Espoo Innovation Day 

This article series presents cases of innovations built here in Espoo that strive for a better tomorrow for all.

Espoo Innovation Day invites foreign embassies in Finland to dive into and connect with the Espoo innovation community. Arranged for the first time in 2023 together with Aalto University, VTT and the Foreign Ministry of Finland, the event attracted around 70 diplomats from nearly 50 countries. The event was deemed a success by the diplomatic community as well as the local actors and was repeated in May 2024. The second edition included an even stronger focus on talent attraction and attracted around 60 diplomats from 40 countries.

Espoo Innovation Day is an example of how the city can use its position to tap into networks that stimulate growth and global visibility of the local innovation community. It has enabled building new connections to international markets and partners by matching the diplomatic community with the local businesses, university and research institutions. Follow-ups of the event have included for instance connection of local businesses with Portuguese and Danish business ecosystems and trading agencies, as well as increased interest by foreign Embassies to visit the Espoo innovation community together with business delegations from their origin countries.