Innocity Joensuu 2

Innokaupunki Joensuu 2 is a group project led and coordinated by Business Joensuu Oy. Project’s part-implementers are the University of Eastern Finland, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Luonnonvarakeskus (Luke) and the city of Joensuu. The group project implements the Innovation Activity Ecosystem Agreement 2021 – 2027 drawn up and signed between the city of Joensuu and the state in 2021. The implementation period of the project is June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025.

The main goal of the group project at the end of the project: Joensuu’s reputation as a world-class national driver of the areas of expertise in photonics and forest bioeconomy has grown. We are an even more efficient supporter of research-utilizing innovations and new companies seeking sustainable growth, a business promoter and a center for cutting-edge research. The R&D activities of the Photonics Joensuu and Forest Joensuu interest groups, supported and committed together, support business arising from innovations and enhance multidisciplinary project activities. The region’s role as an attractive environment for new innovative companies has strengthened and promoted new investments in the Joensuu region.

The concrete implementation of the project is divided into five work packages (WP):
WP1 Innovation Joensuu
WP2 Photonics Joensuu
WP3 Forest Joensuu
WP4 Communication
WP5 Urban development

In work package 1, a new type of business development INNOPAD model that meets the needs of research-oriented startup companies is designed and tested, innovation blanks are prepared for evaluation by the Photonics and Forest Joensuu innogroups, the coordination activity of the innogroup work piloted in a previous project is developed, and the identification and directing of research-oriented innovation blanks to business development services is enhanced, e.g. by organizing various events for startups, for students and companies (e.g. Hackathon 2024 and startup bars 2024 and 2025), information sessions and meetings for teachers of educational institutions and professors of photonics and forest biology, as well as expert visits from Business Joensuu to educational institutions. In addition, the meeting between startup and growth companies and financiers is promoted, e.g. by organizing the Investor Summit Eastern Finland event. Business Joensuu is responsible for these measures.

The expected results of the work package are e.g. piloted INNOPAD operating model, increased number of new research-oriented innovation blanks, increase in research-oriented startup activity, e.g. as a result of organized events, the number of startup teams of students and researchers, e.g. in startup competitions outside the region, and the increase in the recognition of Innovation Joensuu.

Work package 2 develops the photonics business ecosystem through the activities of the Photonics Joensuu innogroup, promotes business cooperation and networking, e.g. by mapping companies that supplement value networks, by participating in trade fair events with our own Photonics Joensuu department, and by organizing visits to Joensuu by Finnish and foreign delegations and companies. The work package also develops and complements the service offering of the Photonics Center community and markets services to potential customers, as well as conducting Chips Act background investigation work. Business Joensuu is responsible for these measures. In addition, the work package develops the operating and service environment of Karelia University of Applied Sciences’ precision technology, e.g. by preparing implementation actions aimed at companies (technology surveys, pilots, company group projects, training activities, etc.) and enhancing customer acquisition. The University of Eastern Finland develops business cooperation and networking of experts in the field of photonics, e.g. with company visits and alumni activities and to promote companies’ RDI activities, e.g. through the utilization of student internships, theses, research projects and research infrastructure.

The expected results of the work package are e.g. an increase in the number of innovation blanks and company-oriented R&D commissions, the strengthening of the value network of photonics with new companies, an action plan serving the Photonics Center community, the strengthening of Joensuu’s role in the European Chips Act entity, where a pilot line entity is being prepared at the Finnish and European level, an increase in the number of processes from research to business, and photonics and precision technology made for companies technology reports.

In work package 3, the forest bioeconomy business ecosystem is developed through the activities of the Forest Joensuu innogroup, business cooperation and networking are promoted, e.g. by mapping companies that complement value networks, by participating in national and international events in the field (including trade fair stands, presentations and operator visits) and by conducting visits to Joensuu by Finnish and foreign delegations and companies. Business Joensuu is responsible for these measures. In addition, the work package will produce products at Karelia University of Applied Sciences, e.g. the ”Forest In” applied research and business opportunity visit concept for international actors, as well as the further development of Forests’ Digital Twin operation together with the University of Eastern Finland and Luke. The University of Eastern Finland approaches companies with e.g. morning coffee events, thematic information sessions and presentations of UEF’s expertise and cooperation opportunities.

The expected results of the work package are e.g. the increase in the number of innovation blanks and company-oriented R&D commissions, the strengthening of the forest bioeconomy value network with new companies, the RDI cooperation of forest demo areas (digital forest), the increase in the number of processes from research to business, and the concept of the visitor service for applied research.

In work package 4, innovation activity and its results are communicated through e.g. Innovation Joensuu’s own channels, the Innokaupungit network and earned and paid media measures, the Photonics Joensuu and Forest Joensuu brands and their awareness are strengthened, e.g. by organizing a familiarization trip for Finnish and international media representatives to Joensuu, implementing brand communication and pilot campaigns in different channels, organizing the Forest&Photonics event (job title) and committing actors to the use of common communication materials and information sharing. Business Joensuu is responsible for these measures. In addition, the city of Joensuu implements communication related to urban development, e.g. by producing an extra issue of Joensuu Uutiset about study and employment opportunities in photonics and forest bioeconomy, by implementing presentation material as an attachment to the city’s mover’s letter, and by preparing and piloting a guided themed tour introducing Joensuu’s forest and photonics sites, which can be combined with e.g. media and influencer visits and the area to tourism services.

The expected results of the work package are e.g. visibility of the ecosystems and brands of Innovation Joensuu, Photonics Joensuu and Forest Joensuu in local, national and international media as well as an increase in recognition, uniform use of prepared communication, positioning and marketing materials among ecosystem operators and companies, and a guided themed tour presenting photonics and forest bioeconomy sites.

Work package 5 develops the visibility and piloting of photonics and forest bioeconomy in the urban environment, e.g. by promoting the implementation and design of photonics and forest bioeconomy reference sites visible in the urban environment, by preparing the implementation plan for the monument or attraction of the forest capital Joensuu, and by carrying out a preliminary survey of the experimental environment in the Mehtimäki area, the aim of which is to find out the possibilities of the area for the implementation of R&D activities in e.g. forest bioeconomy, photonics and circular economy, and energy sub-areas. The city of Joensuu is responsible for these measures.

The expected results of the work package are e.g. Forest capital Joensuu’s monument implementation plan and communication materials, as well as preliminary study of the experimental environment in the Mehtimäki area, preliminary implementation plan and budget.