Espoo Innovation Day introduced ambassadors to Espoo’s innovation community

The day offered the diplomatic community an opportunity to experience Espoo’s innovation culture. The aim of the event is to build international connections for actors in Espoo’s innovation community and to increase Espoo’s international visibility. 

“Espoo is an open and international city where talent and ideas from around the world meet. International expertise and global cooperation are a key part of our success and growth. Here, cutting-edge research is turned into practical solutions that have an impact across the world,” said Mayor Kai Mykkänen in his speech to the ambassadors.

Companies in Espoo have top-class patenting capabilities. We rank fourth in the number of European patent applications, accounting for 73% of all patent applications in Finland. Espoo Innovation Day showcased these strengths to international visitors in a concrete way.

The event presented solutions developed in Espoo for, among other things, safe and data-driven induction of labour, quantum technology, and next-generation antennas for space, aviation and defence use.

Guests also visited the EriCa hub for green chemistry in Kivenlahti, and the WeeGee Exhibition Centre, where they were introduced to cooperation opportunities offered by Espoo’s cultural operators. 

Now held for the fourth time, Espoo Innovation Day has established itself as a way to strengthen Espoo’s role among the most interesting knowledge and innovation hubs in Northern Europe. The event supports the meeting of science, art and business and deepens Espoo’s cooperation with embassies.

“It is important that we can communicate Espoo’s opportunities to those who carry the message of Finland to their home countries. Embassies play a key role in attracting international delegations to Finland and in the practical arrangements of cooperation. This event, organised together with our partners, strengthens Espoo’s international visibility as a city of innovation,” says Milla Ovaska, Head of International Affairs at the City of Espoo.

The event was organised by the City of Espoo and Enter Espoo in collaboration with Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.