NEWS
RUN-EU Innovation Day at HAMK – Lightning FLASH to Innovation
12 November 2024
On 7 November 2024, the Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) in Hämeenlinna, Finland, hosted the FLASH event as part of the RUN-EU Innovation Day ‘Regional Business Networks, Ecosystems Supporting RDI Activities, Innovations, Research’.
The event brought together students, academics and industry professionals to explore how businesses and students can benefit from collaboration and funding opportunities.
Participants engaged in dynamic discussions on topics such as internationalisation, research and development and innovation-driven growth, demonstrating the potential of collaborative partnerships to support both regional and international progress.
The event was opened by HAMK’s Rector Pertti Puusaari, who emphasised the importance of new thinking and collaboration. Companies need more of their products and an increase in exports, and HAMK supports this goal by building cooperation following its strategy. HAMK students are already doing projects with 200 companies, and this number will increase in future.
HAMK Edu Director Martti Majuri presented some key figures of HAMK and the opportunities that HAMK offers for business development. In a nutshell, companies can participate as partners in research projects, make use of research services and cooperate with students.
Events to Boost Your Business Development
Several funding opportunities were presented at the event, such as Rahalabra, Häme Ecosystem Expo, Linna Business Tournament and FRUSH. Funding is available for companies of different sizes and at different stages of their life cycle through various funding instruments.
Also, students were encouraged to participate in development programmes and business tournaments, where they have opportunity to develop their business and possibility to win significant prizes. It is still possible to sign up as audience to Linna Business Tournament and the FRUSH Startup Competition will be organised again in 23–24 April 2025. Students can participate to the FRUSH Startup Competition by submitting a maximum 3-minute video pitching of their innovation and filling a participation form at the latest 31 March 2025.
Tourism Rahalabra will be organised on 19 November 2024 at the FYK Business Park in Forssa, where tourism industry companies can learn about private funding, public funding and other funding and develop their funding plan. Häme Ecosystem Expo will be organised on 18 December 2024 at Parkki Business Park and will cover funding opportunities, ecosystems supporting companies and how to create better business together.
RUN-EU had a dedicated stand where attendees could learn more about the alliance’s mission, activities, and benefits. RUN-EU representatives were available to share information about the alliance’s role in fostering international cooperation and to discuss its projects in research, development, and innovation. Visitors had the opportunity to sign up for the RUN-EU newsletter and stay informed about future initiatives, projects, and networking opportunities across Europe.
The event underscored the importance of regional cooperation as well as RUN-EU’s international reach. The alliance aims to boost innovation and collaboration across member institutions, creating opportunities for students and companies alike to engage in cross-border projects, gain diverse perspectives, and leverage shared resources for mutual growth.
How Have Companies Addressed Their RDI Needs?
Companies were also given tips on internationalization, protecting intellectual property rights, and product development. The event also showcased companies’ experiences of RDI cooperation. For example, Anne Silmälä from OlutMylly talked about cucumber beer, for which the idea was born in HAMK’s DIVA project.
Olli Koskela from HAMK presented a smart drinking machine for cows, in the development of which HAMK students were involved in the initial stages. Jarmo Kastell from Delva Ltd talked about investments in machinery and equipment and their role in research, development and innovation.
He emphasised that speed of innovation is essential, those that can enter market first, can prosper, while those entering late will have a difficult time.
Jasmin Heikkilä from Code Ananas Ltd demonstrated an app that can make everyday food circus and waste management easy. As the average annual food waste for a family of four is around €1,600, using an AI assistant has significant potential to reduce waste and make more optimal shopping choices.
The panel discussion at the end of the event dealt with regional business networks and ecosystems that support RDI activities. Tuomo Kauha from Häme ELY Center, and Anastasia Kanervisto from Linna Business Development led the discussion that included Jari Jussila from HAMK Design Factory, Outi Mertamo from Linna Business Development, Anna Tasaranta from Forssa Enterprise Development and Teemu Seppälä from City of Riihimäki, Define-network. The discussion emphasised the importance of flexibility and cooperation in RDI activities.
“In a smaller region it is possible to know all the key actors and hence the cooperation can be easier and more efficient”, Teemu Seppälä concluded.
The event was a success, and it offered the participants a lot of valuable information and contacts. Encouraged by the success, the event hostess, Miia Raussi from Linna Business Development and the organisers of the event thanked all the participants and welcomed them to join the event again next year.
The event was organised by the Team Finland Häme network, which includes HAMK, Häme Center for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Linna Business Development Ltd, Forssa Enterprise Development, Regional Council of Häme, Hämeen yrittäjät, Janakkala Business Development and Häme Chamber of Commerce.
