Technology Transfer: Policy and Strategy –
Best Practice in Innovation from Finland
Main building of TKK designed by Alvar Aalto
VEIJO ILMAVIRTA, PhD, Director
Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), Finland
Otaniemi International Innovation Centre (OIIC)
www.tkk.fi and www.otaniemi.fi
veijo.ilmavirta@tkk.fi
Helsinki University of Technology
(TKK)
Founded 1849 (University status 1908)
15 192 students
19 degree programmes
3663 staff members, 227 professors
10 separate institutes
151 doctor degrees 2005
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Otaniemi Science Park
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Inopoli 2
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International Companies
in Otaniemi
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Helsinki Metropolitan Knowledge Area
Highway of Knowledge
Uusimaa ”Super Region”
Most competetive Region
In EU
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Finnish technology policy:
Keys for international competitiveness
• Level and availability of human
resources
• Scientific and technological
expertise
• Country’s ability to respond to the
basic needs of business
• Co-operation of Finnish
companies and universities work
well
• Tekes´ technology programmes
have a key role in starting cooperation
(Source: International survey)
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Co-operation between companies and
universities and research institutes
Share of innovative companies
having co-operation agreements
with universities (1994-1996)
Share of innovative companies having
co-operation agreements with public
research institutes (1994-1996)
Norway
Norway
UK
UK
Sweden
Sweden
FINLAND
FINLAND
Portugal
Portugal
Austria
Austria
Netherlands
Netherlands
Irelands
Irelands
Italy
Italy
France
France
Denmark
Denmark
Germany
Germany
Belgium
Belgium
EU
EU
0
20
40
60
%
Source: Eurostat, Enterprise DG, 2nd Community Innovation Survey
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0
20
40
60
%
9
Share of cooperating companies of
all innovating companies
FINLAND
Sweden
Denmark
Ireland
Great Britain
France
Netherlands
Belgium
EU
Austria
Germany
Spain
Portugal
Greece
Italy
0
10
20
30
40
50
70 %
60
Source: Towards a European Research Area - Key Figures, Special Edition. EU 2001
DM 58774
06-2003 Copyright © Tekes
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Milestones of the Finnish technology policy I
1979
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1986
1990
1991
1992
1992
1993
4/2004
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Council of State resolution on technology policy
Founding of National technology committee
Founding of Tekes
Commencement of Technology programmes
Starting of EUREKA
OECD assessment of Finland's science and technology
policy
EU framework agreement on research cooperation
Report of the technology programme committee
Finland becomes a member of CERN
Finland is designated the chair country for EUREKA
Founding of Finnish Secretariat for EU R&D
Ministry of Trade and Industry: National industrial strategy
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Milestones of the Finnish technology policy II
1994 EEA agreement intensified research cooperation with the
EU
1995 Finland becomes a member of the EU and ESA, the
European Space Agency
1995 Funding of energy technology transferred to Tekes from
Ministry of Trade and Industry
1996 Government decision to increase R&D funding
1997 Founding of Employment and Economic Development
Centres
1999 Finland's R&D funding over 3% of GDP
1999 Finnish Presidency of the EU
2000 Finland took the lead in World Economic Forum’s Global
Competitiveness Report
2006 Special funding procedure for 6 leading technology clusters
(networks incl. industry, universities and research institutes)
2006 R&D investments in 2010 will be over 4% of GPD
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4/2004
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R&D expenditures in Finland, % of GDP
%
70/30
0
1
2
3
4
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
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Impact of Tekes activities
To increase exports, broaden Finland’s industrial base,
generate new jobs, expand welfare.
competitiveness
profitability
growth
Enterprises
new businesses
new enterprises
projects and programmes
international co-operation Research institutes
and universities
Tekes
provides funding and
expertise services
activates
co-ordinates
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FINNISH EXPORTS BY INDUSTRIES
1960 - 2003
% of total exports
100 %
27
16
15
80 %
8
5
5
6
6
24
21
21
20
19
19
18
18
28
27
28
33
9
9
9
6
6
12
31
30
60 %
40
42
18
40 %
20 %
0%
17
15 2 6
1 4
15
15
4
7
11
24
11
8
9
15
9
6
9
12
Mechanical wood industries
Pulp, paper and graphic
industries
Machine and transport
equipment industries
Electronic and electrical
industries
Basic metal industries
Chemicals
10
6
7
Other industries
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2001 2002 2003
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Source: National Board of Customs
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R&D at ”companies” and TKK
Companies 2004
TKK 1999-2005
Number of R&D projects
R&D % of
Diff. Turn over
M € Turn o.
M€
Nokia
VTT
Finnish Defence Forces
Metso
Outokumpu
ABB
Fortum
Wärtsilä
Elisa
UPM-Kymmene
Sonera
Patria
M-Real
Rautaruukki
Stora Enso
0
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50
100
150
200
250
300
350
16
400
Research Funding of TKK 2004
Total funding of TKK 212,9 M €
(External 97,3 M €
Budgetary funding 115,6 M €)
1 000 new projects
annually
6%
16 %
29 %
8%
17 %
24 %
Nat. Tech. Agency Tekes
Finnish industry
Other state funding
International, EU
Academy of Finland
Other domestic
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Innovation Strategy of TKK
Strong commitment of TKK to cooperate with industry and companies
(incl. SME´s and Start-ups) so that
mutual investments to know-how are
possible
Protection of inventions in cooperation with researchers and
partner companies
Commercial exploitation with
domestic companies is one essential
activity of university - TKK as owner of
IP



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IP strategy of TKK

Researchers shall be
acknowledged as
inventors



This sets an obligation also
to industry
Net income will be paid
mainly to inventors and to
their laboratories (40 +40
%)
University will charge 20
% and the real costs of
protection, marketing etc.
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O
C
Otaniemi International Innovation Centre
Innovaatiokeskus
Opened 1.8.1998
Staff 30
Helsinki University of Technology
Mission of OIIC
One Stop Shop
Organisation taking care of
IPR of researchers and
university
 Contracting unit of
university
 Innovation bridge for cooperation with industry and
companies home and
abroad
 Home for commercial
exploitation of innovations
 Academic partner in
innovation networksCopyright Veijo Ilmavirta, TKK/OIIC
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
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Activities of OIIC
Research
Researchand
andliaison
liaisonservices
services
Contract
Contractmanagement
managementof
ofTKK
TKK
Search
Searchand
andevaluation
evaluationof
ofinventions
inventions
Protection,
Protection,management
managementand
andmarketing
marketingof
ofinnovations
innovations
International
Internationalmarketing
marketingof
ofOtaniemi
OtaniemiScience
SciencePark
Park
Training
Trainingfor
forinternational
internationalindustry
industryleadership
leadership
Business
Businessservices
services and
andStart-up
Start-uptraining
training
Career
Careerservices
servicesand
andAlumni
Alumni
All services in strict confidence - free of charge
IP Management at TKK
Otaniemi Innovation Network
Researcher,
university
Foundation
Inventions
Tekes
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OIIC
Patenting
company
Licentia
Ltd.
Companies
Sitra
Fund
Culminatum
Ltd.
Technopolis
Ventures
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Ilmavirta, TKK/OIIC
Manufacturing
SME´s
Start up´s
Market
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