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Where Businesses Grow
The Joensuu region is an internationally attractive hub for business, innovation, investment, and talent.
Whether you're launching a new venture, growing your business, investing or establishing operations in Finland, we're here to help you succeed.
With world-class expertise, leading research and education, strong international networks and a competitive business environment, the Joensuu region offers excellent conditions for business growth, investment and innovation.
More collaboration.
More talent and expertise.
More opportunities for growth.
You are surrounded by a community that wants to see your business succeed.
In the Joensuu region, business success is a shared goal. Companies gain access to skilled talent, strong partnerships and networks that help create new solutions, strengthen capabilities and accelerate growth.
Home to Finland's most multidisciplinary university, world-class research and education, and internationally recognised growth industries, the Joensuu region offers a collaborative business and innovation ecosystem for companies, investors and talent. Here, there is room to innovate, invest, grow and build a sustainable future in Finland and international markets.
Services at the Speed of Business
From the first steps of entrepreneurship to startup growth, business development, international expansion, relocation and investments, our free expert services and coaching programmes help your company identify new opportunities, innovate and achieve its growth ambitions.
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Entrepreneurship on your terms. Get inspired and take the first step towards your goals. There is no single right way to become an entrepreneur, but together we can make the journey much easier. We help you develop your business idea, establish your company and take your first steps as an entrepreneur.
Bigger opportunities for ambitious startups. When international growth is your goal, we help your startup access networks, talent, funding opportunities and new business opportunities.
Invest in the Joensuu Region
The Joensuu region offers businesses access to skilled talent, strong industry networks and internationally recognised business clusters. The close cooperation between companies, research institutions and education providers creates an environment where investments can thrive.
Whether you are expanding your operations, establishing a new location or investing in future growth, the Joensuu region provides ready-to-build business parks, industrial plots, greenfield investment opportunities and flexible business premises. Our experts help you identify the right opportunities and location for your business.
The Drivers of Growth and Investment in the Joensuu Region
Home to the world's largest forest machine factory. A global leader in locking and security solutions. Finland's largest photonics ecosystem. Finland's largest green hydrogen production facility under construction. Pioneering carbon-negative concrete technologies.
The Joensuu region's leading industries and flagship companies attract investment, talent, and business opportunities from around the world. This is where innovations in clean energy, photonics, security, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable industry are created for rapidly growing global markets.
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A Hub of Growth
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Forest Joensuu | The Forest Capital of Europe
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Photonics Joensuu | Among Europe's leading hubs for photonics research, education and business
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NATO Innovation Range | A testing and development environment for defence and dual-use technologies
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20,000 students and an international talent community strengthening companies’ talent and recruitment pool
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Finland's only Master's Degree Programme in Photonics Engineering
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A manufacturing network of 200 metal industry companies and subcontracting partners
- A vibrant region of 120,000 residents for businesses and talent
Growth, Investments and New Opportunities
Discover how businesses grow, investments take shape, and new opportunities emerge in the Joensuu region.
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08.06.2026 • City of KiteeNATO Testing Event Underway in Finland – Drone Startup Praises Testing Conditions at Kitee Airfield
Finland’s role in NATO’s innovation and testing activities continues to grow. Dozens of Finnish and international defence technology companies have gathered in Finland for the NATO Innovation Range... -
01.06.2026 • City of KiteeNATO Innovation Range Testing Event Kicks Off Today in Joensuu and Across Finland
In early June, from 1 to 10 June 2026, Finnish and international defence technology companies will gather across Finland for the NATO Innovation Range (NIR) event series, where technologies will be... -
27.04.2026 • Photonics industryStartup Afterwork launches in Joensuu – low-threshold meetups for the startup-minded
A new event series, Startup Afterwork, is launching in Joensuu, bringing together startup founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, students, and anyone interested in the startup world on a monthly basis. -
23.04.2026 • Start-up Fund JoensuuInvestor Timo Ahopelto at the Future Forum: Successful startup ecosystems need a breakthrough company
The North Karelia Future Forum (Pohjois-Karjalan Tulevaisuusfoorumi) brought together a wide range of companies, investors, researchers and development actors in Joensuu on April 23, 2026, to build a... -
14.04.2026 • ICT and digitisationAirship Company Kelluu Raises €15 Million to Build a Persistent Aerial Intelligence Layer
Kelluu, a Finnish deep tech company operating the world’s largest autonomous airship fleet, has raised €15 million in Series A funding. The round was led by the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), a €1... -
