Searching...

Finland Most Innovative Companies (Updated 2024)

Finland has climbed to 6th place in the Global Innovation Index 2023, up from 9th in 2022, solidifying its position as a leader in cutting-edge innovation. The country’s consistent presence in the top 10 demonstrates its robust innovation infrastructure and ability to transform research into commercially viable solutions.

At the forefront of this surge are Finland’s top innovative companies, revolutionizing industries with cutting-edge advancements in 5G, quantum computing, and sustainable materials.

Join us as we dive into the companies driving this surge, from green tech pioneers to quantum innovators, and discover how Finland is becoming a powerhouse in sustainability and advanced technology.

Insights & Analysis:-

  1. Growing Focus on Sustainability and Clean Tech

Several Finnish companies are leading the charge in sustainability and clean technology:

    • Neste (95 patents) in energy and renewables.
    • Infinited Fiber Company (30 patents) in sustainable fashion/materials.
    • Betolar (21 patents) in sustainable construction materials.
    • Metsä Spring (7 patents) in sustainable forest products.
    • NE Innovations and Solar Water Solutions (5 patents each) in clean energy and water tech.

This highlights Finland’s increasing focus on sustainability-driven innovation, with robust patent activity aimed at reducing environmental impact.

  1. Medical and Biotechnology Innovation

The medical and biotech sectors in Finland are also thriving:

    • Orion (51 patents) in pharmaceuticals.
    • Optomed (13 patents) in medical devices.
    • Planmeca (12 patents) in medical imaging.
    • Tilt Biotherapeutics (3 patents) in biopharmaceuticals.
    • Nexstim (5 patents) in medical technology.

These companies are contributing to advancements in healthcare and solidifying Finland’s reputation as a biotech hub.

  1. Quantum Computing and Advanced Technology
  • IQM Quantum Computers (22 patents) is leading in quantum computing, a growing tech frontier.
  • Other emerging fields include IoT (Wirepas – 16 patents), semiconductors (Picosun – 13 patents), and optical tech (Pixieray – 4 patents).

Finland is positioning itself as a leader in cutting-edge technologies like quantum computing and IoT.

  1. Innovation in Automotive and Mobility
  • Finnish companies are making strides in automotive and mobility innovation:
    • Nokian Tyres (6 patents) in automotive.
    • Virta (27 patents) in electric vehicle charging.
    • Moviator (9 patents) in logistics software.

This focus on electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and logistics aligns with global trends toward sustainable mobility solutions.

 

Insights and Key Findings (Top 10 Patent Filers in Finland)

  • Telecommunications Leading the Way: With industry giants Nokia and Elisa at the forefront, telecommunications stands as Finland’s top sector for innovation.
  • A Strong Commitment to Sustainability: Companies like Neste (renewables), UPM-Kymmene (sustainable forestry) and Infinited Fiber (sustainable fashion) highlight Finland’s dedication to sustainability across multiple industries.
  • Pioneering Advanced Technologies: The rise of companies like Dispelix (optics/photonics) and Virta (EV charging) demonstrates Finland’s focus on cutting-edge technologies poised to influence global markets.
  • Diversified Industrial Innovation: Finland is blending its industrial roots with forward-looking research through companies like Valmet (automation), Kemira (chemicals), and Orion (pharmaceuticals), showcasing a balanced approach to innovation.

 

Insights and Key Findings (Top 50 Patent Filers in Finland)

  • Pharmaceuticals and Medical Technology: Finland demonstrates its leadership in pharmaceuticals and medical tech with companies like Orion (51 patents), Optomed (13 patents), and Planmeca (12 patents). Firms like Revenio (11 patents) and Nexstim (5 patents) further solidify the country’s capabilities, positioning Finland to meet global healthcare needs with cutting-edge medical technologies.
  • Sustainable Materials and Fashion: Companies like Infinited Fiber (30 patents) and Spinnova (14 patents) are driving innovation in sustainable textiles, while Betolar (21 patents) leads in green construction materials. Finland’s strong patent activity in these sectors showcases its commitment to sustainability in traditionally resource-heavy industries.
  • Electric Mobility and Transportation: Finland is making strides in electric mobility with Virta (27 patents) leading the EV charging space, alongside mobility innovators like Nokian Tyres (6 patents) and Peikko (9 patents). This aligns with global efforts to advance sustainable and electric transportation.
  • Chemicals and Advanced Materials: With Kemira (93 patents) as a leader in chemicals, and innovators like Beneq (14 patents) and Canatu (12 patents) in advanced materials, Finland is at the forefront of material sciences, particularly in nanotechnology, coatings, and sustainable alternatives.
  • IoT and Smart Technologies: Companies like Wirepas (16 patents) and Safegrid (10 patents) are advancing IoT and smart infrastructure. This activity reflects Finland’s growing influence in connected systems for energy, transportation, and industrial applications.
  • Sustainable Construction and Engineering: Finland’s construction sector is embracing sustainability, with companies like Betolar (21 patents) and Peikko (9 patents) leading innovations in green materials and engineering solutions. These efforts align with global sustainability targets in the construction industry.

While Finland’s top companies lead the charge in innovation, the country’s universities play an equally critical role in shaping the future. Let’s now explore the academic institutions driving breakthrough research and fueling the rise of sustainable technologies and advanced engineering.

Which Universities and colleges have filed the most patents in Finland in 2023?

Here is a list of top universities and colleges that have filed patents in Finland for the year 2023:

RankAcademiaFound YearPatent Count
1VTT194296
2Aalto University201087
3University of Turku192023
4University of Helsinki164016
5University of Oulu195813
6LUT University19699
7South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences20177
8Åbo Akademi University19186
9Natural Resources Institute20155
10Tampere University20194

Insights & Analysis:-

  1. Finland’s Leading Innovation Hub: With 96 patents, VTT stands out as a major player in Finnish R&D. As a research and innovation institute, VTT is pivotal in driving Finland’s technological advancements, focusing heavily on applied research across industries.
  2. Aalto University’s Innovation Leadership: Aalto University, with 87 patents, is second only to VTT. Its emphasis on engineering, design, and technology innovation, paired with a strategic IP approach, highlights its commitment to turning academic research into commercial success.
  3. Strong University-Industry Collaboration: Institutions like Aalto University, University of Helsinki, and University of Turku show robust patent activity, signaling effective partnerships with industry to translate academic research into real-world applications.
  4. Legacy Institutions Continue to Drive Innovation: Universities like the University of Helsinki (16 patents) and Åbo Akademi University (6 patents) maintain their long-standing tradition of excellence while adapting to modern innovation needs.
  5. Focus on Sustainability in Agriculture and Forestry: The Natural Resources Institute (5 patents) underlines Finland’s focus on sustainability in agriculture and forestry, showcasing universities’ contributions to green innovation in these traditional sectors.
  6. Newer Universities Making an Impact: Despite their recent establishment, Aalto University (2010) and South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (2017) are already key contributors, with Aalto leading the charge in R&D with 87 patents, demonstrating the rapid rise of innovation in newer institutions.

Need to know anything else? We got you covered!


Fill the form to get the details:

Fill the form to get the details:

Our comprehensive report provides an in-depth look into the patent portfolio. The report includes a breakdown of the patent portfolio across various technologies, listing the patent along with brief summaries of each patent's technology.