Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
organisations (universities, public research organisations and polytechnics) along
with various expert services for business development and internationalisation.
Tekes has an annual budget of about €633 million (2010), a source of funding for
1,896 projects. Tekes' funding focuses on SMEs; in 2010, 61 % of the funding for
companies' projects was allocated SMEs and 70 % to companies with less than
500 employees.
Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY
Centres) The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
manage the regional implementation and development tasks of the state admin-
istration. There are 15 Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the
Environment. These Centres are tasked with promoting regional competitiveness,
well-being and sustainable development, as well as curbing climate change.
Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment operate
within the administrative sector of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.
In addition to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, their operations are
steered by the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry,
the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Transport and Communications
and the Ministry of Education and Culture. Tekes services can be obtained via
these ELY Centres (14 in number) along with other public services for SMEs.
VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland is the biggest multi-techno-
logical applied research organisation in Northern Europe. VTT provides high-end
technology solutions and innovation services. Through its international scientific
and technology network, VTT can produce information, upgrade technology
knowledge, create business intelligence and value added to its stakeholders. VTT
is a part of the Finnish innovation system under the domain of the Ministry of
Employment and the Economy. VTT is a not-for-profit organisation and it's
turnover is 292 M€(31.12.2010) and personnel 3,167 (1.1.2011).
Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, was established as a division of the Bank of
Finland in 1967 to mark the 50th anniversary of Finnish independence. Sitra's
responsibilities are stipulated in law. It came under the auspices of the Finnish
Parliament in 1991. Sitra's activities are financed by the yield from its endowment
capital and the return of its venture capital investments.
Finpro is a globally operating organisation that helps Finnish companies in
export activities. Finpro was founded in 1919. Finpro's partners include some 550
Finnish companies, the Confederation of Finnish Industries, the Federation of
Finnish Enterprises and the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries. Finpro as
a public-private partner belongs to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy
Group and works in close co-operation with actors in the Finnish innovation
ecosystem
such
as:
ELY
-centres,
Tekes—the
Finnish
Funding
Agency
for
Technology and Innovation and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
Finnvera is a specialised financing company governed by the Finnish State.
Finnvera has official Export Credit Agency (ECA) status and it provides businesses
with loans, guarantees, venture capital investment and export credit guarantees.
It is important to note that there are active operating links between the or-
ganisations. The ELY Centres, for example, provide regional access points for
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