Turku Science Park is a unique innovation hub expanding with the needs of businesses, housing and education in mind. Companies appreciate the proximity to key partners, an excellent logistical location, and flexible facility services.
Turku Science Park is one of Finland’s fastest-growing high-tech employment hubs, bringing together top-tier research, leading experts, high accessibility, and business ecosystems.
This is how Vesa Palander, Director of Business and Economic Development Services at the City of Turku, highlights the Science Park’s key strengths for companies seeking an interesting business environment.
– The area is large, it is growing fast, and it already is one of Finland’s most significant hubs for high-value jobs and research.
Strong business ecosystems, higher education institutions operating in the area, and the university hospital create opportunities for fruitful partnerships. Palander highlights the key sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry, the maritime industry, the blue economy, and women’s health technology.
– All kinds of companies are welcome here. The benefits of the Science Park are perhaps maximal for research-driven companies that require high-level expertise and facilities.
The area offers communities and services for companies at different stages of growth. Turku Startup Hub serves startups, while Turku Growth Hub supports scale-ups. The City of Turku’s 23-million-euro growth fund attracts international venture capital investors. – So we’re going all-in on building a very comprehensive ecosystem here, Palander says.
From Startup to Scale-Up in Turku Science Park
Biopharmaceutical manufacturer 3PBiovian has been operating in Turku Science Park since 2003. Director of Engineering Marko Vuorinen notes that the area has provided a great environment for the company to grow from a small startup into a growth company employing around 150 people.
Key partner for 3PBiovian is Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt, a real estate investment company operating in the Science Park. According to Vuorinen, the facilities have always been tailored to meet 3PBiovian’s needs.
– Over the years, we have taken on new space, given up some space, and made modifications to existing premises. The cooperation has been flexible and customer-oriented, he says.
3PBiovian operates across three locations in Turku Science Park. Cleanrooms are situated in BioCity and laboratory operations in PharmaCity, Kupittaa. At the end of 2024, GeneCity, a customized biopharmaceutical plant for 3PBiovian, was completed in Itäharju and will be brought into use in phases.
According to Vuorinen, GeneCity opens up significant growth opportunities for the company. In addition to products for clinical trials, the company can produce commercial biopharmaceuticals there. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art facilities allow them to serve customers even better.
– The building can also be expanded in the future, which is a very valuable option for the company, Vuorinen says.
From Vision to Zoning and Construction
Turku Science Park is expanding continuously. Currently under construction, the Kupittaa Core will extend the Science Park from Kupittaa all the way to Itäharju. It is the largest urban development project in the Turku region in the coming years.
According to Ari Mäkinen, CEO of Turun Teknologia- ja Tiedepuisto Oy, the strength and uniqueness of the Science Park lies precisely in building something new from scratch.
– There are no initial constraints, which allows us to adapt continuously to today’s world and tailor solutions to companies’ needs, he says.
According to the Turku Science Park Vision, the area is expected to attract four billion euros in investments by the end of the 2060s. According to Mäkinen, the vision is credible because related zoning is already in effect and construction is underway.
– The first phase of the Kupittaa Core project alone is worth 200 million euros.
Turku Science Park will become much more than just a place to work. The vision for the area includes housing, services, businesses, and leisure opportunities – life around the clock. Although the plans are detailed, they are not set in stone.
– We don’t think of this as a rigid frame that companies must fit into. This is an opportunity that we can shape together to create a solution that satisfies all parties, Mäkinen says.
(artist’s impression)
Relocating to Kupittaa Core
Elomatic, an engineering and consulting company based in Turku, plans to relocate from the banks of the Aura River to Turku Science Park by 2030. The company will build its own premises right in the heart of Kupittaa Core. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028.
According to Chair of the Board Patrik Rautaheimo, Elomatic wants to be in Science Park because many companies in the same sector operate there and universities are nearby. He also praises the proximity of the railway station and well-functioning public transport.
– Many of our employees and clients will get to our office faster. We have offices across Finland, and this encourages people to use public transport, which is more sustainable, he says.
The primary reason for new premises is a lack of space. The new facilities will accommodate the staff from both Elomatic and its subsidiary Cadmatic, with extra space left to lease to other operators. According to Rautaheimo, Science Park offers good services for businesses.
– If we want to host a larger client event, for example, Visitor Centre Joki is right there, he says.
Rautaheimo expects that being close to the universities will boost Elomatic’s academic collaboration. He hopes that Turku Science Park will attract even more companies from the maritime industry and technology sector in the future. He is pleased to see how rapidly the area is developing.
– It is great that the City of Turku dares to dream big like this and actually makes it happen.
FACT BOX
An Ever-Expanding Innovation Hub
What is it about? Turku Science Park is one of Finland’s largest and fastest-growing high-expertise employment areas. The area encompasses more than 400 companies, over 26,000 jobs, five higher education institutions, 40,000 higher education students, and 11,000 residents. The Science Park extends from the university campus to the Kupittaa business hub and the Itäharju area.
What is under construction? Turku Science Park is constantly evolving and expanding. In the Kupittaa Core area, old industrial plots are being transformed into blocks for housing, studying, and working. The area aims for housing for 3,000 residents and jobs for 8,500 people. The Taito campus for vocational education, the region’s infrastructure, municipal engineering, a public transport deck, and a parking facility are currently under construction. In addition, the transformation of Helsinginkatu into a boulevard and the area’s green landscaping are underway.
What lies in the future? Turku Science Park is envisioned to expand to an area of approximately 90 hectares. By 2070, the goal for the Science Park is to attract four billion euros in new investments, 18,000 new jobs, and 16,000 new residents. The goal is to expand the Turku city center into Science Park by creating a versatile hub that combines comprehensive services, innovative space utilization, and an attractive, green urban environment.
Latest updates on Turku Science Park here.
Text: Heidi Pelander, pictures: Heidi Pelander, City of Turku
