Invest in Finnish Cleantech
Finland is a cleantech leader. Cleantech is fast becoming the cornerstone of the Finnish economy. The sector encompasses over 2 000 enterprises in various cleantech sectors.Finnish companies are already global leaders in energy efficiency, clean industrial processes, and bioenergy. Other key sectors are analysis and automation, renewable energy, water and wastewater treatment, waste management, and emissions reduction.
Finland has a great deal to offer to foreign cleantech investors. The Government R&D funding totals close on EUR 2.1 billion in 2011 - R&D funding will grow by nearly four per cent from the previous year. The country offers a business-friendly environment: starting a business is fast, workforce is skilled and operating costs are competitive. Finland is one of the world’s least corrupt countries, and one of the most competitive and open economies in the world.
Why Finland?
- Excellent and awarded R&D environment
- Excellent and cost effective engineering skills
- Recognized worldwide for its top ranking education system
- Cleantech sector has close ties with research institutes and universities
- The process of establishing a business is quick and easy - takes only 2–3 weeks
- One of the least corrupt country in the world according to Transparency International
- In a strategic location for access to the Nordic, Baltic and Russian markets
How to Invest
Here are the key organizations in Finnish cleantech investment sector.
Finpro is an association founded by Finnish companies. Finpro's Energy and Environment Global Industry has approximately 30 experts. Finpro’s Energy and Environment Team's clients operate in a networked environment on a global market, as part of the value chain of international partners or as a Finnish overall solution Website: www.finpro.fi
The Finnish Cleantech Cluster acts as a network of co-operation involving four centres of expertise specialised in clean technology, Lahti, Kuopio, Oulu and Uusimaa. Website: www.cleantechcluster.fi
Lahti Science and Business Park (LahtiSBP) is one of the most significant activators of the Finnish Cleantech business, the number one cleantech centre in the Northern Europe and one of the top cleantech centres in the world. As a coordinator of the Finnish Cleantech Cluster LahtiSBP is in charge of the developing and the internationalization of the Finnish cleantech companies. Website: www.lahtisbp.fi
Green Net Finland is a cleantech business network that brings together the expertise and resources of Finnish cleantech companies, scientific and educational institutions and public authorities. Website: www.greennetfinland.fi
Kuopio Innovation helps local technology enterprises develop domestic and international business activity. It promotes cooperation between business and research aiming to the creation of new business activities. The focus of operation is in the fields of health, environment and wellbeing. Website: www.kuopioinnovation.fi
The Finnish Energy Cluster focuses on industrial enterprises that manufacture machinery and devices used in energy production, consumption and distribution, as well as on service providers in the field of energy technology. The cluster programme develops strong industry-centred research, development, innovation and education environments. The programme targets areas with highest potential. Website: www.energycluster.fi
Invest in Finland is the government agency promoting foreign investments into Finland. Invest in Finland assists international companies in finding business opportunities in Finland and provide all the relevant information and guidance required to establish a business in Finland. Website: www.investinfinland.fi
CLEEN was established in 2008 to facilitate and coordinate world class industry driven research in the field of energy and environment. Website: www.cleen.fi
Cleantech Finland Business Forum is an information and interaction platform for companies, organizations and authorities that have common interest to promote Finnish cleantech businesses. Website: www.ymparistofoorumi.fi
HighTech Finland profiles a broad cross-section of the exciting work being done by Finnish companies and researchers – in areas ranging from mobile communications and sustainable energy to environmental technologies, new types of health care, advanced industrial processes and materials, and more. Website: www.hightechfinland.com
Several financing entities are active in the cleantech field in Finland. Here are organizations which are worth to explore.
Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology. Website: www.tekes.fi
Sitra is an independent public foundation that operates under the supervision of Parliament. Website: www.sitra.fi
Finnfund, Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation, is a Finnish development finance company that provides long-term risk capital for profitable projects in developing countries and Russia. Website: www.finnfund.fi
Finnpartnership, The Finnish business partnership programme, provides advisory services for business activities of Finnish companies in developing countries and financial support in the planning, development and implementation phases of a project. Website: www.finnpartnership.fi
VNT Management is a Finnish VC focused on clean technology. Website: www.vntm.com
The FVCA, the Finnish Venture Capital Association promotes private equity and venture capital as an industry and is an active player also in Finnish cleantech sector. Websiter: www.fvca.fi
Cleantech Invest provides an investment advisory service for large institutional and industrial investors. Website: www.cleantechinvest.com
Other private equity houses in Finland that have invested in cleantech included the Teollisuussijoitus government private equity fund that invests in funds and directly in companies, Biofund, a life sciences fund focused also on environmental technologies, and Eqvitec.
Contact persons for investors
For more information about foreign direct investment in Finland, please go to www.investinfinland.fi or contact directly Mari Kankaanranta, Business Development Director, tel. +358 10 773 0310, mari.kankaanranta(at)investinfinland.fi
For more information about venture capitalist opportunities in Finnish cleantech sector, please contact Mika Sulkinoja, Development Manager/Cleantech Financing, Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd, tel. + 358 50 357 1723, mika.sulkinoja(at)lahtisbp.fi
