INNOFINLAND 2005: Creativity as developer of work and entrepreneurship

INNOFINLAND Prizes of the President of the Republic 2005

The national INNOFINLAND Prizes of the President of the Republic 2005 were awarded for the 12th time at the main awards ceremony in the INNOHOUSE of the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland on the National Innovation Day on 29 November 2005.

Five equal national INNOFINLAND Prizes of the President of the Republic and three honourable mentions were presented. The prizewinners received an INNOFINLAND statuette and an honorary diploma.

The theme for 2005 was ‘Creativity as developer of work and entrepreneurship’ which has make known good practices and examples of companies where creativity is appreciated and considered as a condition for the success of the company. At the same time, the innovations and opportunities in the service sector were highlighted.

INNOFINLAND 2005 received 195 entries from all provinces, from Åland to Lapland. The provinces of Satakunta, South Karelia, Kymenlaakso and Åland were particularly active participants.

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen together with the Chairman of the INNOFINLAND Jury, President of the NBPR Martti Enäjärvi and the Chairman of the INNOFINLAND Working Committee, Executive Director Juha Jutila presented the national INNOFINLAND Prize 2005 to the following businesses:

The honourable mentions went to

Purpose and background organisations of INNOFINLAND

The purpose of the INNOFINLAND Project is to promote creativity, skill and entrepreneurial spirit in Finland in a practical and creative way in order to improve opportunities to increase well-being nationally.

INNOFINLAND was established in 1994. President of the Republic acts as patron of the project. The national INNOFINLAND Prizes are awarded, both regionally and nationally, each year as an acknowledgement of and encouragement for innovative entrepreneurship. The prize can be awarded to businesses, organisations or persons whose ideas, inventions or innovations significantly have promoted creativity, entrepreneurship, co-operation and employment in Finland.

The organisers of INNOFINLAND consist of a wide range of influential bodies in Finnish business life: Confederation of Finnish Industries, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Foundation for Finnish Inventions, Central Chamber of Commerce of Finland, National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland, Finnish National Fund for Research and Development (Sitra), Jobs & Society in Finland, Federation of Finnish Enterprises, National Technology Agency of Finland (Tekes), Employment and Economic Development Centres (T&E Centres), Ministry of Labour, Finnish Regional Councils, educational establishments and other organisations supporting innovative activities.

INNOINT and INNOSCHOOL

In addition to the INNOFINLAND Prizes, the National Innovation Day ceremony on 29 November 2005 includes the presentation of the annual prizes in the INNOINT Invention Contest for Conscripts and the INNOSCHOOL Innovation Event for school pupils.

Further details of the prizewinners are available from

  • Chairman of the INNOFINLAND Working Committee, Mr Juha Jutila, tel. +358 (0)20 737 3007, e-mail: juha.jutila@keksintosaatio.fi
  • INNOFINLAND Project Manager, Mr Timo Suokas, tel. +358 (0)9 6939 5308, mob +358 (0)40 772 1733, e-mail: timo.suokas@prh.fi
  • INNOFINLAND Project Secretary, Ms Leena Puolimatka, tel. +358 (0)9 6939 5239, mob +358 (0)40 546 0125, e-mail: leena.puolimatka@prh.fi