Find the right partners.
Do you need contacts to develop, boost, or expand your business? We are happy to connect you with the right people and networks.
Strengthen your network and gain new partners.
Business Turku brings power into networking. We create growth opportunities for companies by organizing networking events and personalised matchmaking meetings, while maintaining regional industry networks.
You can easily reach local universities and your next international partners through us.
Networks everywhere: here and abroad
We maintain and coordinate several networks in the Turku region. Additionally, we directly connect to many regional, national, and international networks.
Business Turku offers many of its always cost-free services through its networks.
- The EDIH Network (Robocoast) is a non-profit European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) whose mission is to provide companies with services to implement the digital transition. Through its services, you will have access to the excellence and RDI environments of 15 Finnish higher education institutions.
- HealthHub Finland EDIH Network offers services to companies that provide digital health and wellness services. Through the network’s services, companies can test their innovations, receive training, get support for investments, and develop their networks.
- Contact person: Henrik Honkanen
- Forum for Health Tech Companies is an open meeting place for discussion, with activities built around the needs of the business sector. The forum is held 2–3 times a year.
- Contact person: Lauri Seppälä
- Women’s Health Hub Initiative invites developers of health solutions focused on women’s health to join the growing Hub activities. Learn more about the initiative on YouTube.
- Contact person: Jyrki Lehtimäki
- ScanBalt is an innovation network that brings together academic and industrial research, university hospitals and non-university research institutions, study centres and highly specialised suppliers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology sectors from different European countries and regions.
- Contact person: Tero Piispanen
- CEBR – Council of European Bioregions is a membership-driven network of life science clusters and regional ecosystems across Europe.
- Contact person: Janne Lahtiranta
- ECHAlliance is a global network bringing together actors in digital health
- Contact person: Janne Lahtiranta
- Health Campus Turku is a significant interdisciplinary center of expertise in medicine, social and healthcare, and technology, offering unique opportunities for research, innovation, and business collaboration.
- Contact person: Janne Lahtiranta
- Finnish Bioindustries FIB is Finland’s biotechnology industry association.
- Contact person: Tero Piispanen
- Nordic Proof is an alliance for Nordic healthcare test facilities.
- Contact person: Henrik Honkanen
- The Finnish Society of Telemedicine and eHealth acts as an influencer and trendsetter in the field of telemedicine and eHealth in Finland and internationally. The society works closely with national and international organizations in the field, as well as with healthcare service providers and users. Its activities promote education and development in the field.
- Contact person: Janne Lahtiranta
- Nordic Mentor Network for Entrepreneurship (NOME) provides mentoring for promising startups and projects in the Life Science sector.
- Contact person: Jyrki Lehtimäki
- Hydrogen Collaboration Network in the Turku region aims to accelerate hydrogen-related business in the Turku region and is intended for companies and stakeholders interested in hydrogen business. The group meets every two months.
- Contact person: Toivo Koskinen
- Energy Sector Network of the Turku region invites all companies and actors involved in the energy transition aligned with the green shift and those who are eager to develop new sustainable business and RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) activities related to the energy transition.
- Contact person: Toivo Koskinen
- Bioeconomy and Circular Economy Network promotes business development based on bio and circular economy principles. The network is also suitable for companies seeking RDI partners for the development of bio and circular economy.
- Contact person: Reeta Huhtinen
- Circular Economy Operators in the Turku region
- Contact person: Ida Forssell-Martikainen
- Smart Chemistry Park in Raisio and its network provide growth-supporting premises, lab facilities and activities for companies working in various industries.
- Contact person: Reeta Huhtinen
- Enterprise Europe Network offers internationalization services for SMEs. The network provides an extensive selection of services ranging from EU-specific advisory services to support for international technology transfer. The network operates in more than fifty countries, also including some outside the EU, such as Norway, Russia and the United States.
- Tech Campus Turku advances technical education and research in Turku’s four universities: the University of Turku, Åko Akademi University, Turku University of Applied Sciences and Novia University of Applied Sciences. It unites the resources of these universities to support the R&D and innovation activities of local businesses through an RDI Voucher.
Reaching the right partners can happen in many ways.
There are many ways to gain new contacts and partners. We help companies reach new partners and important networks in various situations by acting as local, national, and international connectors.
All our services and programs are free of charge.
How it could go:
Find other companies in your field within your region and advance your business with the help of partners.
A local company’s business expansion requires partners and a developing business environment.
The company recognizes the need for collaboration and networking but does not yet know how to reach potential partners that operate in the area.
The company representative familiarizes themselves with the networks operating in the area, which we at Business Turku maintain or coordinate. They leave a contact request.
Soon, they receive more information about the network’s operations, companies, and possible gatherings.
Business Turku leads and coordinates the network’s activities and informs about the most important development steps in the business environment, to provide the most fertile ground for business growth.
How it could go:
Use an RDI voucher* to develop and innovate your business or product with a higher educational institution.
A company recognises the need to develop its service, product, or business with a partner.
The company representative hears that development and innovation can be done in collaboration with higher education institutions in the Turku region. The collaboration can be funded with an RDI service voucher (up to €10,000).
They contact Business Turku’s RDI advisor for more information.
As discussions progress, the advisor suggests a suitable partner for the company and arranges a meeting. Development work with the educational institution can begin once the funding is granted.
The company can freely utilise the completed work or idea.
*Research, development, and innovation service voucher
How it could go:
Explore an interesting market area abroad with the information provided by the WTC and EEN networks.
A local company is interested in exploring international markets.
The company’s representative browses the Business Turku event calendar and signs up for a WTC & EEN* afternoon event, providing insights into different market areas.
The registration confirmation arrives in the email within a few minutes.
The event helps you meet other companies in the area, exchange ideas, and network alongside the program.
The speakers at the event are carefully selected, and the event provides a comprehensive overview of the market, business environment, and starting a business.
Additionally, you get the contact information of experts for later consultations or meetings.
*World Trade Center, Enterprise Europe Network
How it could go:
Boost your company’s internationalisation by finding information and partners through the Enterprise Europe Network.
A local company wants to internationalise its operations. The company’s representative comes across the EEN network in Business Turku’s internationalisation services.
The Enterprise Europe Network operates in over 50 countries. It can assist with specific needs, including financing and finding business partners.
The company’s representative leaves a contact request with Business Turku’s EEN experts.
The company’s situation and needs are discussed in more detail to determine the readiness and resources for internationalisation. At the same time, it is determined whether the company is looking for resellers or subcontractors.
After understanding the particular needs and goals of the company, further actions are agreed upon, such as necessary studies, business model development, or partner searches. The company begins to advance the agreed tasks with Business Turku representatives.
How it could go:
Establish a new business branch and attract a workforce in the Turku region.
A company wants to network and establish a new office in the Turku region.
They need support to familiarise themselves with the area and attract a skilled workforce. The company representative reads about settling in the Turku region and the cost-free services of Business Turku, and leaves a contact request.
Business Turku advisors help the company map available premises and co-working spaces. At the same time, they assist the company with permits and finding key personnel and the core team.
With the help of Business Turku representatives, the company easily reaches young talents from technical universities and international experts.
Together with Business Turku, the company ensures the necessary everyday operations and new ventures can proceed as planned.
You can always send us a message.
When you want to strengthen your networks and build partnerships, it’s time to turn to Business Turku. We help your company become a part of something bigger.
