Until now, companies operating in North Karelia have primarily focused their investments on improving their operations through automation and other conventional methods, while higher-tech solutions have remained untried. The calculation of the return on investment for technological solutions is seen as too abstract, making traditional capacity investments easier to justify. Development ideas that arise in the daily operations of companies often end up in the drawer because there are no low-threshold options to test their commercialization. Currently, there are no suitable funding instruments available for small-scale experiments that would allow ideas to be tested for commercialization at low risk. As a result, high-tech utilization is only accessible to larger companies. On the other hand, it is no longer possible to compete globally with just traditional technology; alongside the product or service, there must be something of superior added value offered to the customer compared to the products from low-cost manufacturing countries. Products coming from Asian low-cost production countries at least match domestic quality, so Finnish companies must develop the added value of their products through digital solutions to succeed in international markets. The Business from PoC´s - international growth by innovative technology pilots project aims to enhance the region’s competitiveness in two ways: 1) A model is being created in the region to increase ongoing communication and cooperation between businesses, educational institutions, research organizations, and service providers. Communication is made easy and continuous, allowing needs and supply to meet naturally. Practical experiments, or PoC (Proof of Concept) pilots, will demonstrate the importance of low-threshold trials for each organization and the entire community. The results of PoC pilots and other general technological knowledge will be actively shared at various events, encouraging other local companies to solve their challenges with technology. Ultimately, the PoC model aims to accelerate the initiation of actual production investments. 2) The project increases the skills and understanding of entrepreneurs in traditional industries regarding the possibilities of technology and cost-effective ways to implement it. The project aims to normalize the role of technology and dispel the prevailing "expensive & sci-fi" atmosphere surrounding it. In general events, the results of low-threshold experiments are presented, and practical, relatable examples are benchmarked — while connecting companies and experts. The project encourages companies to experiment with technological solutions and develop their product and service offerings with them. Additional ideas for technological development will also be sought from trade fairs and benchmarking activities. The project's actions will validate for all parties the necessity of low-threshold PoC trial opportunities for enabling product further development. • For companies: Low-threshold opportunities to test ideas that seem too large and bring new added value to the product. • For educational institutions: Affordable or free trials that can lead to paid further development needs — and provide meaningful and motivating assignments for students. • For commercial service providers: Ideas proven to be commercially viable will bring high-tech demand and expertise to the region. • For development companies: There is a wide network of technology experts and ready-made solutions available to solve the development needs emerging at the business interface. The measures will be carried out in the most understandable manner and with methods that can be widely and generally used. The main goals are specifically to develop the cooperation between research, development, and innovation actors (RDI) and businesses in North Karelia, and to lower the innovation and investment threshold by offering low-threshold options for early-stage product development trials.
