil and natural gas. The extractive and chemical industries make up nearly half of the republic’s industry.

Additional information available from:
Mari Pantsar-Kallio, Programme Director
Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd/ Finnish Cleantech Cluster
tel. +358 50 402 6919
mari.pantsar-kallio(at)lahtisbp.fi

Juha Onnelainen, Sales Representative
Pajakulma Oy
tel. +358 10 232 1053
juha.onnelainen(at)pajakulma.fi

Pirkko Poussu, Managing Director
Peilituote Oy
tel. +358 19 764 370
mail(at)peilituote.fi

Pia Hassinen, Senior Adviser
Ministry of Employment and the Economy
tel. +358 10 606 4170 and +358 50 396 0200
pia.hassinen(at)tem.fi

 
Lahti Business and Science Park is a member of Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL.

(Source: Lahti Business and Science Park's press release 25 March, 2011).

They will also discuss how best to boost wellbeing, equality, and economic growth in the prevailing financial situation. Technopolis CEO Keith Silverang will also participate in the summit. His presentation is called  ”Nokia Technopolis Innovation Mill: Using world class anchors to drive world class innovation.”

Established in May 2009, Nokia Technopolis Innovation Mill promotes the Finnish ICT cluster as well as finances and productizes Finnish ideas for the global markets. In the
Innovation Mill, Nokia hands over ideas, licenses, and patents to the companies involved. Technopolis is the project coordinator and offers the participating companies business
development services and more. The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) and ten cities looking to promote their local businesses finance the project.

The three-year project has already – in a little over 18 months – succeeded in building a new kind of Finnish operations model for creating new businesses, products, and services.
Furthermore, it has generated more than a hundred jobs and 19 new companies as well as obtained nearly EUR 10 million of venture capital.

According to Keith Silverang, the Innovation Mill shows how an idea that might go unused in a major corporation can, in the right hands and with proper support, be refined into a
lucrative, interesting business. “At the establishment stage, Nokia’s commitment greatly influenced the success of the venture. Now it is time to get other global enterprises involved. With cooperation we can generate a new national intent. A cooperation model like the Innovation Mill is a unique concept where financing and productization are effective and quick, generating new Finnish success stories in the long term,” says Silverang. So far, a total of 29 financing decisions have been made through the Innovation Mill. The objective is to generate a hundred business projects. In fall 2010, Nokia Technopolis Innovation Mill won the annual Finnish competition Tuottava Idea 2010 (the Most Lucrative Idea of 2010).

Technopolis Plc

Keith Silverang
CEO
Tel. +358 40 566 7785
 

(Source: Technopolis Plc press release January 20th, 2011)

”It is great that we will finally be able to expand our operations in Jyväskylä. The Innova 2 building will be located close to downtown, in the immediate vicinity of Paviljonki and the travel center, and within walking distance from the heart of the city thanks to the trade fair bridge. The building will house, for example, Respecta Oy's Jyväskylä premises, as well as other companies to be announced later,” says Samuel Koivisto, Director of Technopolis operations in Jyväskylä.

”The new building is optimal to us in terms of its location and services, and it will enable us to develop in Jyväskylä in a way that meets our needs,” says Managing Director Veli-Pekka Cajan from Respecta Oy.

”We are growing as planned in Jyväskylä, which is a very positive development, especially after the recession. The site's location and services are excellent, ensuring that the building will be rapidly filled with new customers,” says Keith Silverang, President and CEO of Technopolis. ”The Lutakko area is now taking a giant leap forward, and it is becoming a real calling card for Jyväskylä,” adds Markku Andersson, Mayor of Jyväskylä.

”Particular attention is being paid to energy efficiency in the construction of the building, as it is designed to meet the requirements of energy class B, and LEED certification will be applied for.  Energy columns will be utilized as new technology in its cooling and heating through the use of geothermal energy. In addition to ARE, Ruukki Oy and Uponor Oy will act as partners for the energy solutions,” states Jukka Akselin, Janercon Oy, who is in guiding of the technical and energy-efficiency solutions of the building.

