The Innovation Ecosystem for Good Health and Wellbeing will be Initiated in Kainuu
On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the Kohti uutta hyvinvointia – Innovaatioekosysteemin avaus (Towards New Wellbeing – Innovation Ecosystem Launch) event will bring together the future ecosystem’s participants, from companies and communities to individual experts.
The initiation of Innovation Ecosystem for Good Health and Wellbeing has begun in Kainuu. Kainuu’s Innovation Ecosystem for Good Health and Wellbeing is a network of organisations and companies working together to develop new, innovative solutions to promote health and wellbeing for the people of Kainuu.
– The innovation ecosystem brings together public and private actors to promote innovations and create not only wellbeing but also vitality for the region. In the social and healthcare sector, promoting and developing innovation activities is also highly significant, says Project Manager Kirsi Meriläinen from Kajaani University of Applied Sciences.
The initiation of the innovation ecosystem will be launched through the INSPIS – Innovative Social and Healthcare Services through an Innovation Ecosystem project, which will create a knowledge-based preliminary structure for the ecosystem.
– We invite actors to join already in the early stages, to bring their resources and participate in the development work. We are not offering a ready-made innovation ecosystem, it will develop through cooperation among the participants, Meriläinen emphasises.
Core Focus: Sharing Knowledge and Collaborating on Innovations
The Kainuu’s Innovation Ecosystem for Good Health and Wellbeing will focus particularly on promoting good health and wellbeing. The ecosystem’s core lies in the needs of current social and healthcare service providers.
– Companies and other organisations can bring solutions to these needs. Through joint discussions and collaborative development, we can renew practices and services. Finding new approaches can also lead to cost savings, in addition to strengthening the region and creating conditions for the wellbeing of Kainuu residents, says Meriläinen.
The innovation ecosystem will consist of public organisations, the third sector, and companies — actors and experts who see their role in jointly developing innovations.
– The innovation ecosystem offers opportunities to find partners and participate in discussions. It also offers information and events, and an access to get closer to development needs. You can get more information about the Kainuu’s Innovation Ecosystem for Good Health and Wellbeing from our website or by taking part in our upcoming event, Meriläinen adds.
Ideas in Motion at the Kick-off Event
The Kohti uutta hyvinvointia – Innovaatioekosysteemin avaus (Towards New Wellbeing – Innovation Ecosystem Launch) will be held on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 at 12.30–16.00 at Kampussydän, Kajaani campus. In addition to a joint ideation workshop, the event will feature inspiring speeches. Speakers include Outi Forsström, Project Manager from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and Minna Komu, Network Director from BusinessOulu.
– At the event, you can learn about innovation ecosystems, network with different actors, and present your innovative ideas to be advanced within the ecosystem. The ideas and thoughts that emerge will help the INSPIS project direct future actions and you might even find a potential partner to help advance your ideas. You are warmly welcome, says Meriläinen.
Registration for the event is open until Monday, 16 March 2026. Participation is free of charge, and the event is open to all interested parties.
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences is implementing the European Union co-funded INSPIS – Innovative Social and Healthcare Services through an Innovation Ecosystem project in cooperation with the Wellbeing services county of Kainuu.
More information:
Project Manager Kirsi Meriläinen, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, kirsi.merilainen@kamk.fi, +358 40 509 6570 (available from 16 March 2026)
Project Specialist Kirsi Moisanen, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, kirsi.moisanen@kamk.fi, +358 44 710 1276
