Research cooperation with the University of Oulu is an investment in the future and competitiveness of your company

In our previous blog post, we wrote about Business Finland's first Leading company in the food sector: Valio responds to the transformation of the global food system with the Food 2.0 project, which develops the food system of the future and promotes the competitiveness of food exports. 

The four key themes of Food 2.0 — future products, technology transformation, regenerative production and circular economy and resource efficiency — are excellent development targets for Valio and almost any other industry. They are the success factors of the future, which will require collaboration between researchers and businesses. Collaborative research is an investment in the future and competitiveness of organisations, which is why the University of Oulu is an excellent partner for keeping ahead of the curve. 

High-quality research and collaboration for a better future 

The University of Oulu produces high-quality research and solutions to build a more sustainable, smarter and more humane world. Our researchers are constantly making new advances in areas such as the green transition and the circular economy. We are also developing new innovations for the food of the future: for example, a method to produce a new organic sweetener, created by our team of researchers. The use of this method is currently under discussion with companies in the food, beverage and confectionery industries. 

Our experts are helping companies to address both acute research needs and to set out on completely new paths to address societal and business challenges. We offer contract research services, co-funded research cooperation and the opportunity to participate in collaboration in doctoral education. Whether you need expertise with product or new technology development, application and commercialisation, or any other research that fits your company's strategy, the University of Oulu has the expertise and cutting-edge research knowledge to help you. We can also help you identify what kind of research knowledge could be most useful to your business at that particular moment. 

The University of Oulu has established successful research partnerships with a wide range of companies. For example, together with Joisto Group Oy, we implemented a unique hybrid blockchain network, which is now rolled out for full production and research use. Soon to be started PILCCU project will make the University of Oulu a part in the efforts of bringing us closer to a world, where local waste and carbon dioxide could be transformed from problems to solutions. The project aims to reach a full-scale pilot production of carbon capturing materials to be utilized in industrial applications. Read more about our research projects. 

Become our partner in Co-Innovation and Co-Research projects 

We are constantly looking for partners, for example, for projects funded by Business Finland. In addition to their Leading companies, Business Finland funds projects related to the topics included in the leading companies’ roadmaps. For example, see Valio's Food 2.0 roadmap on Valio's website. 

Business Finland’s Partnership model funding, or Co-Innovation funding, is particularly intended for joint projects between companies or companies and research organisations. Funding may also be awarded to individual companies (research, development and pilot funding) or to research organisations or joint projects between research organisations in the form of Co-Research funding. The call for Co-Innovation and Research, Development and Pilot funding is open on a continuous basis. 

There will be two calls for Co-Research funding in 2024, closing on 29 April and 30 August 2024. 

If you are interested in collaborative research with our world-class talent, please contact the Innovation Centre's business experts: 

Maria Juurikka, Company Specialist, maria.juurikka@oulu.fi, +358294487646 

Petri Leukkunen, Customer Manager, petri.leukkunen@oulu.fi, +358294481162 

Kaisa Still, Customer Manager, kaisa.still@oulu.fi, +358294488030 

We also welcome contacts from researchers at the University of Oulu who are interested in commercialising their research results and collaborating with companies. 

Read more about research collaboration with the University of Oulu.