HealthTech meets AI in Otaniemi
The future of health and medical technology is built in Espoo.
Health tech innovators are currently building tools that can fundamentally reshape healthcare and clinical research. In Otaniemi, Espoo, where research, startups, and global infrastructure meet, high-performance computing is in the spotlight at the new LUMI AI Factory Hub.
On March 31, 2026, Otaniemi welcomed startups, SMEs, and innovators to explore how Finland’s toptier AI ecosystem could accelerate healthrelated RDI work. As part of a European network, Finland’s LUMI AI Factory accelerates innovation in artificial intelligence.
LUMI AI Factory, built on the LUMI supercomputer and enhanced with AI optimised and emerging quantum technologies, it offers a world class platform for advancing AI adoption. Henrik Honkanen, Business Domain Manager Health and Life Sciences from CSC and Heli Hidén, Senior Advisor from the City of Espoo welcomed participants and speakers for an inspiring afternoon, with a keynote speak from Jiancheng “JC” Yang, an ELLIS Institute Finland and Aalto University assistant professor.
Current trends in AI and health tech
JC Yang has done interdisciplinary AI research, that holds strong potential for social good, facilitating real-world benefits. Yang shared the current trends in AI for health, including:
- Scaling & adaptive AI – AI systems grow across populations and continuously adapt to new data, settings, and patient needs.
- Generative & agentic AI – AI models create content, insights, or plans to support clinical and operational workflows.
- From specialist to generalist – Health-tech is currently shifting from narrow, task specific AI tools toward versatile systems that work across multiple medical domains.
- Digital twins – Virtual replicas of patients or systems used to simulate outcomes, personalize care, and test interventions before real-world use.
JC Yang also provided perspectives on the potential of AI within healthcare in Finland, highlighting distinctive advantages such as access to Finnish Biobank data, a focus on preventative and aging-centric healthcare, emerging expertise among next-generation AI specialists, and the use of AI patients for simulations and clinical trials.
ELLIS institute in Espoo
The Finnish ELLIS Institute is a leading AI research institute that began operations in Otaniemi in 2025, and the second institute of the network in Europe. World‑class research in AI and machine learning is carried out in close collaboration with Finnish universities, companies, and other research, development, and innovation (RDI) stakeholders.
LUMI AI Factory: Supercomputer Access and Advisory Services
The LUMI AI Factory is at the forefront of advancing Europe’s competitiveness by promoting positive societal and environmental outcomes. It achieves this by enabling AI innovation across a range of key sectors, including life sciences, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and engineering. The Factory’s resources are open to startups, SMEs, academic institutions, and industry organisations, providing unparalleled opportunities to harness leading-edge technology.
Currently, startups and SMEs can benefit from free supercomputer access and advisory services. These offerings are designed to lower the barriers to entry, ensuring that even early-stage companies can take advantage of leading European support. This initiative is pivotal in fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem and driving forward digital transformation throughout the region.
Health & Med tech and AI growth in Espoo
Espoo is experiencing robust growth in the health, medtech, and AI sectors. The local ecosystem is dynamic, with new companies continuously emerging—both as startups and spin-offs from advanced research. The city’s innovation landscape is notable, with over 9% of Espoo-based early-stage startups operating in health and medtech. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are particularly prominent, employed by 42% of startups in Espoo.
The city’s strength lies in its diverse deep tech base. Espoo fosters the development and integration of advanced technologies across multiple domains, creating considerable growth opportunities for startups. Technology choices play a significant role, with quantum technologies witnessing growth effects of approximately +151% and AI technologies seeing growth of around +60%.
Hybrid computing and deep tech innovation
Through the LUMI AI Factory, innovators now have access to hybrid computing, which combines quantum computing with traditional supercomputing. This combination unlocks new potential for addressing complex computational challenges, accelerating discoveries in artificial intelligence, quantum research, and advanced simulations. The availability of LUMI’s supercomputer and advisory services further catalyses this growth, empowering Espoo-based startups and SMEs to utilise state-of-the-art computational resources and expert guidance.
By embracing hybrid computing via LUMI, Espoo strengthens its reputation as a centre for deep tech innovation. This approach not only supports European competitiveness but also transforms the landscape of scientific and industrial development in the region.
Supporting SMEs through FAIR EDIH
In addition, the City of Espoo is a part of Finnish AI Region FAIR EDIH, offering specialised AI deployment services to SMEs. FAIR helps facilitate digital transformation and provides SMEs with access to advanced technologies, further reinforcing Espoo’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
Contact details at Economic Development Unit, City of Espoo: