Innokilpa project boosts SME growth – Morning event highlights funding and AI opportunities

The morning session focused on two central themes: public funding and the use of AI in business development. Participants received up-to-date information on funding opportunities, practical insights into the use of AI, and opportunities to network with regional stakeholders.

The event was opened by Project Manager Jussi Peltola from Oulu University of Applied Sciences. Guest speakers shared practical examples from business life: Saku Huttunen presented Eeku Oy’s experiences in applying for public funding for an AI-related project, while Valtteri Kujala from Valfi Oy demonstrated how AI agents can be deployed quickly without heavy development processes. The event concluded with discussions, allowing participants to exchange experiences related to research, development and innovation (RDI) activities and the use of AI.

Innokilpa project supports SME renewal

Martti Ahtisaari Institute (MAI) is a partner in the Innokilpa – From Innovation to Competitiveness in the Oulu Region project, which aims to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promote the creation and utilisation of innovations.

The project runs from 1 January 2026 to 30 September 2027 and is co-funded by the European Union. Funding has been granted by the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia. The project is coordinated by Oulu University of Applied Sciences, with partners including University of Oulu and BusinessOulu.

The Innokilpa project supports SMEs particularly in their research, development and innovation (RDI) activities and in adopting artificial intelligence as part of business development.

Towards practical solutions

During spring 2026, the project conducts surveys of SMEs in the Oulu region to identify development needs, investment readiness, and barriers to utilising development funding and AI. The insights gathered from companies form the basis for the project’s future actions and the targeting of solutions.

In autumn 2026, the focus will shift to developing and testing concrete operating models and tools in collaboration with companies, higher education institutions and regional stakeholders. In addition, expert-led information sessions and webinars will be organised to provide practical guidance on the use of AI and public funding opportunities.

The aim is to strengthen companies’ capabilities and confidence so that the use of development funding and AI becomes systematic rather than occasional. In spring 2027, the key models and tools developed in the project will be compiled and made widely available for companies.

More information about the Innokilpa project is available on the project website.

For further information, please contact Associate Professor Timo Koivumäki and Doctoral Researcher Topias Poikonen from the Martti Ahtisaari Institute, as well as Professor of Practice Kari-Pekka Heikkinen and Doctoral Researcher Seshnag Revuru from the Industrial Engineering and Management research unit at the University of Oulu (firstname.lastname(at)oulu.fi).