ACTION PLAN for the REGION of Helsinki Uusimaa To be implemented and monitored from April 2018 March 2020

Transcription

1 The SMARTPILOTS project: Improving policies in support of shared pilot facilities to increase their impact on the Key Enabling Technology Industrial Biotech and the European Bioeconomy ACTION PLAN for the REGION of Helsinki Uusimaa To be implemented and monitored from April 2018 March 2020 The Region of Helsinki-Uusimaa is represented in this project by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (Partner 4), with supporting organisation Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council

2 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 2 of 17 Table of Contents 1. Introduction The SmartPilots project What are shared pilot facilities and why are they important? A Bioeconomy for Europe A Circular Economy for Europe Shared pilot facilities for the circular bioeconomy Helsinki-Uusimaa piloting infrastuctures and aims in SmartPilots project General Information Policy Context in Helsinki-Uusimaa Region Helsinki Uusimaa European Structural and Investment Funds Priority Axes and Specific Objectives Policy Recommendations from the SmartPilots project resulting from the interregional learnings Why are Shared Pilot Facilities (SPF) important? Why do Shared Pilot Facilities (SPF) need support? Support for SPF with respect to building infrastructure and maintaining infrastructure state-of-the-art (CAPEX) Support for SPF with respect to operating infrastructure (OPEX) Interregional cooperation Regional Instruments supporting Interregional Collaboration Interregional support for SPF in investing in complementary equipment Interregional support for SPF investing in education and training Interregional learning: Best Practices and Gaps identified Interregional learning: Gap Analysis for Helsinki-Uusimaa Region Interregional learning: Good Practices Actions identified in Helsinki Uusimaa to respond to the gaps detected Monitoring activities Endorsement of the action plan Appendix: Helsinki-Uusimaa support letter for SmartPilots project... 16

3 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 3 of Introduction 1.1 The SmartPilots project SmartPilots is an Interreg Europe funded project that brings together the open access pilot facilities (Shared Pilot Facilities, SPF) for Industrial Biotechnology operating across the EU. Through the exchange of experiences and sharing of best practice, the partners aim to agree regional action plans for Improving policies in support of shared pilot facilities to increase their impact on the key enabling technology Industrial Biotech and the European Bioeconomy. Shared pilot facilities are open access test sites that bring bioeconomy innovations from the laboratory into industrial practice. They are open to all companies and research institutes, and can thus be seen as shared investments in innovation equipment. They have proven to be successful in helping innovators, especially SMEs, to bridge the so called Valley of Death, i.e. the innovation phase between laboratory and successful market introduction that comes with a high technological and financial risk. Typically, initial funding from governments is available to build a Shared Pilot Facility, but it is a challenge to safeguard their long-term existence, especially since bioeconomy is relatively new and dedicated policies are currently lacking in many regions. SmartPilots aims to improve regional policies to provide support in a cost-effective and impact oriented manner. This will be done by: Optimizing direct support for shared pilot facilities Optimizing indirect support i.e. direct support for users of shared pilot facilities Facilitating interregional cooperation regarding Shared Pilot Facilities. Phase 1 ( ): The project partners, regions that locate a SPF or have a high interest and SPFs, each make a thorough regional analysis of availability and use of funding mechanisms for SPF and their users (through study visits and questionnaires to relevant stakeholders). During three interregional seminars, the results of these regional analyses will be compared and discussed and best-practices will be exchanged. The findings of the seminars will be summarized in Regional Factsheets, used to draw up regional action plans. (see: Phase 2 ( ): Regional implementation of the action plans and monitoring of the results of the implementation. The Shared Pilot Facilities and regions involved are Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (lead partner) and the department of Economy, Science and Innovation from Flanders (Belgium), Centre for Process Innovation from Tees Valley (UK), VTT from Helsinki Uusimaa (Finland), Bioprocess Pilot Facility and Province Zuid- Holland (the Netherlands), Innovhub SSI from Lombardy (Italy) and ARD (France) and CBP Fraunhofer (Germany) as Case Studies. 1.2 What are shared pilot facilities and why are they important? As Shared Pilot Facilities for the Key Enabling Technology Industrial Biotechnology speed up sustainable innovation, they are a crucial element in dealing with societal challenges such as developing a sustainable, innovative and knowledge-based economy in Europe, creating jobs and meeting climate targets. Shared Pilot Facilities are open access research and demonstration facilities investing in a broad spectrum of state-of-theart equipment and offering required expertise with the aim to help innovative companies scale-up their successful research to an actual industrial innovation (= Technology Readiness Level - TRL increase). Collaboration, in an early stage of innovation, with open access shared pilot facilities maintaining a high level of innovation capability, substantially lowers the financial risk for the innovating company and speeds up the commercialization of their new product or process. The long lead time associated with commercialization of

