Universities

Universities are important partners for Helsinki in research, in promoting the availability of manpower, and in developing and commercialising innovation. The city aims to strengthen the position and operating conditions of higher education institutes as internationally competitive centres of innovation and excellence.

Cooperative programmes

Campus Incubators programme

Urban Academy

Examples of university cooperation

Health Incubator Helsinki

An incubator for health technology companies on the Meilahti campus of the University of Helsinki. The city launched the programme in 2020 and will contribute EUR 50-100K p.a.

Helsinki Think Company

An entrepreneurial service operating on different campuses of the University of Helsinki, offering companies workspaces, events, idea accelerator programmes, as well as Hackathon and challenge programmes. The city finances the activities ~ EU 200K p.a.EU

Viikki Food Design Factory

The University of Helsinki’s Viikki campus is a hotbed of innovation. A food innovation hub has been created on campus, and similar platforms are planned for the pharmaceutical sector, for example. The city contributes ~EU 320 p.a.

Helsinki XR Center

The largest virtual reality centre in Europe, located on Metropolia’s creative sectors campus. The XR Center brings together creative teams, start-ups and larger XR players and funders.

Urban Tech Helsinki

The incubator, in partnership with Helsinki and Aalto University and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, creates companies focused on solving urban challenges in a clean and sustainable way. The city will fund the activities to the tune of €550,000

University partners

The partnerships between the University of Helsinki and Aalto University focus on promoting joint international visibility and attractiveness, innovation, research cooperation and entrepreneurship.

The partnership with Metropolia University of Applied Sciences of which the city owns 42%, carries out close cooperation, especially in the development of the Myllypuro and Arabia campuses.

The city cooperates with the Hanken School of Economics, the University of the Arts, the National Defence University and the universities of applied sciences of Haaga-Helia, Diaconia-Arcada, Humak and Laurea in areas such as work placements, teaching, research, development and entrepreneurship.

Do you want to develop innovation that promotes business?

The Innovation Fund is a fund created for investment and other projects that strengthen Helsinki’s business and knowledge base. The fund can be used by the city’s departments, central administration, subsidiaries or external operators such as universities, companies or registered associations. Read more about funding and how to apply on the Innovation Fund page on the old hel.fi in Finnish.

City of Helsinki Innovation Fund