Technopolis has approximately 130 customer companies in Jyväskylä. With the second phase of the new Innova building, Technopolis’ presence in Jyväskylä will increase to a total of approximately 62,000 floor square meters.

Technopolis Plc

Keith Silverang

President and CEO
tel. +358 40 566 7785

More information:
Marko Järvinen
Country Manager
Tel. +358 40 553 9588

Samuel Koivisto
Director, Jyväskylä operations
tel. +358 40 841 0700

(Source: Technopolis Plc press release 12th January 2011)

Technopolis is already operating in Russia and Estonia and the
company is looking to expand its European operations significantly.
To expedite this expansion Technopolis has hired Sami Juutinen (38)
as Director of International Operations. Sami will join the
Technopolis Group Management Team as of February 14, 2011. Juutinen
will be responsible for developing and managing all Technopolis
Group international operations under CEO Keith Silverang.

“My primary role at Technopolis will be to assess and pinpoint
targets for acquisition and to play a key role in the acquisition
process. I’m excited to have the chance to lead the internal and
external teams required in these complex processes, as well as to
manage integration processes and foreign units after acquisition”,
says Sami Juutinen about his future at Technopolis.

Sami Juutinen holds Master of Laws degrees from the University of
Lapland and the University of Cape Town. He is coming to
Technopolis from KONE, where he has held various positions within
the Group, most recently as Director of Service Business and
Business Development for KONE’s Middle Eastern operations.

“I’m very happy to have Sami onboard to strengthen our
internationalization. Technopolis now has 16 campuses in 8 cities
in Finland, as well as Russia and Estonia. With Sami’s experience
we are better able to execute agile, but profitable international
growth”, states Keith Silverang, CEO of Technopolis.

Technopolis Chairman Pertti Huuskonen has been leading
international growth operations at Technopolis since 2008. “The
unique Technopolis service concept has received excellent feedback
in Europe. I’m convinced, that our fast growth will continue with
Sami at the helm”, says Huuskonen. “One clear piece of evidence of
our unique concept has been our ability to finance growth through
international financers like the European Investment Bank (EIB) and
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). We have
received loans in excess of 220 Million Euros from these banks.

For more information:

TECHNOPOLIS PLC

Keith Silverang
CEO
Phone: +358 40 566 7785

(Source: Technopolis Plc press release 21st December 2010)

At the autumn meeting of TEKEL, the board for 2011 was appointed. Pasi Mäkinen, Managing Director of Culminatum Innovation Oy Ltd, will begin as Chairman, and Jari Lauronen of Joensuu Science Park Ltd as Vice-Chairman. Other members of the Board include managing directors Matti Eskola of FinnMedi Ltd (Tampere), Veli-Pekka Heikkinen of Jyväskylä Innovation Ltd, Hannu Kantonen of Seinäjoki Technology Centre Ltd, Riku-Matti Levomäki of Turku Science Park Ldt, Risto Liljeroos of Prizztech Ltd (Pori), Ulla Mäki-Lohiluoma of Technology Centre Oy Merinova Ab and Oy Vaasa Parks Ab, Lauri Ylöstalo of Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd and manager Jukka Rauhala of Technopolis Ventures Oy.

The chairmen of teams set up to manage everyday co-operation between the technology centres were also appointed. Jari Lauronen will serve as chairman of the Innovation Environment Team, Lauri Ylöstalo for the International Team, Matti Eskola for the Growth-oriented Company Team and Hannu Kantonen for the Real Estate and Facility Services Team. The chairmen of the teams comprise TEKEL ry’s executive board together with TEKEL’s Executive Director and Communications Manager. The team chairmen will also comprise the board of Tekel Oy for 2011.

– In 2011, the network of technology centres and science parks will focus even more strongly on new opportunities and on bringing out and sharing the best ideas, stresses TEKEL’s Executive Director, Kyösti Jääskeläinen.

Vantaa Innovation Institute Ltd becomes a member of TEKEL

Vantaa Innovation Institute Ltd has joined the network of Finnish technology centres.

