::: Finland – Startup@Taipei

World news

2018.01.03

Finlandtitle

Finland

background

In 1995, the capital Helsinki took the lead in promoting the Internet Metropolis Project. After that, Nokia's rise was even more dominant in the era of action. According to the Finnish Economic Research Institute (ETLA), in the ten years from eight to 2007, a quarter of Finland's economic growth came from Nokia. At the same time, Nokia's R&D expenditure accounted for helplessness. Nokia made mistakes in its smart phone development decisions, which quickly collapsed after 2010, and the number of layoffs increased every year. Until 2013, Nokia sold its mobile phone division to Microsoft for 5.44 billion euros, noting all of Finland. The rapid decline of Nokia caused the Finnish economy to experience three consecutive years of negative growth, and was once called the "patient of Europe." It was not until 2015 that a recession was barely expected.

Finland's past industrial policy prioritized maintaining the competitiveness of large companies and was not very friendly to technological innovations. High tax rates, bad weather, remote locations, and expanded work visa application procedures all hinder the development of new ventures. However, the breakdown of Nokia has also allowed new ventures to gradually spread, and a large number of expensive retired executives have become angel investors. Others put their rich experience and contacts into new innovations. According to statistics, there are as many as 400 start-up companies established by Nokia's former employees. The fall of a Nokia has created Angry Birds in Finland, Slush, the largest entrepreneurial community event in Europe, and Supercell, the developer of the game "Clash of Clans".

Overview of key industries

Industrial electronics industry:
Three-quarters of the R&D funds invested in the Finnish technology industry is the electronics industry, which is the most well-known R&D industry. In recent years, 2 billion euros have been spent annually on technological innovation. Including communications, transportation systems, meteorology, renewable energy, medical, etc., the proportion of product exports is as high as 80%. More than ten years ago, Finland's electronic communications industry relied on Nokia's production and development strategies. Affected by changes in the global mobile phone model, Nokia mobile phone component manufacturing in Finland has gradually moved to Eastern Europe, Asia, Central and South America and other countries in recent years, in addition to cost considerations, but also for the rapid growth of nearby supply.

Biotechnology industry:
With solid R&D capabilities, advanced infrastructure, and complete financial support, the biotechnology industry has developed rapidly in Finland in recent years and has become an emerging industry with huge potential in the future. Among the more powerful fields include pharmaceuticals, biochemical materials, medical supplies, health foods, industrial enzymes, etc. The rise of the Finnish biotechnology industry is not too early. According to statistics, 3/4 of the biotechnology companies were established after 1990, and there are currently about 250.

The Finnish Academy of Sciences, the National Institute of Technology and Innovation (TEKES) and the National Research and Development Fund (SITRA) provide considerable funding and technical guidance for the research and development of the biotechnology industry. The vigorous development of the biotechnology industry. Since the biotechnology industry is a highly technology-intensive industry, most products require long-term research and development. Therefore, the Finnish biotechnology industry mostly chooses to gather near the biotechnology center of a university or science park, and nurture it through close cooperation between the academic community and the world today. Many biotechnology manufacturers have been established. Industrial settlements also emerged accordingly.

Currently about two-thirds of the Finnish biotechnology industry is concentrated in Helsinki's Helsinki Science Park, Biomedicine, Turku's Biocity, Oulu's Merdipolis, Kuopio's Technology Center, Teknia, and Espoo's Otaniemi Technology Center and Tampere University of Technology. With funding and technology, the Finnish biotech industry also participates in many national and international research projects.

Information Software Service Industry
Benefited from the peripheral effects brought by the past global mobile phone hegemon, Nokia, the Finnish information software service industry has also developed. The technology of the Finnish information software industry started early. The alternative Linux open operating system is the creation of Finn Linux Torvalds. The internationalization of the information software industry has gradually deepened. The main overseas markets include the United States, Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Because the telecommunications industry has developed very early, the security of data transmission is also the focus of the development of Finnish software companies; applications in the wireless communication industry, local area networks and broadband networks are also the focus of development; and, smart mobile games, voice and graphics And other applications are quite profitable areas.