4 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 4 of 17 novel industrial biotechnology processes causes many companies to fail. Shared Pilot Facilities help companies to bridge this valley of death by reducing time, cost and risk substantially when scaling up innovations from lab scale to industrial scale. Furthermore, Europe recognizes too much R&D is deployed outside of Europe. Funds for support of the demonstration phase of promising innovations in the field of industrial biotechnology / bio-economy, are available, but companies find it difficult to access these funds. Shared Pilot Facilities can help companies to access these funds. 1.3 A Bioeconomy for Europe On 13 February 2012, the European Commission (EC) adopted the strategy "Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe". This strategy proposes a comprehensive approach to address the ecological, environmental, energy, food supply and natural resource challenges that Europe and indeed the world are facing. This strategy formulated the definition that the bioeconomy encompasses the production of renewable biological resources and the conversion of these resources and waste streams into value-added products, such as food, feed, bio-based products and bioenergy. Following this definition, the bioeconomy brings together various sectors of the economy that produce, process and reuse renewable biological resources (agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food, bio-based chemicals and materials and bioenergy) and is supported by three pillars. Investments in research, innovation and skills Reinforced policy interaction and stakeholder engagement Enhancement of markets and competitiveness. 1.4 A Circular Economy for Europe The EU s Roadmap and Action Plan for a Circular Economy Closing the Loop was published in 2015 and identifies biomass and biobased materials as critical to the introduction of circular value chains across the EU. The review of the Bioeconomy Strategy is defined within the action plan as a milestone for identifying the progress of the sector and what intervention is required to support growth and competitiveness. This was completed in November 2017 with the following findings and recommendations. The 2012 EU Bioeconomy Strategy and Action Plan is delivering on key actions in the Action Plan. The opportunities that the bioeconomy offers and the importance of Bioeconomy Strategy coordination are increasingly recognised by EU Member States and regions. Further mobilisation of investments is still needed, which requires a stable regulatory environment. Policy coherence needs to be better addressed, as well as the design and implementation of the Strategy and its Action Plan. The current policy context highlights the need for a sustainable, circular bioeconomy. Better monitoring and assessment frameworks are needed to assess progress. 1.5 Shared pilot facilities for the circular bioeconomy Considerable policy activity has taken place at the European level to introduce technologies that can support a bioeconomy and the transition to circular principles for the manufacture, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of consumer goods. SPF are ideally situated to support and respond the challenges of this transition through supporting the commercialisation of the underpinning technologies and their associated value chains. They are able to provide support to industrial research, on an open access basis, taking concepts that are emerging from academic and private research and development, determining the feasibility of industrial application and then scaling the technology through piloting and demonstration actions to reach commercially relevant production volumes. 1.6 Helsinki-Uusimaa piloting infrastuctures and aims in SmartPilots project It is necessary to accelerate innovation and commercialisation of new technologies, products and services in regions. Interregional learning in phase 1 in SmartPilots has significantly enhanced the understanding of operational, financial and business models of (shared) pilot facilities and their special features in providing access to industry. There has not been previous benchmark and learning opportunity on these issues at

