Robocoast EDIH Consortium Won the Main Prize of the European Digital Innovation Hubs
The Robocoast EDIH consortium received the main prize of the Digital Maturity Award at the EDIH Summit 2026 held in Brussels on 9–10 June 2026. The recognition was granted among more than 200 European Digital Innovation Hubs and highlights the consortium’s long-term efforts in advancing the competitiveness and digitalisation of Finnish SMEs. VAMK is a key partner in the Robocoast EDIH consortium.
Between 2022 and 2025, the Robocoast EDIH consortium delivered more than 3,300 free services to companies across Finland, benefiting nearly 1,700 businesses. According to an impact assessment conducted in late 2025, the combined turnover of SMEs that utilised Robocoast EDIH services was up to 40% higher at the end of 2024 compared to the reference year 2021. During the same period, their number of employees increased by 27%. According to Statistics Finland, the average turnover of Finnish SMEs grew by 7.8% and employment by 4.4% between 2021 and 2024.
“We are truly grateful for this award. Above all, it reflects the trust placed in the work carried out by the entire consortium to strengthen the competitiveness of Finnish SMEs and promote digitalisation. This achievement is a great honour for us,” comments Mikko Puputti, the coordinator of the Robocoast EDIH consortium.
Utilisation of Digitalisation and New Technologies
The Robocoast EDIH consortium’s services, as well as its digital expertise and resources, are provided by 14 Finnish higher education institutions, 28DIGITAL, CSC, TIEKE, Dimecc, Crazy Town Oy, Savonlinnan Hankekehitys Oy and Prizztech Oy, which also serves as the consortium’s coordinating organisation.
Vaasa University of Applied Sciences plays a key role in the Robocoast EDIH consortium and provides Robocoast EDIH services to companies both in Vaasa and across Finland.
“VAMK supports the renewal and competitiveness of companies by helping them leverage digitalisation and new technologies, as well as develop innovations in collaboration with various stakeholders. In practice, this includes mentoring, piloting technologies, strengthening skills, and creating new opportunities for cooperation. As part of the Robocoast network, we actively bring together companies and experts. For example, the Demo Day event clearly demonstrated how these encounters generate new ideas, collaboration initiatives, and development paths to support business growth,” says Markus Kovalainen, Robocoast project manager at VAMK.
EDIH Network Supporting SMEs
The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) network, launched by the European Commission in 2022, spans all EU Member States and consists of more than 200 EDIH consortia. Its mission is to support SMEs in the business-driven adoption of artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and other advanced digital technologies. The European Commission-supported EDIH consortia provide companies with expertise, testing environments, training, funding advice, and access to resources within the EU’s AI ecosystem.
The STEP Seal quality label awarded by the European Commission to the Robocoast EDIH consortium in 2025 demonstrates the consortium’s strategic importance in strengthening the EU’s technological competitiveness.
Promoting UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