Important innovation and entrepreneurship policies and measures:

Economic innovation economy:
The Finnish government has always been committed to creating a knowledge-based innovation economy. It is looking forward to improving development through innovative technologies, establishing high-tech teams, and building competitive knowledge through the cross-application of technology, technology, business, design, branding and comprehensive services. As a result, Finland has repeatedly ranked high in the global competitiveness rankings. In order to maintain competitiveness, the government continues to increase education investment and R&D expenditures, and R&D expenditures account for 4% of GDP. The project plan established under the "National Research and Development Fund (Sitra)" studies the challenges that may be faced by future program innovation policies and develops solutions. At the same time, we will strengthen the cooperation plan in all aspects of business, design, organization, and process. Make every effort to promote the continuous innovation and sustainable growth of the industry in the global economic transformation, and improve the circulation of labor, goods and capital to ensure the enhancement of industrial competitiveness.

R&D rewards:
For companies or organizations in Finland that actively develop technology, services and business operations, the Finnish National Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) provides grants or loans. When a startup company is established or expanded, it can also obtain
Tekes can provide low-interest loans or subsidies according to the nature of the project and the stage of innovation. Tekes provides professional consultation and evaluation for challenging and innovative projects, which can reduce the risks that can be overcome in the process of technological innovation and high-tech product commercialization. Gold, the service target is unlimited, enterprises or institutions of any size, and even applications filed by companies outside Finland. Foreign companies that independently conduct research and development in Finland can apply for subsidies as long as their research contributes to the Finnish national economy. The subsidy can reach 15-50% of the cost, covering salary, raw materials, machinery, travel expenses and patents, and the loan can reach 45% to 70% of the cost. A single project can receive grants and loans at the same time, and also cooperate with other foreign units to develop innovative concepts in the service industry or apply for funding.

Tekes' audit criteria are summarized as follows:
Research and development plans have a positive impact on the competitiveness and growth of the company.
The technology developed has advantages and prospects.
The enterprise's own resources and network relations.
The impact of Tekes'  financing on R&D plans.

Source: 2017 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (https://startupgenome.com)

Expected industry support unit or plan:

kes Tekes-national incubator
Tekes was founded in 1983. In addition to providing financial assistance to entrepreneurs, Tekes is about to help them find suitable R&D institutions for cooperation. According to statistics, nearly 90% of Finnish corporate innovations are related to Tekes. As far as Nokia, as recently as Supercell, which developed "Clash of Clans", they have received funding from Tekes. Take 2014 as an example, Tekes has invested 134 million euros and funded 660 projects. However, unlike many incubators, Tekes provides funding for the startup team, only for 1% interest. And if you go bankrupt, you can even not return the money. From Tekes' point of view, due to Finland's inherently sound social welfare mechanism and a comfortable life, it lacks the motivation to take risks to some extent. The funds and opportunities provided by the government hope to encourage more people with lofty ideals to take risks and try. The replacement by the Finnish government is part of the investment in social services.

After the startup team submits an application, Tekes will evaluate the pre-conceived ideas and plans before deciding whether to invest. Tekes only provides a 50% subsidy, which is equivalent to applying for a subsidy of 500,000 yuan. , The startup team still needs to find investors on its own when it is just established. In addition to financial assistance, Tekes also provides assistance in market development and technical consulting to help start-up teams. Tekes is very experienced in finding new R&D directions and promoting new brands. Many Finnish companies that have succeeded in overseas markets have mostly cooperated with Tekes.

