A key strength of Finnpartnership lies in supporting companies by sharing risks when entering developing markets. We want Finnish companies to boldly explore new horizons internationally and build new innovations. Through trials and fresh insights, new cooperation and new business opportunities emerge.

Innovation funding is a new form of Business Partnership Support. The first innovation projects supported through Finnpartnership were launched during the past spring and summer. Our goal is to get ten new innovation projects off the ground this year that promote sustainable development across the globe. Although we are only a few projects short of our target at this point, we are happy to welcome more. 

You’re warmly welcomed to discuss innovation funding with me! I’m Topi Hukkanen, the newest member of the Finnpartnership team. I took over responsibility for innovation funding and consortium projects after returning to Finland from the Embassy in Hanoi this May. Having started my career in fast-growing tech companies, the topic feels close to home, and Finnpartnership team’s strong experience in developing markets supports my work.

With innovation funding, Finnish companies have found partners in our target countries and begun co-developing products that genuinely suit the operating environments of developing markets. Finnish expertise in areas such as education, environment, digitalisation, and equality is in high demand globally, and innovation funding helps adapt this know-how to local needs.

Solve challenges with international organisations in developing markets

Innovation funding also supports solving challenges identified by international organisations in developing countries. We aim to build bridges so that Finnish companies can form partnerships with, for example, UN organisations.

Such partnerships enable the development and piloting of Finnish products through field-level collaboration in real operating environments. The benefits for companies include market-fit solutions, new sustainable business, and opportunities for future expansion.

This spring, we began a collaboration with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), aiming to involve Finnish companies in piloting and localising innovative solutions for Indonesia’s new school meal programme. Addressing the wide-ranging challenges of a programme reaching over 80 million people requires an iterative approach.

Innovation funding offers companies the chance to engage in product development more freely than in other Finnpartnership-supported projects. Develop, test, adjust, and try again. There are many opportunities in collaboration and co-development with international organisations, and we are continuously working to create more.

Above all, I want to offer Finnish companies diverse opportunities to develop, experiment, and succeed. Keep your eyes open and drop me a message — let’s talk more!

Topi Hukkanen
Business Partnership Officer

Topi Hukkanen

Business Partnership Officer

Consortium Projects & Innovation Funding

topi.hukkanen@finnpartnership.fi +358 (0)40 139 8419