Protomo expands agile, growth-promoting innovation partnerships into Oulu and the Helsinki region
Finland needs jobs, new companies, recovery and growth. And what does it have to offer? Top skills, excellent business and product ideas, and people who aim to do and succeed! Protomo is an open, agile national network free of unwieldy bureaucratic structures. It has been hugely successful in providing a free-of-charge framework, community support and expert sparring for innovators and businesses. In the Finnish cities of Jyväskylä, Tampere and Salo this network has already fostered the creation of dozens of innovative solutions with commercial potential. It is now expanding its activities to Oulu and the Helsinki region. The Ministry of Employment and the Economy's (MEE's) Centre of Expertise Programme is a key enabler, providing behind-the-scenes support.
While Finland may only account for one per cent of the world's research and development, it is home to a wealth of first-rate competencies. If these are to be turned into concrete business activities, new kinds of open-minded, fast-moving mechanisms are needed in the field. Daring to roam across conventional boundaries while questioning and reshaping traditional approaches to innovation, the Protomo network is the birthplace of new combinations of expertise. In places undergoing structural change, Protomo communities help experts, innovators and joint ventures to meet. Together, they can then turn drawing-board ideas into profitable businesses providing employment.
Centre of Expertise Programme helps get Protomo started
Finland's current government is implementing an experimental innovation policy via the MEE's Centre of Expertise Programme (OSKE). It is also heavily involved in renewing Finland's economic structure.
"Bold initiatives are needed in all reaches of society: in many respects, Protomo is an answer to the key challenges of the moment: we need new businesses and jobs,” declares Petri Peltonen, Director General at the MEE. OSKE helped Protomo get started, for example by covering its initial costs. According to Petri Räsänen, Director of Technology Centre Hermia Ltd. (which co-ordinates Protomo), champions of the idea, critical to breathing life into Protomo, were found through OSKE's network. Via regional centres of expertise and clusters, OSKE aims to promote networking between businesses and experts. In this way, it seeks to foster the creation of profitable, competitive businesses, harness regional strengths and boost internationalisation.
Thousands of business builders soon to be involved
Protomo currently operates in Tampere, Jyväskylä and Salo, but plans are also afoot to enter the Helsinki, Oulu and Turku regions. At this rate, it will soon cover six regions, at best meaning the activation of as many as a few thousand business-building entrepreneurs. OSKE, SITRA (the Finnish Innovation Fund), the cities involved and Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment are providing the funding.
Through Protomo, members can develop product and service prototypes and spin-off business ideas, free of business risks and in co-operation with potential customers. Developers of business ideas, fledgling experts and seasoned professionals across a range of industries are served by Protomo. No one is marooned with their idea – Protomo will provide support and find the right partners at the right time.
