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Business Center is a service network in North Savo with a mission to strengthen competences and international competitiveness of the region, its businesses and other organisations. Business Center helps both established and aspiring entrepreneurs to achieve success by offering tools for developing entrepreneurship and innovations, new services and products.

Business Center | bcpohjois-savo.fi

Follow up relevant EU policies and legislative developments and influence them according to the needs of East and North Finland.

East & North Finland EU office | eastnorth.fi

EBAN – European Business Angel Network – is Europe’s largest association of business angel networks and other early stage investors. Their mission is to drive successful and responsible early stage investing by providing our members network connections, best practices and representation towards governmental stakeholders. EBAN is a network of networks that gathers thousands of professional investors across Europe and the rest of the world.

EBAN | eban.org

FiBAN (Finnish Business Angels Network) is a non-profit network of business angels and one of the largest organisations in its field in Europe. It connects growth-oriented early-stage startups with private investors and promotes private investment in growth companies.

FiBAN’s core activities include enabling connections between startups and investors, developing expertise in angel investing through training and events, and advocating for the interests of the investor community while producing industry insights.

Through the network, startups can seek funding, pitch to investors, and receive support for growth. At the same time, investors gain access to high-quality deal flow, networks, and co-investment opportunities.

FiBAN | fiban.org

Fisu (Finnish Sustainable Communities) is a network of Finnish municipalities committed to working towards becoming carbon neutral and waste-free and curbing overconsumption by 2050.

Municipalities, companies, and other local stakeholders work together to build a shared vision and roadmap to achieve these goals. They identify new opportunities for collaboration and ways of working. The aim is to strengthen municipal and regional economies, create jobs, and promote sustainable well-being.

Finnish Sustainable Communities | fisunetwork.fi

The Geological Survey of Finland GTK produces impartial research and services in support of decision-making in industry, academia, and wider society to accelerate the transition to sustainable and carbon-neutral world. GTK employs more than 400 experts specializing in mineral economy, circular economy, solutions related to energy, water and the environment, as well as digital solutions. GTK is a research institution governed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, operating in Finland and globally.

Geologian tutkimuskeskus GTK | gtk.fi

ICLEI is the only global network dedicated to sustainable cities. Global challenges require local solutions and global governance. Protecting the climate, biodiversity, air quality, and freshwater resources requires international commitment and cooperation across all levels of government. ICLEI is an association of over 2,500 local governments, representing the interests of local authorities at the United Nations and in international policy forums.

ICLEI is also a movement driving positive global change through programmes and campaigns focused on local sustainability, as well as a resource centre providing knowledge, tools, networking, training, and consulting services.

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability | iclei.org

Tahko Holiday Resort and the city of Kuopio founded a joint marketing organization, Kuopio–Tahko Marketing Ltd, in December 2013. The company vision is to develop and strengthen the existing marketing concept by joint promotion of the unique lakeside city and the multi-functional resort. The organization includes a large number of local businesses as its shareholders and members.

Kuopio-Tahko Marketing manages the marketing and advertising for two brands: Hello Kuopio and Tahko. Hello Kuopio showcases the best of Kuopio, Tahko, and the entire Savo region. The Tahko brand focuses on highlighting the unique appeal of the Tahko area.

Kuopio-Tahko merketing ltd | kuopiotahko.fi

Kuopion seudun uusyrityskeskus helps with business planning and company establishment, and advises new businesses on growth and development. Its services are personal, free of charge, and strictly confidential. After an initial assessment, those considering starting a business are guided to the most suitable experts. The centre also provides, among other things, start-up grant statements for employment services.

Kuopion seudun uusyrityskeskus | kuopionseudunuusyrityskeskus.fi

Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is a research organisation that builds sustainable future and well-being from renewable natural resources.

Researchers and specialists working in Luke provide new solutions towards the sustainable development of the Finnish bioeconomy and the promotion of new biobased businesses. Luke also monitors natural resources, certifies plant production, inspects control agents, stores genetic resources, produces data on greenhouse gases, supports natural resource policies and produces Finland’s official food and natural resource statistics.