5 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 5 of 17 national or European level. In Finland, there is not any existing structural funding nor specific schemes aimed at direct or indirect support for SPFs. This project gives considerable added value to national and regional decision and policy makers involved in designing and implementing policies targeting piloting and demonstration in general. The project has brought together relevant stakeholders from the region, to facilitate building up of a dynamic policy actor - end user interface, and to benchmark with and learn from other pilot plant experiences within the consortium. In addition, we foresee new companies utilising the services of VTT Bioruukki pilot plant thus enhancing innovation directly. VTT Bioruukki has with this project influenced the strategies guiding the regional developing and financing. Pilot facilities as means to boost business from circular economy are included in both the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Programme (accepted by the Council of Helsinki-Uusimaa Region ) and the update of the regional smart specialisation strategy (2017). The use of structural funds in Helsinki-Uusimaa is guided by Finland s operational program, by the Regional Programme and by the smart specialisation strategy. In SmartPilots project, goals of VTT and Helsinki-Uusimaa region are to find out: How to facilitate and support long term investment for VTT Bioruukki pilot plant How support access of industry and other users to open technology infrastructures VTT has opened Bioruukki piloting centre in VTT s Bioruukki pilot plant is a major regional innovation platform in the field of bioeconomy bringing together different actors: large enterprises, SMEs, academia, RTOs and municipalities, also from outside the region, thus having a key role in the innovation-driven Bioeconomy Transformation in Finland. VTT Bioruukki pilot plant is the largest innovation hub in Northern Europe. Total investment costs of Bioruukki pilot centre are estimated to be 32 MEUR by Financing comprises special grants from national government budgets (13 MEUR), VTT s own capital investments (10 MEUR), real estate owner (9 MEUR paid in-kind). Additionally the estimated labor cost of building the equipment and ramping up activities is approx. 1 MEUR. Academy of Finland has funded VTT s new Bioeconomy infrastructure equipment with 2.6 M and Helsinki Uusimaa region 0.5 M (specifically for a fibre spinning pilot).

6 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 6 of General Information Project: SmartPilots project Partner organisation: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland with supporting organisation Helsinki- Uusimaa Regional Council Other partner organisations involved (if relevant): No Country: Finland NUTS2 region: Helsinki-Uusimaa Contact person: Pauliina Tukiainen, VTT address: pauliina.tukiainen@vtt.fi Phone number: Contact person in the Regional Council: Kristiina Heiniemi-Pulkkinen address: Kristiina.heiniemi-pulkkinen@uudenmaanliitto.fi Phone number: Policy Context in Helsinki-Uusimaa Region The Action Plan aims to impact: x Investment for Growth and Jobs programme European Territorial Cooperation programme x Other regional development policy instrument Name of the policy instrument addressed: Finland s operational programme , Sustainable growth and work Finland's Structural Fund programme 3.1 Helsinki Uusimaa European Structural and Investment Funds Priority Axes and Specific Objectives Finland s operational programme has five priority axes and 13 specific objectives. The priority axes and specific objectives of ERDF for Helsinki-Uusimaa are 1. Competitiveness of SMEs (ERDF) with the specific objectives of - Generating new business - Promoting growth and internationalisation of enterprises - Promoting energy efficiency in SMEs 2. Producing and using the latest information and knowledge (ERDF) with the specific objectives of - Development of the centres of research, expertise and innovation on the basis of regional strengths - Strengthening innovation in enterprises - Developing solutions based on renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions The projects financed within the programme are expected e.g. to - enhance the RDI-competitiveness of SMEs for new products, processes or services - support RDI-competitiveness of SMEs by developing links and synergies between enterprises, research and development centres and the higher education sector - enhance readiness of RDI-processes in companies

