Strong innovation culture landed Espoo in the finals of the European Capital of Innovation competition
The City of Espoo has been selected as one of the three finalists in the European Capital of Innovation competition (iCapital Awards). The winner of the competition will be announced in Lisbon on 13 November.
Espoo generates the sixth-highest number of patent applications in all of Europe, accounting for 60% of Finland’s total patent applications. Over 95% of total startup funding in Espoo was raised by impact startups addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Per-capita emissions have decreased by 62% from 1990 to 2023. These examples demonstrate that Espoo’s innovation community has an important role in addressing global challenges.
The latest proof of this is Espoo reaching the finals of the European Capital of Innovation competition. Espoo competes in the over 250,000 inhabitants category alongside Turin and the West Midlands Combined Authority from the UK. The competition is looking for a European city that has made exemplary efforts to promote the creation of new innovations that improve everyday life.
“In Espoo, innovation is not just a concept but a way of life. Our success is based on creativity and shared values and goals. Together with Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the city forms a core that brings together all stakeholders – startups, students, top companies, researchers and residents – to create innovations for a better life,” says Mayor of Espoo Jukka Mäkelä.
Espoo’s competition application focused particularly on creating a hopeful future for young people: innovations emerge when we take care of our residents’ wellbeing and their ability to participate.
Our impactful approach is based on four cornerstones:
- radical cross-disciplinary cooperation
- shared goals based on sustainable development
- cooperation built on closeness and trust
- people’s wellbeing and inclusion.
The next European Capital of Innovation will be announced on 13 November in Lisbon. This is the fourth time Espoo makes it to the finals (previously in 2019, 2020 and 2022), which attests to Espoo’s strong innovation culture. In 2022, Espoo ranked second in the competition, which is the best result ever achieved by a Finnish city.
Enquiries:
- Jukka Mäkelä, Mayor, tel. +358 46 8773953, jukka.makela@espoo.fi
- Mervi Heinaro, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Sports and Culture, tel. +358 40 6369250, mervi.heinaro@espoo.fi
- Katja Sjöholm, Development Manager, tel. +358 43 8267645, katja.sjoholm@espoo.fi
- Press release, 29 August 2024: Espoo makes it to the semifinals in the European Capital of Innovation Awards