Innovations Renewing Southwest Finland
Southwest Finland is a region of bold solutions and new thinking. Research, development, and innovation transform ideas into action and accelerate sustainable growth. The region invests in data-driven leadership, collaboration, and renewal capacity—themes emphasized by the Southwest Finland Strategy 2040+.
In Southwest Finland, research and development expenditure grew by a record 31 percent in 2024 to over 700 million euros. The region’s shared goal is to achieve RDI investments of one billion euros and a 4 percent share of gross domestic product by 2030.
This goal is advanced by the RDI Roadmap, which brings together the region’s business sector, higher education institutions, Business Turku, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Regional Council of Southwest Finland. The roadmap guides efforts toward sustainable investments, new technologies, and innovations, particularly in sectors where Southwest Finland holds a strong strategic position, such as the maritime cluster, bioeconomy, pharmaceutical and health technology, food systems, and logistics.
Collaboration makes Southwest Finland a dynamic research and innovation region where ideas become solutions and research generates new business.
Networks Generate Innovations
The strength of Southwest Finland lies in its ability to unite stakeholders toward common goals. Research institutions, higher education institutions, companies, and public organizations form an extensive innovation ecosystem where new products, services, and operating models are developed.
The region’s development companies—Business Turku, Yrityssalo, Ukipolis, and Loimaa Region Development Services—support business growth and investments throughout the region. In the Turunmaa area, vitality work and business advisory services are part of the municipalities of Pargas and Kimitoön’s own vitality services, which work closely with regional networks and Leader organizations.
The Chamber of Commerce strengthens business networks and internationalization, while the Regional Council of Southwest Finland coordinates regional RDI collaboration, funding, and strategic direction. The foundation of the region’s RDI success is a shared vision—growth and renewal in a sustainable manner.
Data-Driven Leadership and Impact Monitoring
In Southwest Finland, development is based on up-to-date information and impact monitoring. The Lounaistieto service compiles data on the region’s research, innovation, and business activities and enables monitoring of the progress of the RDI Roadmap and smart specialization. Data-driven leadership, open collaboration, and foresight ensure that Southwest Finland continues to renew itself and grow as a vibrant region in the future.
