The New Presence – Innovations from the North
Oulu is an insightful and down-to-earth city that lives and breathes on the terms of the northern nature. From its world-class research facilities to its vibrant startup ecosystem, Oulu has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering new thinking, advancement, and entrepreneurship.
As a region, Oulu and North Ostrobothnia ranks number one in Finland in RDI spending, 5,3% of regions GDP. For decades Oulu's ICT know-how has produced new innovations for the whole world, and today almost 3 billion people around the world use daily the technology developed in Oulu. In 2024, Oulu has been recognized as a second fastest growing startup ecosystem in Finland (by Startup Genome, Startup Blink) and the city was ranked the 13th happiest city in the world.
Skills for a sustainable future and continuous learning
In Oulu the input of the entire urban community is needed to create future urban solutions: residents, public service, politicians, universities and educational establishments, businesses and the surrounding natural & built environment. The city of Oulu implements the digital triple transition considering the digital, green and social aspects.
Oulu is a city of young people and city's commitment to youth engagement is exemplary. Oulu's educational sphere from primary schools to the University of Oulu, emphasize STEAM (STEM + Arts) education ensuring that young people are well-equipped for the challenges of tomorrow. Amazing North event connects local businesses, organizations, and young people using STEAM pedagogy. The event attracts a wide audience from all over Finland.
Talents for the Future is an Oulu-based model designed to bridge the gap between youth and working life. The activity is based on cooperation between the city, companies and educational institutions in the area. Highlight of the year is World´s Biggest Virtual Company visit which introduces the companies to future talents of various ages and backgrounds.
Long history of cooperation and development of the local R&D ecosystem
Behind our major developmental milestones as innovative high-tech hub, is a long history of collaboration. The foundation of the Oulu Innovation Alliance is based on 50 years of successful cooperation.
City coordinated Oulu Innovation Alliance (OIA) is an agreement bringing together our universities, research institutions and leading companies and the city with its citizens as a development & innovation platform. OIA was established in 2009 and examples of its successful collaboration are OuluHealth ecosystem and Printocent. Today, OuluHealth is one of the leading Health and Life Science ecosystems and Printocent cluster has grown a strong base of 500 printed intelligence experts in companies and in research in the Oulu region. Other successful clusters in the area include Circular Economy Cluster and Oulu Automotive Cluster, which brings solutions for electric cars, autonomous driving and new models for mobility.
An annual, joint action to boost innovation and empower startups is Polar Bear Pitching, the coolest startup event in the world where contestants pitch as long as they want, but from an ice-hole.
The city as a platform for innovations
The goal of Oulu's city strategy for 2030 is to combine humane, cheerful atmosphere to cutting-edge technology, entrepreneurship, and a distinctive, innovative, intelligent culture. When the city of Oulu celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2005, “panOulu”, an open wireless network, was launched as a gift to all citizens. Today, OuluBot -Finland’s first digital customer service agent combining AI and software robotics- provides residents, entrepreneurs and visitors with extensive and multichannel information 24/7. Oulu area is the first region in Finland to introduce HALI, a satellite positioning system, guaranteeing a lifesaving green wave to emergency vehicles.
Oulu offers a wide variation of testbeds from smart buildings, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, sustainability to education: OYS Testlab – hospital environment, OAMK SimLab – simulated service environment, MittLab – medical imaging, Oulu WelfareLab – social and healthcare, OuluZone+ for autonomous vehicles, 5G enabled research and training center, Urban Air Mobility Oulu, Ruskonniitty Centre for Circular Economy, Port of Oulu - port digitalization, Smart Campus Oulu, Oulu Primary Schools and FabLab – FabCity. The newest testbed example is Oulu WaterTestBed, to develop digital wastewater sensors.
Oulu’s experimenting is based on Smart City Oulu- program for 2024-2028 and looking to the future, the city together with OIA partners is developing MetaCityOulu, a concept for new presence, that is a leap into the new generation of smart cities and development of digital and virtual city services and administration.