Current centres
So far, six Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation have been launched:
Finnish Bioeconomy Cluster FIBIC Ltd
In March 2007, major companies in the Finnish forest cluster together with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the Finnish Forest Research Institute, and four Finnish universities established a joint venture called Forestcluster Ltd, responsible for the operations within the forest cluster. Forestcluster Ltd was appointed a Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation in May 2007. The name of the cluster was changed in 2012 into Finnish Bioeconomy Cluster FIBIC Ltd.
FIBIC aims at doubling the value of the industry’s products and services by 2030 (compared to 2006). Forestcluster Ltd launched its first research programme in summer 2008, “Intelligent and resource-efficient production technologies”. The programme will run for five years with a funding of some EUR 40 million.
FIBIC launches research and innovation programmes and channels research funding to select focus areas and goal-oriented research. The Finnish Bioeconomy Cluster Research Portal is designed to help researchers prepare and implement the Finnish National Research Agenda (NRA).
Interview with CEO Christine Hagström-Näsi, FIBIC Ltd (video, in Finnish)
Information and communication industry and services: TIVIT Ltd
TIVIT Ltd, which coordinates the strategic centre for the information and communication industry and services (ICT SHOK), was established in February 2008. TIVIT’s partners include key companies, research institutes and institutions of higher education. The company invests some EUR 40 million a year in research and development of ICT-based ecosystems.
TIVIT was founded in response to the fragmented nature and short-term perspective of R&D&I and funding in the ICT sector, and also to address the absence of a clear vision of the future needs and potential of the sector at large.
Information on the programmes launched by TIVIT is available on its website.
Interview with CEO Reijo Paajanen, TIVIT Ltd (video, in Finnish)
Metal products and mechanical engineering: FIMECC Ltd
The main organisation behind FIMECC Ltd (Finnish Metals and Engineering Competence Cluster) is the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries. FIMECC launched in April 2008.
FIMECC’s strategic research themes are service business, user experience, global networks, intelligent solutions and breakthrough materials. More information is available on the FIMECC website.
Interview with CEO Harri Kulmala, FIMECC Ltd (video, in Finnish)
Energy and the environment: CLEEN Ltd
The key organisations preparing the energy and environment cluster CLEEN Ltd were the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), the Finnish Energy Industries (ET), the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, the Association of Environmental Enterprises, and the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries. CLEEN was established in May 2008.
Interview with CEO Tommy Jacobson, CLEEN Ltd (video, in Finnish)
Built environment: RYM Ltd
The decision to establish a Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation within the real estate and construction sector was made on 28 January 2009 by the executive group for the strategic centres. At the initial phase, the centre is expected to involve some 50 key actors in the sector. The aim is to strengthen Finnish knowledge and know-how and international competitiveness by boosting broad-based and internationally networked leading-edge research within four thematic areas.
Interview with CEO Ari Ahonen, RYM Ltd (video, in Finnish)
Health and wellbeing: SalWe Ltd
The Strategic Centre for Health and Well-being launched its operations on 6 April 2009. The centre aims at improving the health and wellbeing of Finnish people and boosting business operations within the Finnish health sector. The focus of the centre’s practical work is on the development of products, services and practices with a view to preventing and treating diseases with major public health and economic impact, such as obesity and related diseases, neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, cancers, and infectious and inflammatory diseases.
The centre’s first three programmes were launched at the beginning of 2010 with a focus on brain health and functional capacity, smart monitoring of individual health and wellbeing, as well as obesity and related health challenges. Each programme has its own defined goals and target effects on population health. The core expertise of the forces behind SalWe lies in research into diabetes and vascular diseases, the brain and the central nervous system, and molecular medicine. This expertise is supplemented by advanced expertise in diagnostics and imaging, calculation, and nutrition and ICT.
Preparations for the centre were coordinated by Finnish Bioindustries.
Interview with CEO Saara Hassinen, SalWe Ltd (video, in Finnish)