Insights

Nokian Tyres announced in its release published yesterday 26^th Feb 2025 that it is to lead the FUTUREPROOF research, development and innovation programme to confront the key challenges of future mobility through solutions related to for example the digitalisation of tires and traffic, sustainable product lifecycle and advanced manufacturing technologies. The tire maker said that the mission of the five-year programme is to futureproof resilient European on- and off-road mobility by crosslinking industries to join the common cause. Spinverse supported Nokian Tyres in building the FUTUREPROOF plan and securing funding for this ambitious R&D&I  programme.

Aimed at fostering sustainability in the plastics industry, the four-year SPIRIT programme has already entered its third year of operation. Kicked off in 2022, the SPIRIT programme has successfully launched 14 partnership projects and created a vibrant ecosystem of over 50 members including universities, research institutes, and diverse industry companies. Programme Manager Jaakko Tuomainen from Borealis shares the rewarding experiences gained from this initiative which is part of the Veturi programme for leading companies funded by Business Finland.

Ponsse, a leading manufacturer of forest machinery, and its technology company Epec, have together launched the FORWARD´27 project which aims to significantly reduce the emissions and environmental impact of mobile work machinery used in forestry and other heavy industries. The 10M€ funding granted by Business Finland challenge for leading companies will help the FORWARD’27 ecosystem develop solutions for intelligent, zero-emission vehicles for off-road and commercial use. Spinverse supported Ponsse and Epec in the project preparation phase and is now contributing to the management and coordination of the FORWARD’27 project, which had its launch event in September 2023.

Not all businesses applying to public funding with Business Finland are aware that they can receive funding from Business Finland for the preparation phase of public funding proposals. This applies to international cooperation projects within Horizon Europe and European Defence Fund (EDF). 

Since 2020, Business Finland has run challenge competitions for leading companies that operate globally and have the ability to increase their R&D&I investments in Finland to tackle significant future challenges. The next challenge competition was just announced – do you have what it takes to join? 

Spinverse has been coordinating the extensive CleverHealth Network (CHN) ecosystem led by Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) for a good five years now. Business Finland recently granted an extension to funding of this health care growth engine. This enables CHN to continue the work in harnessing health data, AI and Machine Learning with an aim to co-develop efficient care paths and improve patients’ daily lives. The first solutions developed in CHN projects are already progressing towards commercialisation and new joint projects are being built as we speak.

Nokia is set to gain a new competitive advantage from edge computing and edge intelligence, both considered essential elements in 5G networks. They can be considered the two key elements to enable sustainable digital infrastructure and networks in the future. Spinverse supported Nokia in the preparation of their funding proposal, which secured Nokia 20 M€ in Business Finland funding for leading companies.

Business Finland will allocate 20 M€ in the Zero Emission Marine (ZEM) ecosystem project of Wärtsilä. As an ecosystem leader, Wärtsilä will launch an extensive RDI project together with close to 200 actors, who share a goal of creating a zero-emission ecosystem for the marine industry. Spinverse team will support in commencing the four-year project developing cutting-edge sustainable technologies to reach its ambitious goals. Spinverse experts will help the project in setting the groundwork and creating an efficient operating model for the ecosystem.

Business Finland has just granted a total of EUR 60 million for three new Veturi projects to be led by the leading companies Nokia, Wärtsilä and TietoEVRY. In return for the funding, the leading companies make a commitment to increase their research, development and innovation (RDI) activities in Finland by a total of more than 350 M€. At the same time, hundreds of new RDI jobs will be created in the coming years.

Business Finland has recently opened several funding calls to boost the renewal and competitiveness of Finnish industries operating in the areas of sustainability. The funding, worth a total of 150 - 170 M€ in the course of 2021-2023 for sustainable innovation projects meant to accelerate sustainable growth, is a part of the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This autumn, there are three interesting calls focused to support the EU targets of sustainable growth.