Oulu strives for growth in the health technology business

Only a few new health technology companies have been established in the Northern Ostrobothnia region in recent years. However, there is potential for significant growth in enterprise for the level of the multi- and cross-disciplinary research in the region is high.

The province is also home to a variety of technology companies with expertise which could be utilised in developing health care solutions for the future. Moreover, the general level of expenses, the need for services, and the shortage of resources have increased, presenting health care with challenges which require new innovations.

This spring, the first regional incubator activities for supporting enterprise in the health and well-being industry have been prepared, and OYSTER Incubator will be launched in August 2024. The OYSTER Incubator is targeted mainly for starting companies as well as researchers, students, and professionals, but also for other people who are eager to develop new innovations for the field of social and health care.

The activities are targeted particularly to experts of digital health, health technology, health and well-being industry, and diagnostics. The incubator activities are part of a larger OYSTER digital health research, development, innovation, and education centre, to be implemented in connection with the OYS2030 hospital.

The operation of the OYSTER Incubator comprises two stages. In the first stage, a business idea is developed and validated. The second stage is specifically dedicated to developing business operations. The services of the OYSTER Incubator are tailored according to need, and the aim of the services is to support faster market entry for companies, help them find funding channels, and facilitate the creation of versatile networks to support enterprise.

The first application round for the operation beginning in the autumn opens in April 2024. The application is open to anyone with the desire to develop new, scalable innovation for health care needs.

The OYSTER Incubator is planned and implemented collaboratively by BusinessOulu, OuluHealth, the University of Oulu, and Oulu University of Applied Sciences. Behind the implementation is the OYSTER project co-funded by the EU and supported by the Council of Oulu Region.

BusinessOulu (Incubator process and content):

Minna Komu, Network Director, OuluHealth ecosystem, tel. +358 50 591 7721, minna.komu@businessoulu.com

University of Oulu (Incubator management and developmen): 

Matti Muhos, Director and Professor, Kerttu Saalasti Institute, tel. +358 400 407 590, matti.muhos@oulu.fi 

Petri Ahokangas, Director and Professor, Martti Ahtisaari Institute, tel. +358 294 487 792, petri.ahokangas@oulu.fi 

Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Incubator activation and innovations):

Eija Hautala, Lecturer, tel. +358 50 5820070, eija.hautala@oamk.fi