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New ideas - Finland

Updated 10/2012

Legal requirements

The aim of the national innovation strategy is to extend and diversify innovation policy and its implementation. An extensive innovation policy will affect the knowledge-based competitiveness and regeneration of the business sector, economy and regions. It will promote the exploitation of innovation in the public sector and in society as a whole.

  • National innovation strategy suomi

The development and exploitation of innovations and technology, and the planning and directing of funding for innovation, product development and technology, falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy (TEM).

  • Ministry of Employment and the Economy (TEM) suomi
  • Council of State Decree on the Ministry of Employment and the Economy suomi

Technological innovation

Inventions are solutions that can be applied to a problem in a new and surprising way. An invention can either be a new device or method, or an improvement to an existing one. An invention might also be based on a novel application of familiar technology. The Foundation for Finnish Inventions assists with the development of inventions and innovative business ideas.

  • Foundation for Finnish Inventions suomi

The National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland (PRH) supports technical and economic development. Through it, inventors, product developers, researchers, manufacturers and marketers can protect the industrial rights that they own: this is done by means of patents, trademarks, model protection and utility models.

  • National Board of Patents and Registrations (PRH) suomi

Alongside innovation, access to R&D is essential for businesses to develop and stay competitive.

Intellectual property must be protected to encourage innovation.

Resources

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy has a website providing information on research, know-how and innovation.

  • Innovations suomi

The National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland (PRH) provides information in different forms: registers and databases, information and research services, training and advice.

  • National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland suomi

EnterpriseFinland has compiled plenty of publicly funded advice relating to setting up, expanding and internationalising a business, and relating to innovation.

  • EnterpriseFinland - Product and service development suomi

Finnfacts publishes data on the economic situation in Finland. It also arranges visits for potential suppliers to Finnish companies. It supports business marketing and promotes international exposure of the business sector.

  • Finnfacts suomi

Research.fi information service contains key statistics and other information describing Finnish science and technology. The service also has links to more detailed background information: statistical and other publications, documents and databases.

  • Research.fi suomi

Programmes

The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) finances challenging research and development projects and promotes business development.

  • TEKES suomi

The Tekes online administration offers customers the opportunity to follow funding applications and the status of funded projects.

  • Online administration suomi

The Finnish Academy offers long-term funding for high-quality scientific research. The funding is based on a reliable assessment, expertise of science policy and extensive international collaboration. The Academy of Finland is the most important provider of funding for fundamental research in Finland.

  • Finnish Academy suomi

SITRA, the Finnish Innovation Fund is an independent public fund. It focuses on programmes in the areas of public health, food and nutrition, and energy. It promotes Finland's stable, balanced development, quantitative and qualitative economic growth and international competitiveness and collaboration.

  • SITRA suomi

Finland's EU R&D Secretariat provides information about the EU research Framework Programme, advises programme applicants and coordinates a national network of contacts. The Framework Programme is the EU's most important tool, and it is used to direct and fund European research and development activity.

  • Finnish EU R&D Secretariat suomi

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

  • References

    Legal texts

    • Council of State Decree on the Ministry of Employment and the Economy 15.11.2007/1024 suomi
    • Act on Employment and Economic Development Centres and Employment and Economic Development Offices 5.12.2008/796 suomi

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Further help

EnterpriseFinland is a free service for businesses and people who are interested in entrepreneurship, coordinated by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. In addition to an online service, it also offers a telephone helpline.

  • EnterpriseFinland suomi

Finland’s Information Society Development Centre (TIEKE) is an independent body which brings together a wide range of stakeholders, all interested in developing Finland's information society.

  • Information Society Development Centre (TIEKE) suomi