Success in the global networked economy is based on being among the pioneers. This requires partners who feature among the world’s top performers and the early recognition of changing trends which influence innovative activities.
FinNode is a global network of Finnish innovation organisations. Operating via nodes in global innovation activity, FinNode actively reveals new openings for Finnish business and research organisations and supports their internationalisation. It connects Finnish and international experts and the know-how required to promote innovation. As FinNode represents all sections of the Finnish innovation system in the countries where it operates, foreign partners can engage with Finland’s central public innovation organisations.
The FinNode network operates in the United States, China, Russia, Japan and India.
FinNode’s international network consists of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finpro, Tekes (the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation), Sitra (the Finnish Innovation Fund), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the Academy of Finland. The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK also participate in directing FinNode’s activities. Finpro is responsible for management of the FinNode network.
The network’s principal interest groups in Finland are Centres of Expertise (OSKEs), Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation (SHOKs), and regional Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELYs). The FinNode network offers participants an umbrella organisation under which common objectives can be promoted.
Why FinNode?
Innovations are a central driving force in economic growth and they secure Finnish competitiveness, result in the establishment of successful companies and expand the skills and know-how base in research institutions. Preconditions for innovation include the existence of a broad-based and effective co-operation network, the ability to combine different skills, a positive attitude towards exerting influence and taking action, and a pioneering spirit.
International co-operation and benefiting from global know-how and resources are essential elements in Finland’s future success.
FinNode’s operations
FinNodes connect Finland and Finnish companies to a global innovation network and also provide a window onto the Finnish innovation system. The network’s primary tasks are monitoring the operational environment (innovation watch), handling FinNode projects and the transmission of change-related information to Finland.
Early signals relayed to Finland by FinNode trigger the discussion of change and related opportunities that could arise. In FinNode projects, phenomena of interest are extracted from global observations and their significance is analysed from the viewpoint of Finnish interests. FinNode future sessions challenge companies and research communities to debate global change-related signals and benefit from the resulting business opportunities.
Finnode Future Sessions
FinNode Future Sessions provide foresight information in form of concrete examples from around the world to the Finnish companies and organizations. The concept has emphasis on interaction which gives the participants added value in a new way.
The goal for each Future Session is to create value networks around a certain topic and to find concrete business opportunities for this network. FinNode Future Sessions are organized simultaneously in several different ELY centers across Finland (in Helsinki the main venue is Finpro premises) and other locations which are linked to each other using videoconference facilities. The duration of the sessions is approximately 2,5 hours and they are free of charge.
Information about upcoming Future Sessions will be updated in the event calender and you can also check this website for ongoing registrations.