7 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 7 of 17 This highlights the support to R&I infrastructure, pilot lines, demonstration and early product validation actions particularly the field of Key Enabling Technologies (KET) as well as increasing closer cooperation between industry and research community. Bioeconomy is seen as one of the sectors in special focus. One of Southern Finland s smart specialization goals defined for was to make Helsinki-Uusimaa Region the leading European platform for development of Cleantech solutions, including testing, development and commercialization of environmental technologies, energy solutions, biomass utilization, key infrastructure, and service models. Bio- and circular economy are recognized as a strategic priority for VTT and Finland. 4. Policy Recommendations from the SmartPilots project resulting from the interregional learnings. 4.1 Why are Shared Pilot Facilities (SPF) important? As Shared Pilot Facilities for the Key Enabling Technology Industrial Biotechnology speed up sustainable innovation, they are a crucial element in dealing with societal challenges such as developing a sustainable, innovative and knowledge-based economy in Europe, creating jobs and meeting climate targets. Shared Pilot Facilities are open access research and demonstration facilities investing in a broad spectrum of state-of-theart equipment and offering required expertise with the aim to help innovative companies scale-up their successful research to an actual industrial innovation (= Technology Readiness Level - TRL increase). Collaboration, in at an early stage of innovation, with open access shared pilot facilities maintaining a high level of innovation capability, substantially lowers the financial risk for the innovating companies and speeds up the commercialization of their new products or processes. The long lead time associated with commercialization of novel industrial biotechnology processes causes many companies to fail. Shared Pilot Facilities help companies to bridge this valley of death substantially by reducing time, cost and risk substantially when scaling up innovations from lab scale to industrial scale. Furthermore, Europe recognizes too much R&D is deployed outside of Europe. Funds for support of the demonstration phase of promising innovations in the field of industrial biotechnology / bio-economy, are available, but companies find it difficult to access these funds. Working together with Shared Pilot Facilities can help companies to access these funds. 4.2 Why do Shared Pilot Facilities (SPF) need support? Shared Pilot Facilities should be considered as shared investments in equipment and expertise. As SPFs get no risk premium for the continuous and large investment needed to remain state-of-the-art, a full commercial business model is not viable. Due to market failure there is underinvestment from the private side in these SPFs. Therefore, public investment in SPF is indispensable and ensures that the high cost of pilot and demonstration actions can be mitigated for e.g. SMEs through the availability of open access capabilities. Due to market failure there is underinvestment from the private side in these SPF. Moreover, the positive externalities for the innovation system as a whole (i.e. job creation and investments in new production lines at the SPF customers premises) justify public support to shared pilot facilities.

8 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 8 of Support for SPF with respect to building infrastructure and maintaining infrastructure state-of-the-art (CAPEX) Support should be given to overcome market failure: Open access pilot and demo infrastructure investments could be financed through ERDF or through regional / national support (as ERDF funds might be limited in some regions). These financial instruments should fit into a wider bio-economy and innovation policy to assure that the ecosystem is available that feeds the SPF with sufficient projects. To deliver the most sustainably competitive products in terms of techno-economics and environmental impact, and to stay at the forefront of innovation, critical mass is required for Shared Pilot Facilities, both in hardware and people (=equipment, and expertise and knowhow). Investment priority should be given to invest in existing facilities to keep maintain their state-of-the art equipment up-to-date and continuously develop their expertise and networks thus to deliver the best possible service. To maximize the impact of SPF, regional policy makers should also create mechanisms to allow support for interregional and international collaboration between SPF and their users. Essentially, the investment in a production line with concomitant job-creation will occur in the region where the technology-owner stems from, and not in the region where the SPF is located. 4.4 Support for SPF with respect to operating infrastructure (OPEX) Ideally, this type of support following measures fits into a triple or quadruple helix setting that contains the following elements: Financial instruments that fit into a bio-economy and/or innovation policy embedded in a regional smart specialisation strategy. Public private partnerships that co-develop the infrastructure and capabilities from low to higher TRL (e.g. the Flemish Spearhead Clusters, the UK Catapults). The project funding instruments support projects along the TRL scale and include the higher TRL (TRL5 and up). Projects with higher TRL can be promoted e.g. by higher scores by collaborative projects between industries and academia or for research project going up to TRL 5 (cfr. H2020 evaluation scores). Intermediators encouraging and monitoring the appropriate use of this portfolio of instruments: experts in bio-economy and innovation that inform and support potential applicants with setting up projects (e.g. innovation agents or business developers for the Spearhead Clusters). An innovation one-stop-shop service that includes access to SPF as well as access to accompanying consulting advisory services to overcome non-technological innovation barriers. This can be achieved by voucher support: vouchers are a fast and non-bureaucratic way of financial support. Previous experience from SPF with voucher systems showed that the best response was achieved with vouchers that were sufficiently large (from ) but require a co-funding from the applicant. 4.5 Interregional cooperation Regional Instruments supporting Interregional Collaboration There are currently only few regions that support regional actors to cooperate with or to subcontract tasks to actors from another region, e.g. to SPF from outside the region. In the case of SPF however, this would be beneficial for the region since SPFs are highly capital intensive. It is therefore detrimental to invest separately in SPF for every single region, as many SPFs would not be able to survive due to too few projects to feed them with. Starting new initiatives risks diluting the already available technologies and expertise, resulting in SPF offering suboptimal services.

