The KnowledgeAnalytics (KA) project peer review (LAB 2024) offers a comprehensive analysis of five key areas vital for regional growth in health and well-being tech innovations: 1) knowledge transfer ecosystems, 2) business and science ecosystems, 3) financial, regulatory, and soft policy instruments, 4) evidence-based Innovation policy making, and 5) advanced analytics tools. This blog focuses on the first two areas, exploring how Päijät-Häme and LABWelltech (LWT) can strengthen knowledge transfer and better integrate business and science ecosystems to accelerate innovation.
Päijät-Häme has the potential to address key gaps and challenges by creating a comprehensive one-stop solution for health technology and well-being innovation. LWT (LAB Welltech 2024) emerges as a response to these findings, drawing inspiration from successful regional strategies in Catalonia and Wallonia (LAB 2024).
Catalonia’s TECNIO accreditation highlights the value of formalized structures for aligning research outputs with market needs, while Wallonia’s cluster networks demonstrate the power of targeted, sector-specific innovation. These examples underscored the need for structured coordination, integrated services, and a customer-centric approach in Päijät-Häme.
A new model for regional innovation?
LWT’s vision could build on KA peer review lessons, offering a seamless pathway for companies to navigate the complex innovation process. Unlike many competitors, which provide fragmented services, LWT could integrate testing, accreditation, validation, and commercialization into a unified framework. This comprehensive approach addresses businesses’ common pain points, including fragmented support and the burden of coordinating multiple service providers.
National players like VTT excel in technical testing and validation but lack strong support for accreditation, regulatory compliance, and strategic commercialization, roles filled by accredited bodies like Inspecta, SGS Finland, and Dekra Finland. Regional hubs like Helsinki Health Hub and Kuopio Health focus on business development and pilot projects but leave gaps in regulatory compliance and market entry strategies. LWT could differentiate itself by bridging these gaps through strategic partnerships, enabling businesses to transition efficiently from concept to market.
A health tech startup developing a wearable device could collaborate with LWT to validate usability, ensure MDR compliance, and craft a commercialization strategy. Acting as a single point of contact, LWT coordinates technical experts, regulatory bodies, and business development professionals, streamlining the process and enabling clients to focus on innovation instead of administrative hurdles.
By establishing LWT as a one-stop service provider, Päijät-Häme could lead health and wellbeing tech innovation. This model simplifies the innovation process for businesses while enhancing the region’s competitiveness on both national and international stages. Drawing from the KnowledgeAnalytics peer review, LWT embodies the principles of seamless coordination, comprehensive support, and customer-centric design.
The path forward lies in leveraging these insights to strengthen regional capabilities, attract new businesses, and create impactful solutions. With LWT at the center, Päijät-Häme is poised to unlock its full potential as a health and well-being technology innovation hub.
Author
Niko Lankinen is a chief specialist and KnowledgeAnalytics project lead at LAB University of Applied Sciences.
References
geralt. 2014. Altmann, G. Ohjelmisto, internet. Pixabay. Cited 19 Dec 2024. Available at https://pixabay.com/fi/illustrations/ohjelmisto-internet-luoti-http-www-557602/
LAB. 2024. Interreg Europe KnowledgeAnalytics: Peer Review Report: Insights on Regional Innovation Ecosystems. LAB University of Applied Sciences.
LAB Welltech. 2024. Enchancing Tomorrow’s Wellbeing. Cited 19 Dec 2024. Available at https://www.labwelltech.fi/eng/
