European development agencies assembled in Jyväskylä on 22–24 April – regional companies showcasing their expertise

News - Published 21.4.2015

The meeting of the European Association of Development Agencies (EURADA) assembles development agencies from all over Europe to Jyväskylä on 22–24 April 2015. Arranged under the themes of eco-innovations, bioeconomy and resource-smartness, the meeting attracts attendees from 14 different countries. 24 companies from central Finland will showcase their expertise to the representatives of the development agencies to seek new business connections. The meeting is organised by the Jyväskylä Regional Development Company Jykes Ltd and the City of Jyväskylä.

The Jyväskylä region has gained good reputation among European experts as a pioneer in environmental expertise. This view is also supported by Christian Saublens, Executive Manager of EURADA, who says that the members of EURADA see Jyväskylä as a region that has succeeded in developing and upgrading its business models. The visitors will be given a presentation of the Kangas area and the future Metsä Fibre bio-product plant. Attending the meeting will also be representatives of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra to give a presentation of the Finnish bio-economy strategy and resource wisdom.

“The development agencies have a good knowledge of the companies, educational institutes and other networks of their respective regions and contacts already in place. An entrepreneur attending the EURADA meeting will at once get a direct contact to a large number of potential customers and partners. With foreign visitors, the message will be widely disseminated and may open new business opportunities. Up-to-date market information will also be available. This is an easy way to internationalise in Jyväskylä,” says Satu Freyberg, Director of Internationalisation Services at Jykes.

The showcased companies from the Jyväskylä region represent the environmental, energy and ICT sectors, among others. Pinpointing new business opportunities, the development agencies may serve as enablers between companies, institutes of education and political actors, among others.

“The meeting provides companies with an excellent opportunity to expand their international network and to learn from the best practices employed in Europe. We also provide companies with an elevator pitch training in English to help them to effectively sell their expertise. The training is also of use in view of the companies’ international operations at large,” says Freyberg.

Jykes has for quite some time been an active member of EURADA that has more than hundred development agencies from all over Europe as its members. Through EURADA, companies in the region were provided with an advance opportunity to seek information and networks with the help of the visitors coming to Jyväskylä. The meeting will also be attended by representatives from Jyväskylä’s sister cities Kunming, China and Potsdam, Germany. The meeting will assemble more than 80 attendees.

Follow the discussion related to the event on Twitter using the hashtag #euradajkl.

Further information:
– Satu Freyberg, Director, Internationalisation Services, Jyväskylä Regional Development Company Jykes Ltd, tel. +358 (0)400 966 112, satu.freyberg@jykes.fi
– Pirkko Korhonen, Reaserch and Development Manager, City of Jyväskylä, tel. +358 (0)14 266 1593, pirkko.korhonen@jkl.fi

Jyväskylä Regional Development Company Jykes Ltd
Media Release 21 April 2015