9 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 9 of 17 A better strategy is to promote the use of existing SPF, even if this means using an SPF located in another region. Since the investment in a new production line after a successful scale-up campaign in an SPF will occur in the region where the technology-owner stems from (and not in the region where the SPF is located), this would not result in less economic impact for the region of origin. The regional financial instrument could include an impact evaluation assessing the applicants plans to invest in their region of origin. This will create a win-win situation: a well-equipped, state-of-theart SPF can deliver processes that are techno-economically and environmentally more competitive and thus have the best possible chance at making a successful market entry. This will ensure a sound investment and sustainable job creation. A cross border initiative such as the Vanguard Initiative stresses the need for supporting interregional collaboration using regional instruments ( The Vanguard initiative is a network of regions that wishes to exchange information and set up joint investments in innovative sectors where market-failure occurs. It thus promotes interregional cooperation with the aim to create a larger leverage effect than each region can do in on its own Interregional support for SPF in investing in complementary equipment. There is currently no interregional instrument for infrastructure investments in complementary equipment in the different SPF. This could be organised the following way: By labelling ERDF calls linked to interregional collaboration. By setting up an Interreg (for Infrastructure Investments), where the regions do not need to be adjacent. This would be a new type of Interreg Europe where investments in infrastructure are possible. By setting up an ESFRI analogue aimed at higher TRL infrastructure Interregional support for SPF investing in education and training. A sort of COST Action or mobility program for high TRLs would be a useful instrument. Exchanges could allow researchers/students to work at a pilot or demo infrastructure and get as such acquainted with the particularities of scale-up from science and research to industrial implementation. As Pilot facilities are in operational modus, expenses for education and training are typically not covered. SPFs however are open to such exchanges as it could enlarge their network and facilitate recruiting (learning on the job).

10 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 10 of 17 5 Interregional learning: Best Practices and Gaps identified 5.1 Interregional learning: Gap Analysis for Helsinki-Uusimaa Region In SmartPilots following gaps in funding instruments available in Helsinki-Uusimaa have been identified. In this action plan we will focus on actions to improve current situation: In Finland currently no large investment instrument exists and no major capital investments in buildings and equipment are directly financed by the Academy of Finland or by Business Finland. Combining national and European funding is needed to fill this funding gap. High dependency on special funding from TEM Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Important to find new funding sources. Total ERDF budget in Helsinki-Uusimaa region is very limited, as well towards direct and indirect support mechanisms. The key player that finances piloting activities of companies has been Tekes, the Finnish funding agency for innovation. At the start of 2018 Tekes was fully integrated with Finpro,national office for internationalisation of companies, into a new organisation called Business Finland (BF). There is a shift in BF support focus from large firms to SME s. Funding schemes and priorities for pilot activities need to be discussed. Due to previous budget cuts Tekes funding dropped by 30 % in the period As Finland is a small open economy, it is important to attract companies from Europe and beyond to be able to run in a sustainable way. H2020 SME instrument encourages SME s to invest in own assets rather than stimulating subcontracting or partnerships with existing infrastructure. New funding instruments for cross regional co-operation are needed. 5.2 Interregional learning: Good Practices It is necessary to accelerate innovation and commercialisation of new technologies, products and services in regions. Interregional learning in phase 1 in SmartPilots has significantly enhanced the understanding of operational, financial and business models of (shared) pilot facilities and their special features in providing access to industry. There has not been previous benchmark and learning opportunity on these issues at national or European level. The partner regions of SmartPilots project presented each other the possibilities for pilot facilities to get regional direct and indirect funding as well as the international cooperation options. This was the basis for defining best practice business models that keep an open access pilot infrastructure (capex) operational and relevant for the Regional Smart Specialisation domains related to bio-economy. Good practices identified in SmartPilots project: Good practice 1: Voucher for SME to access pilot and demonstration infrastructures Good practice 2: Shared pilot facilities finding synergies between ESIF and H2020 Good practice 3: The Value of CATAPULT Centres Good practice 4: Innovation voucher for Seal of Excellence projects Good practice 5: Innovation (R&D) company grant scheme of Flanders Innovation and Enterprise For more detailed information on these good practices:

