Building the future together
The City of Helsinki and the University of Helsinki have been working together since 1987 to develop the city's dynamism, appeal, sustainability, innovation and the wellbeing of its residents.
Concrete projects have resulted in cooperation evolving into an effective and forward-looking partnership.
More innovation and dynamism
Together, we create opportunities for knowledge- and research-based innovation and support the competitiveness of entrepreneurs and businesses. The innovation ecosystem supports research-driven entrepreneurship, new businesses and competitiveness.
A community of students, researchers and entrepreneurs for networking and learning supports the development of university ideas into a business by providing facilities, networks and services.
Top-quality incubator programmes provide valuable support and mentoring for the first steps in entrepreneurship and the commercialisation of innovative business ideas. You can apply for the programmes through open calls for applications.
Campuses are developed to create specialised innovation and business clusters: the Viikki Innovation Platform focuses on life sciences and sustainable solutions. Innovation ecosystems are developed at the Kumpula, the Meilahti and City Centre campuses.
Health Capital Helsinki is developing the life science and health technology ecosystem, supporting startups and promoting research, development and innovation projects in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
Helsinki Education Hub promotes collaboration between schools, researchers and businesses, and develops an incubator where research knowledge supports the creation of educational innovations and the innovation skills of teachers.
Finnish AI Region (FAIR) is creating a digital innovation hub in the Helsinki region to support the digitalisation of SMEs and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in AI, cybersecurity and augmented reality.
A better functioning city in which to work and study
We are helping talents and making Helsinki an internationally more attractive place to study and live, a city where talented people and working life meet.
The UniTalent programme is a forum where the city introduces itself to international students and researchers as an employer. In addition, the university and the city support the student-based Helsinki 100 initiative to find internships.
In the SchoolWell project, we promote learning and comprehensive well-being through research-based approaches.
The LUMA centre inspires people of all ages to engage in research-based knowledge by bringing maths and science know-how and scientific literacy across the school spectrum from early childhood education to higher education.
Information on various possibilities within in higher education and experiences of studying at university. Cooperation between upper secondary schools and higher education helps people to find their own further study path.
More sustainable urban development
We support sustainable urban planning and ensure that Helsinki serves as an international example of sustainable solutions. Protecting the Baltic Sea, which is important to everyone, is at the heart of our efforts, as is making everyday life easier for residents and making the city more attractive.
Research information and research-based evaluation for the development of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, with the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, the University of Helsinki and Aalto University as partners and funders.
Postdoctoral researchers have undertaken research activities based on the common interests of cities and researchers to support the development of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
Key focus areas of the endowed professorship established by the City of Helsinki and University of Helsinki are the cost-effectiveness of water protection, the blue economy, ecosystem services and welfare impact.
Promoting well-being in the city
We increase the wellbeing, inclusion and security of citizens through research and knowledge-based approaches. Our joint wellbeing projects aim to help improve the quality of life, promote safety and support equality.
Helsinki Practice Research Centre’s mission is to promote wellbeing, participation and equality and to do this in practice by producing relevant social work research.
Research at the MaxHel Center uses unique demographic data and information on major policy reforms and economic cycles to create an understanding of the causes of and changes in health inequalities.
The City of Helsinki Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division works closely with the University of Helsinki's Master's programme in development of health care services.