INNOFINLAND 2002 prizes of the President of the Republic

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen has presented the INNOFINLAND 2002 awards. The prize ceremony was held in the INNOHOUSE of the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland, Helsinki on Tuesday 19 November, 2002.This year the awards were handed out to the following five companies:

ARVO-TEC OY from Huutokoski was awarded for fish farming in a re-circulating water system where water oxidation, aeration, nitrification, i.e. biological filtration, and mechanical purification take place in a closed water circulation system. Arvo-Tec's core know-how areas are an in-depth knowledge of fish feeding technology and plant technology. The technologies enable more diverse fish production, increase production volumes and at the same time diminish nutrient load in waters.

CODETOYS OY from Espoo received the prize for its WIPEX service platform suitable for performing and distributing interactive mobile services. It enables world-wide distribution of mobile games independently of networks and terminals. It can also be combined with television games by using a mobile phone instead of a remote control device. The platform opens up new possibilities for conducting opinion polls and referendums.

LIEKKI OY from Lohja was awarded for a direct one-phase nanoparticle deposition method for the production of optical amplifier fibres. The recent development of the Internet and other forms of data transfer have drastically increased the need for optical amplifier fibres. Amplifiers are needed because, when a signal is being transferred, its strength diminishes as the length of path increases. The method invented by Liekki Oy is, in comparison with competing products, cheaper, more effective and of better quality.

OY AURINKOLEHTO LTD from Tohmajärvi was awarded for an innovation that makes large-scale production and preservation of birch sap possible. As a result of several years of research and development, the business couple Arto and Susanna Maaranen solved the problem of sap preservation two years ago by developing an innovative and unique high tech application.

STICK TECH OY from Turku received the prize for a fibre reinforcement for dental use, for example to be used in the making of dental crowns, bridges and removable dentures. The fibre enforcement is an affordable solution that also saves the patient's healthy teeth. For example, a missing tooth can be replaced by a bridge that is fastened through bonding so that healthy teeth need not be ground or drilled in the shape of pillars.

Purpose of the INNOFINLAND contest and its organisers

INNOFINLAND was established in 1994 and its patron is President of the Republic. The national INNOFINLAND prizes are awarded annually as a recognition for and an encouragement to a creditable and innovative entrepreneurship. The prize can be awarded to businesses or organisations, entrepreneurs or other persons whose ideas, inventions or innovations significantly have promoted creativity, entrepreneurship, cooperation and employment in Finland.

The organisers of INNOFINLAND consist of a wide range of influential bodies in business life: the Central Chamber of Commerce of Finland, the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers, the Federation of Finnish Enterprises, the Finnish National Fund for Research and Development Sitra, the Foundation for Finnish Inventions, Jobs & Society in Finland, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland, and the Technology Development Centre Tekes.

INNOINT and INNOSCHOOL

In addition to INNOFINLAND prizes, the national INNODAY ceremony on November 19, 2002 included the presentation of the annual prizes of the INNOINT innovation contest for conscripts and the INNOSCHOOL idea event for school children. More information on the prize-winners is available in the Internet site www.innosuomi.fi.

INNOFINLAND 2003

In connection with the prize-giving ceremony of the INNOFINLAND –project, also the operational theme for the next year was announced. It is Sustainable development through innovation.

Sustainable development means a social change that takes place globally and regionally and aims at ensuring good living conditions for future generations. It includes the overall recognition of economic, social and ecological factors.

Year 2003 is the tenth operational year of INNOFINLAND. The events during the year emphasise the theme, but any innovative company that operates within a field compatible with the contest rules can be awarded in the INNOFINLAND contest.

Additional information on the prize winners