11 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 11 of 17 In this action plan, we will use the following interregional learnings and identified good practices of other regions to improve currents situation in Finland. Within Smart Pilots project, Bio Based Pilot plant presented good practice for Innovation voucher to SME s within the Interreg North West Europe Region. SMEs were offered technological support by Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant through innovation vouchers up to EURO. Good practise presented in SmartPilots inspired VTT and Helsinki Uusimaa region therefore we will present proposal to increase voucher scheme for SMEs from 5000 to and include interregional possibilities to the voucher system. Catapult centres, a network of world-leading centres designed to transform high potential ideas into new products and services to generate economic growth. This good practise and study visits within SmartPilots demonstrated importance building business ecosystems around pilot facilities and benefits of having multidisciplinary piloting infrastructures within piloting facility. In this action plan VTT and Helsinki-Uusimaa will prepare plan to build business ecosystem around Bioruukki piloting centre. Actions and links to interregional learning are described in detail in chapter 6. 6 Actions identified in Helsinki Uusimaa to respond to the gaps detected Action 1 Improving access of industry and other users to open technology infrastructures and support development of new business ecosystems 1. Background The context It is necessary to accelerate innovation and commercialisation of new technologies, products and services in regions. SmartPilots has significantly enhanced the understanding of operational, financial and business model of (shared) pilot facilities and their special features in providing access to industry. Finland is a small open economy it is key to attract companies from Europe and beyond as to be able to run in a sustainable way. VTT Bioruukki has with this project already influenced the strategies guiding the regional developing and financing. Pilot facilities as means to boost business from circular economy are included in both the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Programme and the update of the regional smart specialisation strategy. There is need to improve access of industry to pilot facilities by implementing new funding instruments to support piloting and open new calls which would support piloting and bioeconomy transformation and develop of new business ecosystems around Bioruukki piloting centre. Lessons learned from the interregional learning within the project Within Smart Pilots project Bio based Pilot plant presented good practice for Innovation voucher to SME s within the Interreg North West Europe Region. SMEs were offered technological support by Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant through innovation vouchers up to EURO. Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is an open

12 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 12 of 17 access independent, state-of-the-art pilot and demo infrastructure that helps innovators to bring their process or technology from a laboratory level to an industrial relevant context. This allows the innovator to establish the data required to assess the techno economics of the technology, to perform life cycle analysis. The SmartPilots consortium also expressed the need to add an interregional dimension to these voucher systems. SMEs should be able to get expertise outside of their own region, if this expertise is what they need. To serve companies of the regions towards pilot facilities not available in the own region, the possibility has been discussed to open regional voucher schemes to include recognition of knowledge institutes outside the own region. Currently in Finland there are no voucher schemes to support piloting. Good practise presented in SmartPilots inspired VTT and Helsinki Uusimaa region therefore we will present proposal to Business Finland - Finnish innovation agency about possibility to increase voucher scheme for SMEs from 5000 to and include interregional possibilities to the voucher system. Catapult centres, a network of world-leading centres designed to transform high potential ideas into new products and services to generate economic growth. (link to Good practice: Value of Catapult Centres) Catapults are not-for-profit, independent physical centres which connect businesses with the UK s research and academic communities. Each Catapult centre specialises in a different area of technology, with all the centres offering open access state-of-the-art facilities and expertise to enable businesses and researchers to collaboratively solve key problems and develop new products and services on a commercial scale. Catapult centres are there for all businesses large and small looking to undertake late stage research and development and commercialise their product or process. VTT and Helsinki Uusimaa region will organise a workshop for companies to clarify service and technology platform needs to transform high potential ideas into new biobased products and services within Helsinki-Uusimaa region. Within the study visits in SmartPilots period one BBEPP showed that co-operation wand launching training center provides added value in developing business ecosystem around piloting centres. Study visit in Fraunhofer pilot facility demonstrated importance to collaborate with cluster organisations to develop service platforms and benefits of having multidisciplinary piloting infrastructures within piloting facility. Together with the City of Espoo and Helsinki Uusimaa Region, VTT wants to build business ecosystem for bio and circular economy solutions. Bioruukki Piloting Centre aims to be the leading cleantech innovation hotspot for sustainable bioand circular economy in Finland and globally. The mission is to create an open, dynamic, multi-actor ecosystem for business, research and education around VTT s Bioruukki Pilot Centre site. 2. Action description Influence new call topis for ERDF current program to increase funding possibilities for bioeconomy and piloting. Present good and concrete examples of voucher schemes and a proposal to Business Finland - Finnish innovation agency about possibility to increase voucher scheme for SMEs from 5000 to Organise workshop for companies to inform them about funding options for piloting and new services platforms development to create common

