The growth and innovation platform of the new Hippos is advancing through strong collaboration
The growth and innovation platform being developed for the new Hippos center in Jyväskylä is being advanced by the strategic group of the core network for physical activity, health promotion and wellbeing, as well as through networking forums of sector actors. The focus is on promoting cooperation between research and business and accelerating innovation.
The strategic group, which met on April 22, convened for the second time specifically to work on the development of this innovation platform. Key themes and needs identified for the Hippos innovation platform include measuring and utilizing data for the needs of different actors and as a business platform, securing funding, identifying commercial solutions and creating new opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation. The strategic group includes key companies in the sector, developers, higher education institutions and RDI actors.
- Hippos is an important part of the Jyväskylä model currently under preparation when considering how to grow business and startups in Jyväskylä. With this investment, we want to increase the opportunities and attractiveness offered by an international hub of expertise and innovation, as well as create new business and development activities for companies. Through Hippos, Jyväskylä’s role as a capital of sport will also be strengthened, said Ari Tolonen, Deputy Mayor of Business Development and Employment for the City of Jyväskylä, at the strategic group meeting.
Several years of collaboration form the foundation for the new Hippos
- Around the new Hippos, a strong hub for sport, business and growth is being built, along with an active and functional ecosystem. Even if a company is not physically located at Hippos, it can still participate in the ecosystem in co-development and in creating shared added value. However, locating there is also worth considering, especially since there is still some space available in the skills center, explains Taija Lappeteläinen, Programme Manager for the Physical Activity, Health Promotion and Wellbeing theme at the City of Jyväskylä.
Hippos is set to become the heart of elite sports, wellbeing, research and innovation in the field, strengthening Jyväskylä’s vitality and its role as a sports capital also internationally.
This article is part of the innovation ecosystem work of the Business Development Services of the City of Jyväskylä. We are carrying out ecosystem work with the support of public funding and within the framework of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment's ecosystem agreement in 2021-2027, together with universities and other developers in the region. Funding is provided by the Regional Council of Central Finland (ERDF funding).