– TEKEL offers a well-functioning national and international network for the development of Vantaa. Vantaa and Aviapolis, with its 33,500 jobs, in turn offer TEKEL’s members an international testing and development environment for technology companies. In addition, Vantaa Innovation Institute together with one of China’s larger funders, China Development Bank, will accelerate access to Chinese markets for Finnish firms, says Vantaa Innovation Institute’s CEO, Martti Launonen.

Finland’s technology centres came together at the TEKEL conference in Espoo at the end of November 2010.

For further information, please contact:

Kyösti Jääskeläinen, Executive Director
Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL
tel. 040 541 7971; kyosti.jaaskelainen (at) tekel.fi

Pasi Mäkinen, Chairman of the Board of TEKEL (from the beginning of 2011)
Managing Director, Culminatum Innovation Oy Ltd
tel. 0400 246 492; pasi.makinen (at) culminatum.fi

Martti Launonen, CEO
Vantaa Innovation Institute Ltd
tel. 040 518 8528; martti.launonen (at) vantaainnovation.fi

The Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL is a nationwide co-operation network of Finnish science parks and technology centres, containing 31 members in Finland’s university cities. Together with its partners, TEKEL develops internationally attractive environments for innovation.
These science parks support the creation, growth and internationalisation of technology-intensive business and growth companies. They offer their customers an innovation- and operating environment that activates growth, business development services, co-operation in programmes and projects, and key contacts and network connections. www.tekel.fi

Vantaa Innovation Institute Ltd is accelerating the growth of Vantaa and the Aviapolis area into a hotbed for international companies. It supports the companies’ internationalisation, the location of international companies, and the generation of new jobs in Vantaa, particularly in the Aviapolis area. Its partners are companies, universities and research and training institutes active on the international market. The non-profit development company was established in 2009 and is owned by the City of Vantaa. The head office is located in a technology centre in the Aviapolis area of Vantaa. www.vantaainnovation.fi

Through the ideas contributed by Nokia, the business development services offered by Technopolis as well as funding from Tekes and participating Finnish cities, the three-year programme has succeeded in building a new operations model for the creation of new companies, products and services. The judges of the Productive Idea competition thought the initiative reflected a new means to stimulate profitable entrepreneurship, and they hope to see the idea spread to the innovation departments of other companies as well.

The annual Productive Idea competition, held since 1977, aims to promote innovation and new business ideas as well as emphasize the key role they play in societal development. The objective is to raise appreciation for entrepreneurial ventures and highlight the importance of creative ideas and risk-taking decision makers to the national economy and welfare. The winning idea may be a new product, service, production method, operations model, concept, or business idea.

”Winning the main prize in the Productive Idea 2010 competition is a great acknowledgment for the whole initiative. It proves that an operations model such as ours truly has the ability to create new, profitable services and products as well as develop the strong ICT cluster in Finland. Nokia wishes to offer support to Finnish ICT companies by helping them to be competitive on an international scale. Nokia challenges other large companies to join collaborative initiatives of this kind, because they benefit the community as a whole,” says Mr. Esko Aho, Nokia’s Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations and Responsibility.

Nokia’s role in the initiative is to contribute ideas to participating companies, which may either already be in operation or just starting up. The three-year initiative aims to create a total of one hundred corporate projects The Nokia Technopolis Innovation Mill initiative is the result of co-operation between Nokia, Tekes, which grants funding and Technopolis, which acts as coordinator. The programme offers Finnish companies everything they need to develop a business idea from the innovation itself to a suitable operating environment and funding solutions. Ten Finnish cities are also participating in the initiative, with the objective of strengthening entrepreneurship in their local area.

“When processing the applications for the Innovation Mill, we use a quick, straightforward initiative model with minimal bureaucracy. This way we can make funding decisions within a
week of receiving the application,” says Juha Tanskanen, Senior Technology Adviser at Tekes. The ambitious objective of the Innovation Mill initiative is to get large Finnish companies from other trades to join in.  According to calculations by Tekes and Technopolis, during the three-year initiative, it would be possible to create as many as 100 new corporate projects in Finland if other Finnish companies were to join the initiative and respond to Nokia’s challenge to take social responsibility in a new way.

