On 24 November 2009, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE) will host a Finnish-Russian nanotechnology seminar in Dipoli, Espoo. The Finnish-Russian Nanotech Partnering event will assemble nanotechnology companies, researchers and other interested parties from Finland and Russia. Through this seminar, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy is seeking to encourage the formation of strategic partnerships between Finnish and Russian nanotechnology companies.
The seminar will be held against a background of bilateral innovation cooperation in the field of nanotechnology. Last December, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy and the Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies (Rusnano) signed an agreement on intensifying nanotechnology cooperation between the two countries. This will promote the development of science and technology in the field while strengthening the relationship between the countries. Such cooperation will also reinforce the global competitiveness of key actors, since the best expertise and strategic partners are being sought, regardless of national boundaries.
The seminar programme seeks to envisage the prospects for innovation cooperation and to assess the global nanotechnology status in comparison with the already flourishing Finnish-Russian cooperation.
During the seminar, presentations will be given by eight Finnish and eight Russian nanotechnology companies, and several other companies will introduce themselves from dedicated booths. Companies will also have an opportunity for one-to-one meetings.
The seminar will culminate in a presentation of the nanotechnology research and research infrastructure and services of Helsinki University of Technology, and the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, located at Micronova in Otaniemi. With its state-of-the art facilities, Otaniemi is home to more than 50 nanotechnology research groups, thus comprising Finland's largest nanotechnology innovation hub.
The event is being organised by the Nanotechnology Centre of Expertise for Helsinki Region, operating at Culminatum Innovation. The Nanotechnology Centre of Expertise is part of the Ministry's Centre of Expertise Programme and thus one of the Ministry's practical tools for implementing innovation activities. The Russian side of the programme is being organised by RUSNANO and the Russian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association RVCA.
Journalists are welcome to attend the seminar throughout the day (from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.), participate in the programme and join the visit to Micronova.
The event's programme and registration is available online at http://www.nanobusiness.fi/portal/events/?bid=196
Further information:
Antti Valle, Industrial Counsellor, MEE, tel. +358 (0)10 606 3631 and +358 (0)40 700 4741
Eeva Viinikka, Program Director in Nanotechnology Centre of Expertise in Helsinki Region, Culminatum Innovation, tel. +358 (0)40 580 4982