INCORE

Resrearch area: Smart Industry

Project code: A82165

Language: Finnish

Project description

The project aims to develop the Technobothnia laboratory environment into a regional and national hub for research, development and innovation (RDI), education, and innovation activities. Its objective is to create a strategic operating model, integrate research infrastructures, and strengthen the ecosystem for competence development. The project will be implemented in phases: first, the current state and regional needs will be assessed; second, investments and operating models will be defined; and finally, a strategic operating model and investment roadmap will be prepared to support Technology Readiness Level (TRL) development pathways, education, and industry collaboration.

Implemented as a joint project, the initiative will ensure impact, continuity, and cost-efficiency while positioning Technobothnia within national and international clean transition ecosystems. The project is linked to the Energy Transition Valley framework and supports the definition of the role of the Novel Power Infrastructure high-power laboratory as part of Finland’s national RDI infrastructure.

The project will be carried out jointly by VAMK University of Applied Sciences, the University of Vaasa, and Novia University of Applied Sciences. It is funded by the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The total project budget is €333,203, of which VAMK’s share is €117,348.

Goals

The aim of the project is to develop Technobothnia into a strategically positioned, impactful, and scalable laboratory environment that supports regional and national research, development and innovation (RDI) activities, education, and innovation processes across different stages of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) spectrum. To achieve this, the project will assess the current state of the laboratory environment and identify future needs, develop a strategic operating model and investment roadmap, strengthen networking and interoperability between research infrastructures, and integrate competence development and education more closely into research environments. Through these measures, the project will foster ecosystem collaboration, accelerate innovation processes, and contribute to the objectives of the clean transition.

Results

• Current State Analysis: A comprehensive and systematic assessment of Technobothnia’s current laboratory environment, including its infrastructures, operating models, and user profiles.
• Strategic Analysis of the Operating Environment: A holistic overview of Technobothnia’s operating environment. The analysis will identify relevant regional, national, and international research environments; evaluate their technical capabilities, TRL levels, and collaboration potential; and identify key drivers related to industry sectors, technology, policy developments, trends, and funding mechanisms that will shape future needs.
• Workshop Series: A series of workshops utilizing co-creation and open innovation methodologies. Regional companies and national partner organizations will participate in the workshops, which will focus on developing collaborative practices and structures together with industry, research organizations, and other stakeholders, while exploring the most effective approaches and methods for cooperation.
• Industry and RDI Needs Assessment: An interview-based study examining the current and future needs of regional industries and sectors, emerging themes, and potential capability gaps. The objective is to understand how integrated laboratory environments can support research, education, and innovation throughout the entire TRL pathway (TRL 1–9), from fundamental research and prototyping to commercialization.
• Investment Plan and Funding Model: A development plan and funding framework for the Technobothnia laboratory environment that supports regional and national RDI objectives, companies’ innovation needs, and the strategic growth of the ecosystem.
• Strategic Operating Model and Implementation Roadmap: A strategic framework and deployment roadmap for Technobothnia that supports regional and national RDI and educational activities. The model will be based on the analyses, needs assessments, and collaboration models developed in the project and will position Technobothnia as an integral part of national and international ecosystems.
• Mapping of Related Research Environments: An assessment of other shared research environments connected to Technobothnia that complement the regional RDI infrastructure.