In recent years a sizable concentration of micro- and nanotechnologies has formed in Finland, which also pursues their commercial exploitation. Finland's network of cooperation in micro- and nanotechnology was identified and assembled between 2002 and 2006 as a part of the country's national Centre of Expertise Programme. The network was given the name Finnish MicroNano Technology Network FMNT.
"The project's mission was to translate top-level expertise into commercially exploitable products. We also wanted to get all the Finnish companies linked to the value chain in different parts of the country to support each other during their growth and development," explains Technopolis Ventures Oy's Program Director Jouko Strand.
Strand believes that the Helsinki metropolitan area can already be regarded as an important international cluster of expertise.
"Altogether some 60% of the country's research resources for micro-nanotechnologies and new materials are concentrated in the area. The expertise of universities and polytechnics is also represented and companies have accumulated an abundance of knowhow in the field. Furthermore, some major global players are located in the region, such as Vaisala Corporation, VTI Technologies and Suunto."
Strand points out that Finland's micro-nanotechnologies cluster generated net turnover of EUR 600 million in 2004 and employed 3,400 people. These figures include some 115 companies and a host of research and innovation organizations. The players are either producers of technology or strong technology exploiters. Some significant players - such as Nokia - were excluded, while only the portions of exploiters' net turnover figures related to the relevant technologies were included.
FMNT has increased its visibility in Europe. At present FMNT is involved in two EU projects as well as in the OMNI-NET project (Innovative network exploiting transversatility, Optics Valley, Paris) launched in October 2005. The OMNI-NET project aims to build a European meta-network in cooperation with 13 European clusters and organizations.
The "Finnish Micro&Nano Technology Network - proactive integrator of European Microsystems Clusters" project was implemented during 2002-2006. The project proposal for the Center of Expertise for Adaptive Materials and Microsystems was voted a top project for the national Centre of Expertise Programme in 2002 and an award of EUR 150,000 was granted for its implementation. Technopolis Ventures Oy was responsible for implementing the project, which was administered by Culminatum Ltd Oy.
The Center of Expertise for Adaptive Materials and Microsystems is a part of the Uusimaa Centre of Expertise Programme. Altogether 22 technology centers and science parks in different parts of Finlandimplement the national Centre of Expertise Programme, which is coordinated by the Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL.
The current term of the Centre of Expertise Programme expires at the end of 2006, and the operating concept of the Programme for the following term, 2007-2013, is changing. In future the Programme will focus more clearly on enhancing the cooperation between Centres of Expertise in selected and nationally important clusters of expertise. The Finnish Government will announce the clusters to be included in the Programme, and the associated Centres of Expertise, based on a two-stage application process. Only those Centres of Expertise with the most advanced knowhow will be admitted to the Programme.
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