More than 170 high tech companies reside here, including giants like Nokia, Ericsson, Bosch and IBM, and dozens of start-ups and small software companies. More than 1,700 people work here, alongside 1,500 university and graduate students. The Center is best known for its collaborative model, stimulating interactions among the many tenants by providing common dining and conferencing areas and encouraging cross-fertilization of ideas. The advantages of this collaborative approach are clear. The amount of time needed for developing commercial applications for new innovations is reduced.
Networks quickly develop to support research and development projects.
The Center provides technical assistance at virtually every phase of the product development lifecycle. It supports the transition from basic research to applied research and product development. It helps researchers protect and finance inventions, launch new companies, conduct market research and find business partners for fledgling enterprises. The Center also houses service firms, consultant firms and scientific organizations. A model for Maine As Maine seeks to grow its knowledge-based economy, the Finnish model provides a roadmap of the elements needed for this transformation.