10.04.2026 • Photonics industryApply for NATO C-UAS testing – direct access to international partners
Technology companies, startups and defence industry actors now have the opportunity to participate in NATO operational testing as applications are open for the Layered Counter-UAS Initiative (LCI-X)... -
27.03.2026 • Business Joensuu newsUniversity laboratories finally open to companies – “a dream come true,” says startup veteran
Millions have been invested in university equipment, and now the goal is to generate value by opening these laboratories to companies, says the organizer of the SOHJO Hackathon, which focuses on... -
06.03.2026 • Business Joensuu newsTurku and Joensuu launch Borderland Europe cooperation on digital security – could accelerate Finnish companies’ access to international procurements
Business development companies from Turku and Joensuu strengthen national and European cooperation in developing digital security, border security and dual-use technologies. Through the Borderland... -
05.02.2026 • Business Joensuu newsSign up for SOHJO Hacks – University R&D Labs Open to Companies for the First Time
Registration is now open for SOHJO Hacks, an international hackathon bringing together companies, researchers, startups, and student teams to co-create solutions for future challenges. Sohjo Hacks... -
22.01.2026 • ICT and digitisationYoupret brings instant interpreting to everyone in Estonia
Traditionally, getting an interpreter has required lengthy planning and numerous email chains. Now a new era is beginning in Estonia, as Youpret's remote interpreting app makes professional... -
08.01.2026 • Business Joensuu newsSitra supports defence innovations in six cities – Joensuu’s focus is on border security
Sitra is accelerating innovation in the defence and security sector by supporting a new nationwide DEFINE network. Expanding to six cities, the collaboration will generate growth, jobs and new... -
01.12.2025 • Business Joensuu newsFinland’s Longest-Running Startup Competition is now Susicorn
PRESS RELEASE 1 December 2025 The Start Me Up business idea competition, organized since 1999, has been renewed and will take place under the name Susicorn Startup Competition in 2026. It is... -
18.11.2025 • Photonics industryEastern Finland’s regions unite to build a stronger startup ecosystem
Five regions in Eastern Finland — North Karelia, North Savo, South Karelia, South Savo and Kymenlaakso — have joined forces to strengthen the region’s startup ecosystem and boost its appeal to... -
08.10.2025 • Business Joensuu newsVisma Sirius acquires Kodia Oy – Start Up Fund Joensuu among early investors
Visma Sirius, a provider of software solutions for the real estate sector, has expanded its operations by acquiring Kodia Oy, a Joensuu-based real estate software company. The acquisition was... -
11.12.2024 • Business Joensuu newsKelluu selected for NATO’s DIANA Programme from over 2,600 applicants
The Finnish company Kelluu Oy, specializing in environmental data collection with airships, is one of 75 companies chosen for NATO's DIANA Programme for 2025. Out of more than 2,600 applications,... -
21.11.2024 • Photonics industryThe Eastern Finland BORDERLAND event brought together investors, companies, and experts interested in border security and dual-use technologies in Helsinki
Eastern Finland plays a key role in the evolving geopolitical landscape. The "BORDERLAND - Securing the Future" event, held in Helsinki ahead of Slush Week, was an excellent demonstration of both the... -
17.10.2024 • Business Joensuu newsFeteco Oy focuses on Data-Driven Management
Jukka Kurkinen was on the lookout for a final career project after over a decade in international online business and then leading product development at a major engineering firm. In 2021, he found... -
26.09.2024 • Business Joensuu newsNorth Karelian companies prominently featured at Subcontracting Fair 2024
The expertise and innovative solutions of North Karelian metal, plastics, and electronics industries are prominently showcased at the Subcontracting Fair 2024, taking place from October 1st to 3rd at... -
19.03.2024 • Business Joensuu newsRegister for the Start Me Up Business Idea Competition Award Gala on May 15, 2024
Which business idea will win the Start Me Up 2024 Business Idea Competition? And which ideas shine in other competition categories? Come join us, get excited, and listen to the winning ideas while... -
28.11.2023 • Business Joensuu newsHyCom Core Oy's UCOT platform strengthens Finland's position as the Hub for Arctic Data Transmission – Hyperscale data center planned for Rovaniemi
HyCom Core Oy, a deep technology company based in Joensuu, is introducing its next generation data transfer solution, the Ultra-Compact Optical Transceiver (UCOT) platform. The company elevates...
The Newsroom keeps you up to date with what's happening in the Joensuu region's business community.
Discover Business Joensuu news, company success stories, upcoming business events, and the latest content and media highlights covering growth, investments, talent and entrepreneurship.
Events
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Startup Afterwork
17.06.2026 18.00—20.00Joensuu -
Hurry! Registration closes soon.
Deeptech Startup ecosystem development workshop
24.06.2026 13.00—16.00Joensuu -
Business Café: Back to Business – huippuvireessä syksyyn
18.08.2026 08.30—10.00Joensuu -
Webinar: Business Beyond Borders
19.08.2026 10.00—11.30Webinaari -
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Hallitustyö yrityksien kasvun vauhdittajana
19.08.2026 11.30—15.30Outokumpu
Business Joensuu is your partner throughout every stage of entrepreneurship and business growth. We help you identify new opportunities, navigate challenges, and take the next steps with confidence.
Our services are free of charge, confidential, and available throughout the Joensuu region, including Joensuu, Heinävesi, Ilomantsi, Kitee, Liperi, Outokumpu, Polvijärvi, Rääkkylä, and Tohmajärvi.
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