Business Turku honored three companies from the Turku region with the annual Entrepreneurial Spirit of Turku Award on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Europe Forum. The award was presented for the 22nd time.
The 2025 Entrepreneurial Spirit of Turku recognition went to three international success stories from the Turku region: Biovian, Safegrid, and Dream Devices. The awards were presented in the categories Growth in Sight, Brave Move, and Born Global.
– This year’s award-winning companies are excellent examples of the product and device development expertise found in our region—expertise that is in demand on international markets. This competence is created both in our universities and in companies that invest in development, says Minna Arve, CEO of Business Turku.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Turku Awards annually highlight companies that strengthen the vitality of the region and demonstrate how research and development drive business forward.
– The award-winning trio not only succeed themselves but also strengthen the vitality of the entire Turku region, Arve adds.
Growth in Sight – Biovian
Biovian, a Turku-based contract developer and manufacturer of biological medicines, was awarded in the Growth in Sight category for its long-term growth. Over the past 22 years, the company has grown into a significant European player and is currently investing more than €50 million in a new plant in Itäharju, Turku.
– We are grateful for this recognition. Biovian has been working determinedly in Turku and creating growth in biological medicines for over two decades. Now, as 3PBIOVIAN, we aim for even greater leaps in growth, says Antti Nieminen, Deputy CEO of 3PBIOVIAN.
Biovian merged with Spanish company 3P Biopharmaceuticals in 2024, creating 3PBIOVIAN—one of Europe’s most significant mid-sized contract manufacturers of biologics. The merger opens new global growth opportunities, and the company already counts major international pharmaceutical companies among its clients.
The new plant under construction in Turku will significantly expand Biovian’s production capacity and enable further growth for the group. The global market for biologics is expected to grow at an annual rate of more than 10%.
– In Turku, we are the spearhead of next-generation biologics within the group. In addition to protein-based medicines, Biovian has strong expertise in developing and manufacturing processes for oncolytic virus and gene therapy medicines. These new types of medicines are used, for example, in treating cancers and genetic diseases.
Born Global – Safegrid
The Born Global award went to Safegrid, a Turku-based technology company developing intelligent monitoring and fault detection solutions for electricity grids. Founded just six years ago, the company has operated internationally from the start and is now a key player in the electrification of the global energy system.
– It’s wonderful to receive local recognition. I have been a founding partner of Safegrid from the very beginning and am now also responsible for developing business in the U.S. market. International markets, especially the U.S., were our starting point already at the company’s foundation, given the vast number of utility companies worldwide. We are likely to reach the milestone of 100 customers this year, says Jussi Hakunti, Development Director at Safegrid.
In addition to Europe, Safegrid operates in African countries, India, and the United States, where it serves some of the world’s largest utility companies.
Safegrid’s solution enables fault detection in electricity grids with greater precision than traditional methods. The system can also predict faults and thus help prevent them.
– Safegrid’s product development and production are based in the Turku region, where we also have an excellent subcontracting network. The City of Turku has been an important development partner for us.
Brave Move – Dream Devices
Dream Devices Technologies and Dream Devices Mechanics are Turku-based companies that provide comprehensive product development and device solutions. For over a decade, they have worked closely together, and now the companies have united their marketing under the joint Dream Devices brand. This bold decision to join forces earned them recognition in the Brave Move category.
– Our entire operating model is unique and bold. Two companies with no shared ownership structure work closely together on the same projects every day. In practice, we go up and down the stairs between our offices on Mustionkatu in Turku, says Turkka Laakkio, CEO of Dream Devices Technologies.
Together, the companies employ about 40 experts and provide services in design, mechanical engineering, electronics design, and software development. Combined with testing services, component manufacturing, and assembly production, they offer customers a complete product development service chain.
The joint brand supports internationalization and signals to customers that these partners can provide everything needed to create a product.
Turku-region and Finnish companies are an important customer base for Dream Devices. The companies also serve clients in Norway, Denmark, Germany, and the United States.
– Turku is an excellent location for us because the city has strong pharmaceutical companies that require device development, Laakkio says.