Company networks
Local, domestic, Nordic and international contacts at your disposal
Oulu is one of Finland’s most international cities, and BusinessOulu is the activator of its business life. We serve as a hub of industries and company networks that provides Oulu-based companies with connections around the world.
Through our networks, we are developing Oulu into a more innovative and international city. Your company can easily join our networks by just contacting our experts.
Networks in the Oulu region
BusinessOulu can introduce your company to useful networks. The focus is on the development of six different sectors in collaboration with other operators from the regional networks. BusinessOulu is actively taking part in developing the target sectors of Oulu Innovation Alliance.
Oulu is known as the forerunner of wireless technology where the networks between companies and educational institutions are broadminded and work closely together. In the future, Oulu will be at the global cutting edge in the fields of technology that possess a strong competitive edge in Europe. These include printed intelligence, radio technology and smart technology such as Smart Cleantech. When it comes to modernising health care technology, Oulu will be leading the world towards a whole new era when the future OuluHealth is constructed in the Kontinkangas area of Oulu.
Oulu Innovation Alliance
Promoting entrepreneurship
BusinessOulu works in active cooperation with educational institutes to support entrepreneurship and the activities reinforcing entrepreneurship education at all educational levels. The entrepreneurship education network involves all educational levels and teacher training as well as operators from the business sector and from communities, projects and organizations promoting entrepreneurship. The network seeks to reinforce the path to entrepreneurship from early education to institutes of higher education and to increase the connections between different educational levels and business organizations.
In basic and secondary education, entrepreneurship education mostly highlights the development of one’s strengths and the abilities that pupils will need in their everyday and working lives. BusinessOulu participates in many working groups of general education and campaigns that promote entrepreneurship education in schools. BusinessOulu is also involved in the implementation of the Me & MyCity North Ostrobothnia learning concept. Located in Oulu, the Me & MyCity is a learning environment aimed at all 6th grade pupils in the area, covering society, working life and entrepreneurship.
In vocational and higher education institutions, BusinessOulu emphasises working as an entrepreneur and highlights the available guidance and startup services in connection with career and working life events and fairs, for example.
Research and education
Oulu is a research hub with a capital R: the local Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) is the largest organisation in Northern Europe involved in applied research. Research is also conducted at Oulu universities that provide a diverse range of education in different fields. The educational offerings are further complemented by vocational institutions and private education providers.
Regional networks
As a partner in company networking, BusinessOulu works closely with regional business services under the SeutuYP project that offers services that form a significant part of the nationwide Enterprise Finland distribution system.
BusinessOulu guides companies into service network
BusinessOulu guides companies into the regional business service network. From this network, entrepreneurs can access the services they need effortlessly by just contacting BusinessOulu’s experts. The purpose of the network is to provide customers with a service that best meets their needs.
Northern Ostrobothnia Center for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
The Center for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment grants subsidies and funding for business operations in response to applications. Funding may also be granted for preparations.
Northern Ostrobothnia Employment and Economic Development Office
The Employment and Economic Development Offices promote the functionality of the labour market by providing employment, training and recruitment services.
Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Yrittäjät
Over 4,400 entrepreneurs take part in the operations of Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Yrittäjät. This regional entrepreneur organisation and network enables entrepreneurs to influence the development of their sector in collaboration with BusinessOulu.
Oulu Chamber of Commerce
The basis for the lobbying work carried out by the Oulu Chamber of Commerce lies in the 17 committees consisting of corporate members. These committees put out motions and develop influencing measures from the perspective of businesses. The personnel of the Oulu Chamber of Commerce office and the advocates of its departments under the management of the Board of Directors are in charge of the practical implementation of the lobbying work.
Annually, the Oulu Chamber of Commerce’s Palvelu Oy organises 30 to 40 training events related to the companies’ financial administration, board duties and working community development.
The Local Tax Office of Northern Ostrobothnia
The basic task of the tax administration is to attend to the duties assigned by society in a consistent and productive manner. The objective is that customers be able and willing to handle their tax matters on their own initiative and correctly. Targeted and easy-to-use services make the handling of tax matters easy and decrease the costs incurred by the customer.
Finnvera plc
Finnvera grants loans, guarantees, export guarantees and venture financing.
ProAgria Oulu
The business services provided by ProAgria are primarily intended for companies operating in rural areas that are in need of an expert perspective for establishing and developing their company or managing changes. The expert network of ProAgria and its partners have comprehensive competence and vision about the business sectors in rural areas as well as the special characteristics, opportunities and challenges they face.
Micropolis
The cooperation agreement between BusinessOulu and Ii-based Micropolis aims to create a common strategy and action plan. Micropolis has started to actively take part in cleantech, and through this, new businesses are expected to be set up in the Oulu region. Environmental technology is one of the choices in Micropolis’ new strategy. The goal is to develop a whole new concept for the sector: Smart Cleantech.
Raahe sub-region
Haapavesi-Siikalatva sub-region
Kajaani sub-region
Oulunkaari sub-region
Domestic networks
As a partner in company networking, BusinessOulu works closely with regional business services under the SeutuYP project that offers services that form a significant part of the nationwide Enterprise Finland distribution system.
SeutuYp partners
The purpose of SeutuYp operators is to produce a better and more productive service for business customers by eliminating duplication of services. Taking part in the operations are:
- Northern Ostrobothnia Center for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
- Northern Ostrobothnia Employment and Economic Development Office
- Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Yrittäjät
- Oulu Chamber of Commerce
- the Local Tax Office of Northern Ostrobothnia
- Finnvera plc
- ProAgria Oulu.
Business Mentors
A business mentor is a discussion partner for new and prospective entrepreneurs to confidentially develop their business ideas with. The mentor advises and coaches the entrepreneurs and is able to look at things from an outsider’s perspective. Their role is to question things, facilitate networking and offer the right tools for resolving a range of situations.
Suomen Yrityskummit, a registered association, is the umbrella organization for a network of thousands of business mentors. Business mentors are experienced corporate managers and business experts who are committed to giving up their time and sharing their expertise to support the economic development of companies and municipalities.
Examples of other cooperation partners:
Foundation for Finnish Inventions offers you support for refining your inventions and innovations.
The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation Tekes offers funding for development, research and innovation activities.
International networks
BusinessOulu works in an active way so that the companies and research and education organisations of the region are able to network all over the world. These networks can be efficiently utilised in order to promote the innovations and internationalisation of business life in the region.
Read more about our international networks at our Exports page.