In discussions among business service providers within the KASVA - Sustainable growth in SMEs through regional collaboration of research, innovation, and business development services -project, the issue was stated plainly: “How much time is wasted on overlapping efforts, even in projects? Not everyone needs to do everything themselves. By pooling resources and leveraging the network, existing knowledge can be shared.”
Business developers recognize the challenge of duplicated work. Mirva Grann, Project Manager at Naturpolis Oy, notes that time is lost conducting the same studies repeatedly, and knowledge and practices don’t spread.
“Not everything needs to be done individually. By combining resources and using the network, we can share existing knowledge and take further steps,” adds Miia Oja, a business developer from Utajärven Yrityspuisto Oy (Utajärvi Business Park).
Another major concern is what happens when an entrepreneur can’t find help from their local business services. They may not be able to afford external consultants, which can slow or halt business development. Pasi Anttila, Project Manager at the Haapavesi-Siikalatva Region, emphasizes that this isn’t just a problem for individual businesses. It affects the development of the entire region. Could a regional network offer support to prevent this from becoming a bottleneck for vitality?
“If a local business developer lacks the necessary expertise and the company can’t afford a consultant, does that mean the business won’t develop? Broader collaboration and the use of private service providers in business development could enable region-wide growth and make specialized expertise available to all companies,” says Henna Väätäinen, Project Manager at the University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute.
Challenges in business development are now being addressed with practical actions, not just plans. A network has emerged in the region where actors don’t compete but openly share expertise. The role of the network coordinator has been crucial: bringing people together, building trust, and helping make collaboration part of everyday work.
Concrete tools have also been created to support business coaching. The KASVA cards, developed to support discussions between business developers and entrepreneurs, help identify growth pain points and guide companies to the right services. The Digital Growth Coach is an online tool that includes KASVA cards in digital format, along with resources developed through network collaboration in bio- and circular economy and innovation. Centria’s Robo3DLab and the AI Fab Lab at Naturpolis offer companies spaces to test and prototype new ideas.
“At Centria University of Applied Sciences, students and researchers have become part of entrepreneurs’ daily lives. Through collaboration, research doesn’t stay on paper, it becomes concrete solutions: prototypes, products, and new operating models,” say RDI Specialist Sami Sarlin and RDI Coordinator Hanna Tölli.
This development work has a dual purpose: creating lasting tools for business coaching and bringing network members closer together, deepening trust. Importantly, collaboration has continued between meetings. Testing various cooperation platforms has played a key role.
“Collaboration has enabled mutual sparring and based on past experiences, more targeted and higher-quality events,” says Lauri Jouhki, Business Services Manager at NIHAK.
Deepening RDI collaboration and increasing RDI expertise is one of the key goals. Centria’s lab and analysis services have especially enabled small companies to test their ideas, while students and researchers have become part of entrepreneurs’ daily routines. Through collaboration, research turns into tangible solutions, prototypes, products, and new models.
Collaboration between entrepreneurs and business service providers has also materialized in events and workshops. For example, the Liekkipiste event in Kuusamo brought together creative industry entrepreneurs, business developers, and researchers. Inspired by this collaboration, the initiative was formalized and continues as a regional network beyond the project. Workshops have provided platforms for entrepreneurs to meet, learn from each other, and find new partners. Events have been held widely across the region, bringing knowledge and development opportunities closer to local entrepreneurs.
“Experiences have been shared, experimentation encouraged, and new initiatives have emerged,” says Mirja Väänänen, Project Manager from the municipality of Liminka.
“Building and expanding a network can happen quickly. Deepening collaboration takes time. Jointly developed products and services yield results over time. Leveraging the expertise of different parties in co-developing and delivering services can ensure consistent quality across the region. Through this collaboration, we’ve taken a big step forward. The network enables the flow of information, the spread of expertise, and tangible benefits for entrepreneurs,” says Henna Väätäinen.
According to Väätäinen, the message can be summed up in the slogan: “Out of competition, toward shared vitality.” She explains that this mindset is beginning to take root. It lays the foundation for a future where businesses in Northern Ostrobothnia grow, renew, and discover new opportunities together, not alone. Economic well-being is part of overall security. It’s a shared regional interest worth pursuing together.
Authors: The KASVA-project´s project managers
Photo: Minna Kilpeläinen
In Kerttu Saalasti Institute's blog we write about the topics of the Institute's research groups, micro entrepreneurship education and the Institute's general topics. The authors are researchers, experts and members of networks.
Our topics are: micro entrenepreneurship, future manufacturing technologies, regional excellence, micro entrepreneurship education