13 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 13 of 17 understanding about means to implement SmartPilots good practises in Finland. Interview pilot plant users about service platform needs within Helsinki- Uusimaa region. Build business ecosystem around Bioruukki piloting centre o connect the relevant actors and get them committed and possibly sign a letter of intent o plan needed actions to implement business ecosystem together with relevant stakeholders o consider possible financing o prepare funding application to develop Bioeconomy service and education platform Launch a new green chemistry service platform for SME s and other clients. 3. Players involved 1. Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council, which is also the intermediate body for the ERDF funds in Southern Finland. 2. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, pilot plant owner 3. City of Espoo, development of business and innovation ecosystem around Bioruukki 4. Business Finland the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation. It provides funding for R&D&I and loans for market entry activities. 5. Pilot infrastructure users (companies) 6. Educational Institutes 4. Timeframe Ongoing Costs Meeting costs & Staff costs of participating organisations 6. Funding sources VTT s own funding and Helsinki Uusimaa Region 7. Programme management related implications 8. Expected impact and results of the policy improvement 9. How will the implementation of this action be monitored Involvement of local relevant stakeholders Implementation of the programmes Monitoring and follow up Bio and circular economy and/or piloting are included into upcoming calls New funding models to support companies piloting activities Development of Bioruukki business and innovation ecosystem o New clients to Bioruukki pilot facility o New services created (Bioruukki) o Involving the educational aspects in the ecosystem. Number of the strategies guiding the regional developing and financing influenced Number of new funding calls with focus of Bioeconomy and piloting. Number of new funding models to support companies to use SPFs Number of new Bioruukki clients Letter of intent signed for developing Bioruukki ecosystem

14 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 14 of Monitoring activities The monitoring of the implementation of this action plan will be done within the work of VTT and Helsinki- Uusimaa Regional Council. We will make a record of the results of these indicators and present it in the project meetings. VTT will also prepare final monitoring report by the end of Phase 2. Table below present how implementation of the Action 1.Improving access of industry and other users to open technology infrastructures and support development of new business ecosystems will be monitored. Action 1. Improving access of industry and other users to open technology infrastructures and support development of new business ecosystems Action item Indicator How Who Influence new call topis for ERDF current program to increase funding possibilities for bioeconomy and piloting. Number of strategies guiding the regional development in terms of Bioeconomy and piloting priorities Number of new Calls with focus on Bioeconomy and piloting. Number and total budget of new projects with focus on Bioeconomy and piloting Decision Record Record Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council Development of Bioruukki Business and Innovation Ecosystem Number of new Bioruukki clients Letter of intent signed by core partners for developing Bioruukki ecosystem Number of funding applications to develop Bioeconomy service and education platform submitted A new Green Chemistry service platform for SME s and other clients launched Record Decision Record Press release VTT VTT VTT VTT

15 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 15 of Endorsement of the action plan Helsinki Uusimaa region has actively participated to SmartPilots project and supported VTT in regional analysis. Within this project we have established good working relationship with the intermediate body of ERDF in Helsinki Uusimaa. Already in the support letter of this project, Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council has committed to consider possibilities to implement action plan through the policy instrument (please see support letter in the appendix).

16 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 16 of 17 Appendix: Helsinki-Uusimaa support letter for SmartPilots project

17 Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Action Plan Page 17 of 17