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 investors, talent and growth companies. The initiative aims to position Eastern Finland as an equal contender alongside Finland’s leading startup hubs.
The collaboration focuses on deepening inter-regional cooperation, creating a shared investment and marketing narrative, and building a stronger support network for startups and investors. “Together, we are significantly stronger than we would be as individual regions,” says Mikko Järvilehto, RDI and startup business expert at Business Joensuu.
Eastern Finland is home to Finland’s most diverse startup ecosystem, with strengths spanning forest-based bioeconomy, energy and circular economy, and health and wellbeing. The region also boasts strong expertise in photonics, biomaterials, health and pharmaceutical technologies, water technology, ICT, agriculture and food, and the creative industries.
The ecosystem comprises more than 170 startups, 90 scaleups and 60 internationally growing companies, supported by over 20 universities and research institutions. Together, these companies generate more than €700 million in annual turnover, with total equity exceeding €250 million and investments to date surpassing €130 million.
Each region brings distinct strengths: North Karelia is known for photonics, forest bioeconomy and digital border security; South Karelia for biomaterials and renewable energy; North Savo for health technologies and smart industry; South Savo for natural resources and tourism; and Kymenlaakso for circular economy solutions, maritime industries, data centres and battery technologies.
The collaboration will begin immediately as a network-driven initiative, with the next milestone set for January, when the regions will meet in Lappeenranta. The long-term ambition is to develop a unified investment strategy and a strong shared brand that positions Eastern Finland as one of Europe’s most welcoming innovation hubs.
“Eastern Finland is where science, sustainability and security intersect,” Järvilehto says. “For startups, the region offers a rare combination of expertise, funding opportunities and strong networks.”
Photo caption: Startup communities from across Eastern Finland met in Joensuu in early November.
Joensuu / North Karelia: Mikko Järvilehto, Business Joensuu, mikko.jarvilehto@businessjoensuu.fi, +358 50 346 9206
Kuopio / North Savo: Matti Laitinen, Business Center North Savo, matti.laitinen@savonia.fi, +358 44 785 6333
Lappeenranta / South Karelia: Emma Latvala, LAB University of Applied Sciences, emma.latvala@lab.fi, +358 50 572 8772
Mikkeli / South Savo: Marjo Niittuaho-Nastolin, MikseiMikkeli, marjo.niittuaho-nastolin@mikseimikkeli.fi, +358 44 036 1615
Kotka / Kymenlaakso: Jarpo Vesala, Cursor Oy, jarpo.vesala@cursor.fi, +358 40 190 2507
Kouvola / Kymenlaakso: Marko Kaltiokumpu, City of Kouvola, marko.kaltiokumpu@kouvola.fi, +358 40 676 2192
Photo caption: Startup communities from Eastern Finland gathered in Joensuu in early November.