Sa entrepreneurial sauna
Before the 2008 financial turmoil, Finnish society had no imagination for entrepreneurship. Many young career planning is to receive a sound higher education and then enter a large company, and then enter a stable. , And then a group of Aalto University students realized their passion for entrepreneurship after a visit to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After returning to China, he established the "Aalto Entrepreneurship Society, Aaltoes", and then established the "Startup Sauna Accelerator" seed project. In Northern Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia, we set up an axis for entrepreneurs, serial entrepreneurs or companies to exchange experience. In 2010, Startup Sauna received widespread support from the society, and many entrepreneurs responded to the activity, including Peter Vesterbacka, founder of Angry Birds Rovio Ltd., Ilkka Paananen, founder of well-known game company Supercell and other 57 serial entrepreneurs and investments People added that the entrepreneurial sauna club is provided for team selection in spring and autumn every year. Through common space, course lectures, one-on-one coaching, and a five-week training plan, the team can assist the team since 2010. Since its inception, 222 start-up companies have rapidly developed good business models from Startup Sauna and selected potential teams to graduate in the United States, attracting approximately US$200 million in new venture investment.

New industry activity

Slush:
The Slush Venture Capital Conference has been held in Helsinki, Finland since 2008. At the beginning it was only about a hundred people, but in 2017. Slush is regarded as Nokia, after Angry Birds, Finland's third brand in the global technology leader. Over 17,000 people attended the annual conference, including 2,300 startup companies, 1,100 investors and 600 journalists. The purpose of the Slush conference is to provide a platform for startups, investors and media to interact, to help entrepreneurs get more entrepreneurial resources here, and to facilitate the cooperation between many large companies and startup teams. Many large international companies, such as Amazon, Google, Alibaba Group, etc., are regular visitors to the conference. In the short term, Slush activities can be divided into two parts. The first part is lectures and speeches, the second part is exhibition booths, and the third part is the startup team and investment. For the startup team, Slush provides investors The opportunity for contact also creates a stage for exposure.
https://www.dldtelaviv.com/index.html

summary

Finland has been ranked at the top of the global competitiveness rankings for many consecutive years, showing that Finland still has its unique features in attracting attention, such as complete infrastructure such as telecommunications and transportation, a sound financial system, high human resources, and abundant R&D funds. Finland is a small country whose resource-limited demand depends on innovation to drive economic growth. Its development advantage lies in talents and technology. Enhance its economic strength by cultivating high-quality research talents and using new technological innovations. Faced with the original economic pillar Nokia
From the government, schools to the private sector, they have begun to demonstrate their ability to innovate and start businesses, learn from talents who are not afraid of failure and dare to challenge, and support the creation of new startups. The implementation of a variety of innovation and entrepreneurship and management creates an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship, cultivates more entrepreneurial dreams, and knows how to create more new companies. Entrepreneurship activities led by Aalto University students' initiative, coupled with the school's promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship training courses that combine theory and practice. Establish a sauna accelerator for startups and Slush International Entrepreneurship Competition to link international entrepreneurial resources. Facilitating Finland's vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem can serve as a reference for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
https://www.dldtelaviv.com/index.html

 

 

/ 參考資料 /
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http://twbusiness.nat.gov.tw/home.do
➢ 大學創業生態系統的新興典範:芬蘭阿爾托大學的發展經驗
https://portal.stpi.narl.org.tw/index/article/10331
➢ [芬蘭現場]圖擊!!藏在校園裡的創業秘密基地Startup
https://www.bnext.com.tw/article/34475/BN-ARTICLE-34475
➢歐洲新矽谷芬蘭 黑夜中的創新烈火
http://www.cw.com.tw/article/articleLogin.action?id=5080265
➢芬蘭阿爾托大學推動跨領域合作,在校園實踐物聯網架構
https://www.bnext.com.tw/article/42090/finland-from-the-country-of-startup-to-the-c ountry-of-internet-of-thing
➢KEEP CALM AND WAIT FOR AN EXIT: ROLE OF EXIT VALUES IN FINNISH ECOSYSTEM
https://arcticstartup.com-/finnish-ecosystem-exits/
➢ Tekes
https://www.tekes.fi/en/
➢ SLUSH
http://www.slush.org/
➢STARTUP SAUNA
http://startupsauna.com/