According to Keith Silverang, the CEO of Technopolis, the initiative has already proven that an idea that might go unnoticed in a large company can, in the right hands and with
adequate support, turn into an interesting and productive business activity.

”Nokia’s commitment during the launch of the initiative had a huge impact on the success of the whole programme. Now it is time to challenge other large companies in Finland to join. We believe that together we can develop a nationwide enthusiasm for the initiative. A cooperation model such as the Nokia Technopolis Innovation Mill is a unique concept, in which
funding and productization work efficiently and quickly, in the long run creating new Finnish success stories,” says Silverang.

The Nokia Technopolis Innovation Mill initiative has led to 24 positive funding decisions so far, and aims to produce another 10 by May 2011.

Contact information:

Keith Silverang, CEO, Technopolis
Tel +358 40 566 7785, email keith.silverang(at)technopolis.fi

Juha Tanskanen, Senior Technology Adviser, Tekes
Tel +358 50 557 7860, email juha.tanskanen(at)tekes.fi

Press services, Nokia
Tel +358 7180 34 900 (Press services), email
press.services(at)nokia.com

(Source: Technopolis PLC press release 18th October, 2010)

Technopolis’ investment in the new company totals EUR 9.43 million. The final transaction price will be adjusted later based on Technopolis Ülemiste’s net debt position. In addition, an earn-out payment totaling EUR 0.5 million will be paid, if the company achieves certain targets over the next two years.

Technopolis Group has a 51 % holding in Technopolis Ülemiste, while the remaining 49 % interest is held by Smart City Group subsidiary Ülemiste City As.

Technopolis Ülemiste has a property portfolio comprising approximately 70,000 square meters with approximately 46,000 square meters of modern office buildings. The company also owns building rights totaling approximately 150,000 square meters and suitable for office space. The enterprise value of Technopolis Ülemiste is EUR 63.5 million with loans totaling EUR 43 million.

The company’s pro forma full-year net sales is expected to total EUR 4.5 million and EBITDA EUR 3.6 million.

Information about the establishment of Technopolis Ülemiste have been covered in the stock exchange release published on March 26, 2010 and in the interim report covering January 1 – June 30, 2010 published on July 17, 2010.

With the closing of this deal, the Group’s Management estimates that Technopolis’ net sales and EBITDA will grow between 2 – 4% in 2010. The earlier estimate called for net sales and EBITDA growth of 0 – 2 %.

Technopolis Plc

Keith Silverang
CEO
Phone: +358 40 566 7785

(Source:Technopolis Plc release 7th October, 2010)

Phase 2A, currently under construction and scheduled for completion at the beginning of October, consists of new company premises and a parking garage with a total area of 13,400 m2. The stage 2B parking garage, for which construction will now commence, comprises 5,100m2, with 184 new parking places at an estimated cost of approximately EUR 2.2 million.

“Technopolis wants to build a 60,000 square meter complex at Viestikatu, containing premises for about 1,800 people. Approximately 35 percent of the total work will be completed by
the end of the year. The excellent, central location of the area in the Kuopio Science Park, the strong demand for the premises, and customers with strong growth potential all contribute to the excellent growth potential of Technopolis in Kuopio. The close proximity of the Viestikatu property to the already completed Microkatu property provides synergies for both us and our customers,” says Hannu Eronen, Director of Technopolis’ Kuopio operations.

Technopolis has more than 150 customers in Kuopio. As a result of this expansion, the total extent of the premises owned by Technopolis in Kuopio will be increased to 135,000 gross-m2.

For more information:

Keith Silverang, President and CEO, tel. +358 40 566 7785
Hannu Eronen, Director, Kuopio operations, tel. +358 40 754 0576
 
(Source: Technopolis Plc  August 18th 2010)