Functional Materials programme rocks and creates great results

The Final seminar of the Tekes Functional Materials programme coordinated by Spinverse gathered together close to 300 experts at The Circus, Helsinki, 11.12.13. The event arranged in a former rock club provided a cosy atmosphere for digesting the scientific novelties and technological result highlights provided by short and sharp presentations. A special session and exhibition focusing on “Coatings & manufacturing” showcased highlights regarding the theme. Exciting keynote speakers: Prof. Nasser Peyghambarian (holographic telepresence), Paul Kallmes (Strategic IP Management) and Kivi Sotamaa (Design & 3D manufacturing), a bunch of fresh result highlights from science and industry and a multi-disciplinary audience made it THE EVENT in the field. The “hard day’s night” culminated with an interactive networking session around demos, posters and live blues music – a great forum to build new ideas, multi-disciplinary co-operation and next steps to the future.

Great results achieved

The programme has systematically built new multi-disciplinary expertise in materials technology, created new business and renewed Finnish industry. Out of Tekes innovation funding granted to companies in the programme, 56 per cent has been allocated to SMEs and companies seeking international growth. The 94 projects completed so far have generated more than 100 patents, more than 200 scientific publications and 90 theses. Moreover, 14 new start-ups have developed their own technology in the programme. 28 company projects and 29 research projects are still ongoing and will produce a significant amount of new results. The expected business impact for 2009-2013 for companies included in the programme amount to as much as EUR 2 billion, even though the actual impact of the development work will not be visible until the next few years.

'Tekes innovation funding for companies in the programme totalled approximately MEUR 42. It should be noted that during the programme, a few of our growth companies have received more than EUR 60 million in funding from foreign investors. Tekes investment has thus added to the credibility of these companies also outside of Finland,' states Markku Lämsä, Programme Manager, Tekes.

'A key success factor for Finnish industry is the ability to apply materials expertise. The programme has formed a platform for growth for new areas of competence requiring diverse expertise in fields such as printed intelligence, applications of biomedicine, solar energy and energy storage. Strong international cooperation, identification of value chains for both research and business and goal-oriented commercialisation of research results have led to results,' says coordinator of the Functional Materials programme, Markku Heino from Spinverse Oy.
‘Our approach, not only what we have done together with the group of great partners, but focusing on “how to do things” has clearly left a mark in the Finnish materials R&D society. Tailored events, focused mission trips and versatile communication have been our way to inspire the key players and boost the activities. Bringing new industry and research partners together to make fresh & relevant research co-operation, systematic work to show proof-of-concepts in new application areas, several emerging technologies ready to market, new industrial processes potential for new businesses etc. are examples of our results. Now the “heat is on”, but the train needs to be kept in motion to exploit the momentum built. This calls also for new strategic R&D investments’, he continues.

Five awarded for outstanding achievement:

Functional Materials recognition awards were given to the following persons and companies:

• Young Scientist: Dr. Kaarlo Paakinaho, Tampere University of Technology
• Scientific Breakthrough: Prof. Marjo Yliperttula, University of Helsinki
• Leading Science & international cooperation: Prof. Maarit Karppinen, Aalto University
• Technology Breakthrough: Canatu Ltd.
• Commercialization Breakthrough: Beneq Ltd.

and check out the presentation materials here

Final report of the Functional Materials Programme will be published in February 2014!

Further information

Markku Heino, tel. +358 40 7191221, markku.heino (at) spinverse.com
Markku Lämsä, tel. +358 50 5577793, markku.lamsa (at) tekes.fi