2 June 2015, workshop "Growth and funding of innovation activities in Tampere Region"
At the beginning of June, the focus was placed on growth companies and R&D funding in New Factory offices at Finlayson. The event was co-hosted by the Council of Tampere Region and Tekes (Tampere Region ELY Centre). The results from workshops and diverse conversations are attached.
“An excellent discussion was guaranteed by the various backgrounds of the participants and the fact that everyone works with innovations and funding, in one way or another. It was refreshing to talk with members outside own organisation. This working method should certainly be continued.”
Mika Sievi-Korte, director of Growth and Innovations unit, Tampere Region ELY Centre and Tekes.
Pirkanmaa growth and funding barometer, June 2015
Quotes:
“We have an excessive number of the world's best companies here in Tampere Region that are not known in Helsinki.”
“Obstacles to the growth of companies include account management, value development and international capabilities.”
“Private funds do not finance the first stages of the food chain.”
“We must have special expertise together with a productive idea.”
“Funding is rarely the only problem.”
“Our competitor countries offer funding of a million in a single week, whereas here it takes months to get a few tens of thousands.”
17 June 2015, "Open Innovation Platforms Jam"
The Open Innovation Platforms Jam invited platform providers from Tampere and the region to discuss current trends in platform development. The Open Innovation Platforms Jam processed a measurement database and the opportunities for shared indicators on different innovation platforms.
“Open innovation platforms are based on co-creation of teams with various backgrounds, a curated interactive process and a culture of experimentation. Open innovation platforms have become a significant part of regional innovation ecosystems. After a decrease in the R&D resources available to organisations, a need for more inexpensive and agile innovation processes has arisen. These can be enabled by innovation platforms.
Measurements display the significance of the platforms in the innovation system. Furthermore, the measurements are connected to objectives set by the platform for itself and its thirst for development.”
Anniina Heinikangas, Analyst, Council of Tampere Region
The Jam was held at Tampere University as part of the platform management events of the 6Aika Open Innovation Platforms spearhead project. The part of the project concerning platform management is led by Tampere University and the Council of Tampere Region.
Presentations of the Jam are available (in Fin) on the Tampere 6Aika Open Innovation Platforms blog.
See also YouTube clips and answers (in Fin) to the question: Mikä on avoin innovaatioalusta? What is open innovation platform? Mika Raunio (Uni Tampere), Minna Tiihonen (YLE) ja Ville Korpiluoto (Demola Tampere), Taina Ketola (Council of Tampere Region) ja Petri Räsänen (Council of Tampere Region).
25 August 2015, "Innovation activities and internationality in Tampere Region"
The most recent news regarding the international connectivity of innovation activities in Tampere Region was discussed and interpreted in the internationality workshop. How we would be able to improve international connections for Tampere Region to aid flows of expertise, information and capital, were discussed.
The workshop's partners included the Council of Tampere Region, the Tampere Region EU Office and the Talent Tampere network. The workshop was held at the TreStart/Talent Space.
The workshop spot led by Hannele Räikkönen, director of Tampere Region EU Office, discussed the following:
- Should the application processes for EU funding be supported? If yes, how?
- Should the application process focus on the region's strengths or should everything be supported?
- Should support focus expressly on small and medium-sized companies? How?
- Does support for EU funding need political support from regional and municipal management?
- Would a common EU strategy be advantageous or disadvantageous?
- What kinds of objectives could we set?
- How can successes be evaluated?
The topic of international experts was discussed and led by Marjukka Hourunranta and Laura Lindeman, managers of the Talent Tampere network. Various groups discussed how immigrants could be more naturally guided to form parts of the innovation ecosystem of Tampere Region.
Key issues registered at the workshop included:
- The access of international experts to existing professional networks and innovation platforms should be resolved. -> Marketing and operations should also be offered in English, taking the target group into account.
- Low-threshold meeting places that are open to non-speakers of Finnish. Concrete actions!
- Demola is already running but it is not being utilised in full in regional marketing or in the international communications of universities.
- The residence permit consideration process should include an innovation exception if the reason for residence is participation in the development of some form of new production.
- A familiarisation week for international experts.
- “All Finn Panel” stamp to be used at internationalisation events. -> International people engaged.
“We should pay special attention to how open we are to working with international experts and how ready we are to accept them for our development processes, networks and platforms.”
Laura Lindeman, Talent Attraction Manager, Tredea Oy.
Next: The process is lead by the regional network of innovation actors and stakeholders or Back to Contents
