Kerttu Saalasti Seminar: 3D printing of steel brings agility and security of supply to industry – Finnvera’s micro-enterprise loan receives the Kerttu Saalasti Award
According to the seminar speakers, Finland is well positioned to succeed amid global change as traditional industries adopt new additive manufacturing methods alongside established production technologies. Funding is also available to support technological breakthroughs.
According to Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto, Finland’s resilience is based on a polycentric industrial structure. Oulu, Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, for example, form a network in which electronics, technology, energy, minerals and process industries are interconnected. This structure distributes risks and enables several platforms for growth to develop in parallel.
A new financing instrument for micro-enterprise growth deserves recognition
The development and implementation of Finnvera’s award-winning micro-enterprise loan have been led in key roles by Timo Liuksila, Director responsible for SME and midcap financing processes; Elisa Sipponen, Director of Financing focusing on future growth companies; and Anne Laakkonen, Development Manager for SME and midcap financing.
“Finnvera’s micro-enterprise loan is an important complementary financing instrument that helps meet the financing needs of micro-enterprises. This entirely new financing instrument has provided tangible opportunities for micro-enterprises to grow, create jobs and renew their operations in situations where other financing channels have not been available”, says Matti Muhos, Secretary General of the Kerttu Saalasti Foundation and Professor and Director of the Kerttu Saalasti Institute at the University of Oulu.
The Finnvera team’s aim has been to improve access to financing for the smallest companies in situations where sufficient market-based financing has not been available.
“We want to enable companies to start up, grow, renew their operations and invest even when access to financing is challenging”, the team says.
According to the team, the micro-enterprise loan has attracted strong demand, reached a broad range of micro-enterprises and received very positive customer feedback. Based on the team’s experience, the loan has addressed a genuine financing need and helped companies move forward with their growth and development projects.
The team was delighted to receive the Kerttu Saalasti Award.
“The Kerttu Saalasti Award is a highly valued recognition for us. Above all, we see it as recognition of the long-term work carried out by our entire staff to promote Finnish entrepreneurship, growth and regional vitality”, the team says.
Research and practice go hand in hand
Close cooperation between research and industry was highlighted in several presentations at the seminar, from the perspectives of both the University of Oulu and major industrial companies such as Patria and HANZA AB, as well as TRIDIAM, representing smaller businesses. Business Finland also sees value in funding cooperation between research organisations and companies.
The panellists emphasised that, in addition to emerging technologies, Finland’s ability to succeed amid change depends on its capacity to build networks and adapt to change. Additive manufacturing brings agility and security of supply to industrial production. Its importance becomes particularly significant in times of crisis, as production can be moved close to where it is needed – or even to the front line.
A recording of the seminar is available on the University of Oulu’s YouTube channel:
Kerttu Saalasti -seminaari: kehittyneet valmistusteknologiat, uudistuva teollisuus ja kestävä kasvu
Photo: Juha Seppänen