Espoo Innovation Day showcased innovations that the world needs
Espoo Innovation Day, held for the second time, is an example of how the city can leverage its position in networks that promote the growth and global visibility of the local innovation community. On 24 May 2024, the event brought together ambassadors from foreign embassies in Finland and other representatives from 40 countries to find out what makes Espoo’s innovation community so unique.
Espoo Innovation Day offered the diplomatic community an opportunity to experience the innovation culture in Espoo. The event provided a view of the actors in the innovation community that will have a major impact on a sustainable future.
“In Espoo, innovation is not just a concept, it’s a way of life. Our success is rooted in creativity and nurtured by shared goals and values. We have a culture where residents, companies, educators and developers unite for collective progress. As I often say, our city succeeds in anything we do together,” Mayor Jukka Mäkelä said in his speech to the diplomatic community.
Espoo Innovation Day has established itself as one of the ways to promote Espoo’s increasingly stronger position as the most internationally interesting and attractive centre of innovation for competence, science, art and business in Northern Europe. The event also strengthens Espoo’s networks with embassies.
“Embassies play a key role in attracting investments and companies and in organising practical cooperation. With the help of an event organised together with our partners, we can strengthen Espoo’s international reputation as an innovation city,” says Milla Ovaska, Head of International Affairs at Espoo.
In addition to the actors in the innovation community, the diplomats also familiarised themselves with the services offered by the City of Espoo:
- services for international companies(external link, opens in a new window)
- services for international professionals
The event was organised by the City of Espoo and Enter Espoo in cooperation with Aalto University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.