Luke is located in Maaninka, 45 km from Kuopio, and it’s research focuses on dairy and grass production.

Emergency Services Academy Finland strengthens the safety and security of society by providing vocational education, further training, and continuing professional education for rescue service and emergency response centre professionals. The Academy also provides preparedness training.

The Emergency Services Academy is responsible for the training system of contract fire brigade personnel as well as for the training, recruitment, and deployment of personnel to international civil protection operations. The Academy coordinates research, development, and innovation activities (RDI) in rescue services and maintains the rescue services’ central library. We are responsible for the recognition of professional qualifications in rescue services.

Emergency Services Academy | pelastusopisto.fi

Kuopio University Hospital (KYS) is one of the five university hospitals in Finland. It provides high-quality care across all medical specialties, conducts internationally respected research, and educates future top professionals. KYS is the largest educator of physicians in Finland and one of the country’s largest teaching hospitals. It employs more than 4,000 experts and is responsible for providing specialised healthcare services to over 800,000 patients in Eastern and Central Finland.

KYS’s key research strengths include neuroscience and major chronic diseases, such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebrovascular diseases, obesity, and cancer.

The wellbeing services county of North Savo | pshyvinvointialue.fi

Research | pshyvinvointialue.fi

The aims of the Finnish Society of Telemedicine and eHealth are to promote the health of the population through telecommunication and to disperse the expert knowledge within health care. To reach the aims the Society will arrange seminars, lectures and presentations, courses and symposia, develop a functioning electronic communication system between the members, exert publishing activities, supports research within the discipline, formulate statements in issues dealing with telemedicine and have contact with other telemedicine organisations.

Finnish Society of Telemedicine and e Health (STeHS) | telemedicine.fi

Suomen yrityskummit is a nationwide network of experienced entrepreneurs, business executives, and business professionals. They offer their expertise and experience free of charge to help solve business challenges faced by entrepreneur-led micro and small enterprises operating in Finland.

Suomen Yrityskummit | yrityskummit.fi

VTT Technical research centre of Finland is a visionary research, development and innovation partner. They drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time and turn them into growth opportunities.

VTT goes beyond the obvious to help the society and companies to grow through technological innovations. Kuopio offices of VTT are focused on Health Data Sciences.

VTT Technical research centre of Finland | vttresearch.com

THL The National Institute for Health and Welfare studies, monitors, and develops measures to promote the well-being and health of the population in Finland. They gather and produce information based on research and register data. THL also provides expertise and solutions to support decision-making. They serve various parties: the government, municipal and provincial decision-makers, actors in the social welfare and health sector, organisations, the research community, and the public. THL helps their customers and partners to secure quality of life for Finns in a fair but dynamic welfare society.

THL – Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare | thl.fi

Consists of cities around the WHO European Region that are committed to health and sustainable development, nearly 100 cities and towns from 30 countries.

WHO Healthy Cities Network | who.int

The University of Eastern Finland’s business and innovation services promote the commercialisation of research results and expertise generated at the university. The services support the evaluation of the commercial potential of research and facilitate the transfer of expertise as a foundation for new business and entrepreneurship, while connecting research, companies, development organisations and early-stage investors.

The activities are linked to the university’s four global research challenges: ageing and health, digitised learning, cultural encounters, and environmental change and natural resources.

University-business collaboration and partnerships | uef.fi

Educational services for companies and organisations | uef.fi

Research | uef.fi

Savonia’s research and development activities provide expert services and tailored solutions to meet the development needs of companies and work communities. The services offered to businesses include, among others, product and material testing, EMC laboratory testing, and applied health technology testing. At Savonia, business activities are carried out by the university of applied sciences’ staff and students in collaboration with external experts. The export of expertise is also part of the business, including the sale of education to international companies or organisations.

University of Applied Sciences | savonia.fi

Sakky Business Services provides a wide range of services to companies and organisations, whether the need is to improve workforce availability or to develop staff skills. Savon Vocational College, together with Savon Koulutus Oy, offers diverse training and development services, including initial, vocational and specialist vocational qualifications, as well as shorter, tailored training programmes.

Yrityksille | sakky.fi