HEVi promotes the innovation ecosystem and collaboration of the Finnish capital region

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

The strength of Finland lies in its collective ability to accomplish substantial endeavors. In the capital region, this comes to life in Helsinki-Espoo-Vantaa Innovation Program (HEVi), a collaboration across municipal boundaries fostering sustainability and paving the way for innovative ventures.

HEVi, primarily funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is a platform for innovations aiming to improve the capital region for its residents, propel Finnish innovations onto the global stage, and foster enhanced collaboration. During 2021–2027, HEVi promotes the strategic allocation of public and private RDI funding and the strengthening of the region’s globally competitive ecosystem of development hubs, innovation centers, and business services.

HEVi’s project portfolio is established around four key themes: smart and sustainable urban solutions, wellbeing and health technology, learning environments and edtech solutions, and ecosystem development and new ventures.

Projects supported by the platform are ambitious and forward-thinking, delivering tangible outcomes with long-lasting impacts. Insights from the Six City Strategy (2014–2022) on how to streamline approaches and outcomes within large-scale development endeavors have been utilized in developing the portfolio.

Currently, the platform supports a total of 16 projects that pilot and develop solutions for regional energy self-sufficiency, systemically sustainable food solutions and food waste reduction, circular housing, new mobility services, and expanding the innovation ecosystem. These initiatives include a game industry hub, Espoo Game Hub, services for startups landing in the region, and innovative procurement with a structured framework and creating a shared operating model for answering complex urban challenges.