Why and how to partner with us

Five ways to build new business through science

Benefits of partnering with VTT:

You can harness the full potential of your technology and innovation initiatives – Speed up your innovation process. Invest in the right development initiatives at the right time. Measure the effectiveness of your research and development efforts.
You can anticipate technological development and business trends – Identify and take charge of future challenges and find new solutions. Use your resources wisely and minimise risks. Build a solid foundation for your strategy.
You get to engage in strategic research – Create conditions for developing new products, services and business. Test the technological feasibility of new product and process concepts. Minimise economic risk by experimenting in a safe environment.
You can develop new products and services – Turn your ideas into reality. Make decisions based on scientific facts. Solve complicated technical problems. Take advantage of creative interdisciplinary possibilities.
You get access to the latest technology (IPR and licences) – Complement your technology portfolio with existing intellectual property. Gain a competitive edge from new commercial applications of unique, protected technologies.

Three partnership models for innovation

Innovation comes from cooperation. That is why we involve businesses, other research centres, universities, technology policymakers as well as research funding agencies in our research and development projects. Our networks give our partners and customers access to a wide pool of international cutting-edge know-how, expertise and ecosystems.

Here are three ways in which you can engage in cooperation with us:

Customised partnership. Is your business facing a challenge that could be overcome with the help of research and technology? We plan and carry out customised commercial projects according to our customers’ wishes and needs.
Cooperative project. Would you like to take part in a research project where the risk is split between multiple funding agencies? We regularly engage in cooperative projects that we co-finance with our business partners and research funding agencies, such as Business Finland and the EU.
Membership in an innovation ecosystem. Are you interested in being involved in an innovation ecosystem that brings together businesses and international research partners to develop and test new technologies and business concepts together? VTT is an active member of a number of international innovation ecosystems, and we have also set up innovation ecosystems of our own in Finland, which look for solutions to challenges in fields such as smart energy, bioeconomy, synthetic biology, future foods, preventive health care, autonomous systems, industrial restructuring and electronics.

We are also always conducting strategic research in order to anticipate our customers’ future needs. Read about our success stories.

Explore ecosystems and partnership networks Read customer stories

One person is using a tablet and another is using VR glasses

VTT iBEX is a runway for inventions that will change the world. Each year, the programme funds ten or so projects, each of which has come into being from the passion of a research scientists to solve the global challenge they find most fascinating. Experts have less than a year to find meaningful solutions for bottlenecks.

VTT LaunchPad is a deep-tech incubator where we create bold science-driven companies that build on cutting-edge research. VTT LaunchPad brings VTT researchers and technology together with the best business minds and investors out there to renew industries.

Many of the most significant Finnish technology start-ups were brought to life at VTT.

Innovation and business activities combine

Through scientific and technological means, VTT turns large global challenges into sustainable growth for businesses and society. All of VTT’s research is guided by global challenges to which we develop systemic and technologic solutions.

VTT has 80 years of experience in cutting-edge research and science-based results. Our research, development and innovation activities are divided into three business areas: carbon neutral solutions, sustainable products and materials and digital technologies.

Our extensive networks give customers and partners an access to the best knowledge worldwide

VTT is an active and recognised partner in many European research and innovation communities, having strategic cooperation agreements with top-rated universities, research institutes and companies. VTT’s public mandate and broad technology portfolio have created the basis for this participation.

VTT is also among the most active European research institutes participating in the European Union research programmes. Joint European programmes such as Horizon Europe, EIT, Euratom, Eureka and Nordic Programmes, form the core of VTT’s international research activities. In these competitive research projects, VTT develops solutions with other key players around the world.

Examples of European research alliances for VTT

•   EARTO - European Association of Research and Technology Organisations
•   EERA - The European Energy Research Alliance
•   EIT Digital - European Institute of Innovation and Technology
•   EIT Raw Materials - European Institute of Innovation and Technology
•   EIT4Food - European Institute of Innovation and Technology
•   EIT Manufacturing - European Institute of Innovation and Technology
•   NUGENIA - Nuclear Generation II and III Association

VTT is active in industry-relevant Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and numerous ETPs (European Technology Platforms). VTT is also involved in three Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT Digital, EIT Raw Materials, EIT Food and EIT Manufacturing), as well as the European Energy Research Alliance EERA. VTT works in close collaboration with industry and participates in projects that will boost the competitiveness and renewal of industrial value chains in Europe.

The common vision of European RTOs (research and technology organisations) is being promoted via active participation in EARTO.

VTT in PPP initiatives (H2020)

Contractual PPPs
•   Photonics
•   5G
•   Big Data
•   Cyber Security
•   Robotics
•   FoF (Factory of the Future)
•   SPIRE (Sustainable Process Industry and Resource Efficiency)
•   EeB (Energy Efficient Building)

Joint Technology Initiatives / Joint Undertakings
•   Electronic Components and Systems ECSEL
•   Biobased Industries BBI
•   Fuel Cells and Hydrogen FCH