Turku Science Park ecosystem is a platform for creative and productive ideas
The Science Park conducts high-level, internationally significant, and influential research, development, and innovation work. The Science Park’s collaborative ecosystem brings together universities, businesses, and the public sector, creating a dynamic and growing network that supports the emergence of new ideas and the development of business both in Finland and internationally.
Growth through solid cooperation
The success of Turku Science Park is based on partnership thinking, shared goals, and the utilization of diverse expertise. The Triple Helix innovation and cooperation model combines the resources and expertise of three key players: universities, businesses, and the public sector. A strong cooperation network enables faster and more efficient innovation and helps companies in the region to obtain support for the development of new technologies and solutions.
The Science Park’s cooperation ecosystem includes more than 400 companies operating in the Science Park area, higher education institutions, The wellbeing services county of Southwest Finland, the Turku Student Village Foundation, the regional business development company Business Turku Ltd, Turku Technology Properties Ltd, University Properties of Finland Ltd, and numerous other regional actors.
International-level RDI activities
The Finnish government has set a target of increasing the country’s research and development expenditure to 4% of gross domestic product by 2030. The national RDI roadmap creates conditions for closer cooperation between businesses and research. According to the national urban strategy, cities serve as platforms for the development of expertise, innovation, and business.
Innovation in the Turku region has developed significantly, particularly with the strengthening of infrastructure, the education system, and RDI activities. One of the most significant development projects is the establishment of the Faculty of Technology at the University of Turku in 2021: the faculty supports the growth of the region’s innovation ecosystem by providing skilled labor and promoting cooperation with the business community.
Campuses bring together universities and businesses
Turku has three university networks known as campuses, which support research and development in different fields. Tech Campus Turku focuses on research in technology and engineering. Health Campus Turku specializes in health and biotechnology research. Culture Campus Turku promotes research and development in creative fields such as culture and digital arts. The campuses work closely with research institutes and companies in the region.
Health Campus Turku
Health Campus Turku is a significant multidisciplinary knowledge cluster within medicine, social and health care and technology which offers unique opportunities for research, innovation and corporate collaboration.
Health Campus TurkuTech Campus Turku
The Tech Campus Turku advances technical education and research at Turku’s four universities and unites their resources to support the R&D and and innovation activities of local businesses.
Tech Campus TurkuCulture Campus Turku
Culture Campus Turku is a strongly influential cultural network that strategically promotes education, research, business, and cooperation in the field in Turku and strengthens the sector’s position and visibility in society and decision-making.
Culture Campus Turku
A hub of high expertise
The Science Park area is home to four first-class universities, which are attended by the majority of Turku’s approximately 50,000 higher education students. The research and development expertise, equipment, and facilities of these institutions support innovation in the area and offer opportunities for developing research-based business.
The RDI activities of the universities in the Science Park area focus particularly on health technology, biotechnology, the maritime industry, the green transition, digital solutions, and culture.
Cooperation between universities and businesses and other actors plays a key role in the development of new innovations that promote economic growth and improve social well-being.
The City of Turku invests in skills development
Skills development is one of the city’s most important strategic priorities. The City of Turku aims to strengthen its ability to respond to the needs of the labor market and business life, as well as to support skills that promote innovations and the vitality of the city.
The key objectives are divided into three areas:
Development of innovation and competence clusters
Three competence clusters will be created in Turku – in the fields of science and technology, well-being and sports, and culture and the arts – which will support the city’s international vitality and competitiveness. Cooperation with universities and the business community will create top-level expertise.
Strengthening Turku’s vitality and responding to the needs of working life
Turku is developing company- and workplace-specific models, supporting teacher networking and promoting the employment of higher education students. The Talent Turku initiative facilitates work-based immigration and supports the utilisation of international expertise.
Developing continuous learning
Turku promotes the recognition and development of skills, paying particular attention to digital skills, literacy and equality. Cooperation with other major cities helps to reduce inequalities in education and skills.
