Jamk Embarks on Global Collaboration for Sustainable Food and Agritech

Jamk Embarks on Global Collaboration for Sustainable Food and Agritech

The Jamk Institute of Bioeconomy at Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences has joined international networks for sustainable food production and agrotechnology: the Nordic Testbed Network, EIT Food, and Ventures Thrive. Through these networks, Jamk will be recognized globally as an attractive RDI partner, a high-quality bioeconomy educator, developer, and business accelerator.

The Nordic Testbed Network aims to support the digital transformation of bioeconomy in the Nordic and Baltic regions. The network consists of high-level, specialized testing environments that, through collaboration, increase knowledge and expertise across the region. https://nordictestbednetwork.se/

The EIT Food network is the world's largest community for food innovation, with participants from 48 countries. This network, focused on Europe and supported by the EU, connects stakeholders across the entire food system to promote the advancement of the food value chain. Its goal is to build an innovative and sustainable food system that promotes consumer and environmental well-being. https://www.eitfood.eu/

The Ventures Thrive ecosystem supports collaboration between startup companies, corporations and investors. The goal is to lower barriers for deeptech companies to bring products to market through funding, growth programmes, as well as investor and corporate networks. https://www.venturesthrive.eu/

Though these memberships Jamk Institute of Bioeconomy, Bioeconomy business accelerator BioBoosters and the Finnish Future Farm center of excellence bring their strong testbed environments and models to these networks.

BioBoosters by Jamk encourages and supports companies in creating new business and developing solutions related to bio-circular economy and agrotechnology. The call is currently open for startup companies in bioeconomy and agritech to join the BioBoosters accelerator programme, which connects the startups and growth companies with end-users, investors, and corporate partners.

"With these networks, we become part of international networks for sustainable food production and agritech. In practice, this means networking and collaboration with international startup companies, corporations, accelerators, investors, and RDI actors working in this field," says Annimari Lehtomäki, Chief Specialist at Jamk Institute of Bioeconomy. "The networks open avenues for startup companies participating in the accelerator program to international partnerships and customers, as well as new channels to market our activities and expertise internationally."

The Finnish Future Farm project aims to develop the Bioeconomy Campus in Tarvaala, Saarijärvi, into a center of excellence and meeting place for top companies in smart agriculture. Achieving the climate-neutral goals of the European Union requires the widespread adoption of new precision farming technologies. In collaboration with partner companies such as Valtra, AGCO Power, and Neste, solutions related to emission reduction are being tested and co-created. Jamk and Poke experts and students, along with strong collaboration with the city of Saarijärvi, farmers, and stakeholders, are supporting this initiative.

"In these excellent networks, we can showcase the co-creation environment of the Bioeconomy Campus, both the physical Smart Farm and its Digital Twin. This will attract new partners to our activities," says Hannu Haapala, Lead Researcher at Jamk Institute of Bioeconomy. " Participation in European project preparations and consortia will elevate to new heights through our involvement in these networks."