This report studies the development trends for digital innovation hubs in Europe and in Finland, and makes suggestions on how to strengthen hubs that support digitalisation in Finland. Various documents, expert views, working group contributions and interviews of 50 specialists, primarily from public sector organisations, have been utilised in this publication.

The report reached the conclusion that a network of digital innovation hubs should be established in Finland. This network should be based on objectives and coordination specified at the national level. Regional, national and European investments should be more systematically directed to hubs that support the development and utilisation of digital competence. Themes addressed in these hubs should be based on sectors where Finland has strong digital application competence, and on digital technology focus areas. The development measures require national funding and coordination to support inter-hub networking, communication with other European hubs, and the sharing of best practices. The criteria for the hub selection process must be transparent. The selection criteria should stress the ability and readiness of the parties involved to accelerate the digital transformation and build international networks.

The report was prepared jointly with specialists from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and ministry officials responsible for innovation policy.

Contact persons for the project are Lasse Laitinen (tel. +358 295 047 162) and Pirjo Kutinlahti (tel. +358 295 048 260).