Tekes increases R&D spending in 2006
The Finnish National Technology Agency, Tekes, spent EUR 465 million in 2006 on research and innovation activities within enterprises, universities and research institutions, compared to EUR 429 million in 2005, according to its latest statistics. The money funded close to 2,000 completed research and development (R&D) projects in 2006 and created more than 830 products or services and over 200 production processes. The projects also delivered around 750 patent applications, 950 theses and almost 2,400 publications. More than half of the funding - €271 million - was granted for research and innovation activities carried out by enterprises, while €195 million went to research carried out by universities, polytechnics and research institutions. Tekes, whose funds are awarded from the state budget via the Finnish Ministry of Trade and Industry, focuses especially on the development of funding and services for innovative business start-ups. More than 50% of the enterprise funding was granted to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and almost a half of Tekes' customers were micro-enterprises, employing fewer than 10 persons. Tekes provides funding for applied and industrial R&D projects both through programmes targeted at different sectors of technology and innovation and on the basis of self-initiated applications. The technology programmes aim to enforce close cooperation between enterprises, universities and research institutions and increase their competence. Almost one half of Tekes' funding was granted through technology programmes, which in 2006 reached a total of 24. Tekes is currently preparing another 11 technology programmes. The funding agency also pointed to the success of international cooperation by Finnish enterprises and universities, which in 2006 had nearly 40% of their R&D projects internationally networked. Among those boosting internationalisation are the FinChi innovation centre in Shanghai and FinNode in California, offering contacts with R&D organisations, enterprises and government bodies.
Countries
Finland