KEIKKA — Utilisation Path of Innovations
Building the foundations for health sector innovation in North Savo.
KEIKKA (2025–2027) creates practical structures for turning health sector ideas into usable solutions. We connect the needs of healthcare with research expertise and business capability at the Wellbeing Services County of North Savo.
What we do
Innovation workshops — Co-development sessions to work on real challenges.
Innovation platform (in development) —A channel for submitting ideas and development proposals, with a clear path from idea to evaluation.
Innovation competitions — Two competitions during the project, matching real healthcare needs with solutions from regional and international partners.
From researcher to innovator — A growth path with guidance, tools and connections for researchers moving towards practical application.
Innovation procurement — Mapping and promoting new ways for the public sector to adopt innovations.
Who is this for?
Wellbeing Services County staff — You see the daily reality of healthcare. If you have an idea for how things could work better, we want to hear about it.
Researchers — If your work has potential for practical application in health or social services, we can help you explore the next steps.
Residents and clients — Your experience matters. We are building a way for you to bring your ideas forward.
Innovation support in the region
You don't have to do it alone. These organisations offer support for developing ideas, building businesses and commercialising innovations in North Savo:
Spark Finland: A mentoring programme for turning academic and clinical discoveries into viable products. Two-year programme with expert mentors, business education and access to networks. Active in Kuopio through the University of Eastern Finland.
For more information contact irina.lavikainen@uef.fi
Business Center Pohjois-Savo: Business coaching, innovation clinics and support from idea to company. Open to anyone — from first-time inventors to established companies looking to grow.
Kuopio Health: The regional health and life science ecosystem. Connects companies, research organisations and public sector actors in health technology development.
Get in touch
Whether you have a concrete idea, a question, or want to explore how your work connects to what we are building, feel free to reach out.
About the project
KEIKKA is implemented by the Wellbeing Services County of North Savo (Clinical Research Centre), February 2025 – February 2027. The project responds to a regional and national need to strengthen RDI in the health sector. The aim is to develop a service process for commercialising ideas, build a functioning innovation ecosystem, and establish needs-driven development as a lasting practice.
Co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), administered by the South Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.
Partners: University of Eastern Finland · Savonia · City of Kuopio · Savo Consortium of Education · Business Center Pohjois-Savo · Spark · Kuopio Health
Contact
Project Manager Vesa Janhunen
Project Coordinator Sonja Reinikka
Contact us with firstname.surname (at) pshyvinvointialue.fi