A new innovation hub for deep tech companies, startups, research and business services is emerging on Piispankatu within the University of Turku campus area. The aim is to strengthen Finland’s ability to turn top-level research into international business. More than ten companies have already expressed interest in the premises, including several international listed companies.
Starting in autumn 2026, Axelia at the University of Turku campus will host a joint hub for deep tech companies, Turku Startup Hub, Novia University of Applied Sciences and Business Turku’s business services. By bringing research, companies and growth services together under one roof, the hub addresses one of Finland’s key competitiveness challenges: commercialising research-based innovations and scaling them to international markets.
– Axelia is a strategic initiative for Turku. It brings together what is most needed for growth: research, bold startups and companies looking to scale. We are building an environment where these actors meet in everyday work, and where ideas can quickly grow into international business. This will generate new growth, exports and future jobs in Finland, says Minna Arve, CEO of Business Turku.
– Finland is strong in research and development, but there is room for improvement in commercialisation. The activities built around Axelia respond to this need. Axelia also lays the foundation for an internationally recognised hub that supports collaboration among growth companies in the green transition, health technology and other high-tech sectors, while strengthening the attractiveness and vitality of the Turku region, says Linda Fröberg-Niemi, Business Director at Business Turku.
The Axelia premises, owned by Suomen Yliopistokiinteistöt Ltd, are expected to house around 20 companies of different sizes. More than ten companies have already shown interest, including international listed firms. The building will offer laboratory facilities, office spaces, equipment halls and a shared community space for startups.
Startups: A Turku Startup Hub community space and a limited number of workspaces will open at Axelia (Piispankatu 8, Turku). If you are interested in startup opportunities at Axelia, please contact the Turku Startup Hub coordinator, Elias Savonlahti.
Deep tech companies: If you are interested in the laboratory facilities or equipment hall opportunities at Axelia (Piispankatu 8, Turku), please contact Unna Ahokas, Senior Advisor at Business Turku. We are also building a Smart Tech Hub network around the companies operating at Axelia to support the growth of deep tech companies.
Business Turku strengthens cooperation
Business Turku supports the hub with free business services covering the entire company lifecycle and coordinates collaboration, among others, through the Smart Tech Hub network forming around deep tech companies. Activities focus in particular on the development and commercialisation of solutions in clean transition, hydrogen economy, circular economy, bioeconomy, life sciences and dual-use technologies.
– A network-based operating environment and versatile infrastructure are exactly what researchers and companies need to bring their innovations to international markets, says Fröberg-Niemi.
Business Turku’s main office will remain in Kupittaa on Tykistökatu.
Everyday encounters accelerate research-driven growth
Business Turku’s coordinated Turku Startup Hub locating at Axelia alongside the Smart Tech Hub forming around deep tech companies and higher education institutions supports the growth potential of startups in the Turku region.
– When a startup operates in the same building as Novia University of Applied Sciences and deep tech companies, and within walking distance of other universities, knowledge exchange and collaboration emerge naturally through everyday encounters not just projects, says Jussi Pyysalo, Head of Turku Startup Hub.
At the same time, students naturally become part of companies’ day-to-day operations and research-driven development.
– Axelia strengthens Novia’s entrepreneurship education by integrating students into a living startup and innovation environment. Close collaboration between students, companies and Business Turku enhances students’ networks and transition into working life strengthening the vitality of the entire Turku region, says Hanna Guseff, Head of Department at Novia.
The services of Turku Startup Hub include, among others, funding and internationalisation advisory, accelerator programmes, investor meetings and networking events.
Proven model for accelerating international growth
Smart Chemistry Park, an innovation cluster created by Business Turku in Raisio, has demonstrated how startups can grow from small laboratory spaces into international growth companies. Companies such as Fortum Battery Recycling, CH‑Bioforce and Boreal Bioproducts have emerged from the facilities. Over the past three years, companies in the area have secured a total of €30 million in research, development and innovation funding.
Business Turku aims to generate similar international growth at Axelia.
– There has been a limited availability of specialised process chemistry facilities in the Turku region where companies can grow and scale their operations alongside Smart Chemistry Park. Axelia provides us with a new, strategically important opportunity to attract new growth companies to the region, says Fröberg‑Niemi.
Funder: The launch of the innovation hub’s operations is supported by the EU-funded Green Tech Business & Innovation Hub project. The project develops collaboration between companies in the green transition and life science sectors, supports RDI activities between companies and higher education institutions, and aims to address companies’ space and growth needs.
