HHFIN Partner: Kuopio Health

A Strategic Player in Digital Healthcare

Kuopio Health, nestled in the heart of Finland, is a vibrant and innovative community of businesses, healthcare experts, researchers, and visionaries. This collaborative space is united with a shared passion for improving global health, wellbeing, and nutrition.

The role of Kuopio Health in the HealthHub Finland EDIH (HHFIN) is to provide access to the local expertise. This expertise consists of health-related services from University of Eastern Finland (UEF) and Savonia University of Applied Sciences, through their service brands DigiCenter North Savo and Kuopio Living Lab.

Kuopio Health Services

Kuopio area offers a wide variety of test services for health and wellbeing. For example, UEF excels in integrating advanced AI solutions to diverse products to elevate businesses for global markets. They also have a dedicated research environment for measurement of human movement and biosignals, and many other test laboratories. Savonia provides HHFIN customers with excellent testing environments for XR development, 3D printing, and electromagnetic compliance.

The members of Kuopio Health comprise a diverse mix of organizations. These include innovative startups, established companies, academic institutions, research entities, and healthcare providers. Together, they form a collaborative network dedicated to advancing health, wellbeing, and nutrition, leveraging their varied expertise and resources to foster growth and innovation in these fields. This community offers wide possibilities for networking and identification of opportunities. These opportunities can be accessed for example through EDIH supported events Kuopio Health Insights, Tahko Ski Lift Pitch, and many more.

Expert Interview

Development Manager Kimmo Solehmainen discusses Kuopio Health’s role in HealthHub Finland EDIH (HHFIN) and what support Kuopio Health offers to local businesses.

What excites you the most in the HHFIN project?

A good question, since this indeed is exciting! Helping the SMEs advance their business potential by concrete development work is truly inspiring. In this role, I have the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between research organizations’ expertise and SMEs’ business requirements, aligning perfectly with one of Kuopio Health’s core missions.

What was your organizations motivation to join the HHFIN consortium?

Participating in HealthHub Finland allows Kuopio Health to leverage HealthHub Finland’s resources, expertise, and connections in digital healthcare, aligning with Kuopio Health’s mission to advance global health through open innovation and collaboration.

What are your future expectations of the HHFIN project and where do you see HHFIN in the future?

The goal is to develop HealthHub Finland into a well-known and recognised source for digitalization services, which makes a difference for all SMEs using its resources. It is expected that the partners will continue developing an extensive, a transparent, and easily accessible service portfolio. This would be a one of a kind among diversive R&D&I actors, consisting of universities, local business development providers, and innovation ecosystems.

How did your organization begin its journey of providing services to support the development of digital healthcare solutions? What inspired your mission in this area?

Kuopio Health were inspired by the need to address complex health challenges through innovative approaches. Combining the region’s expertise in health, technology, and research, Kuopio Health aimed to create a collaborative ecosystem. This platform not only supports the development of digital healthcare solutions but also fosters cooperation among businesses, researchers, and healthcare providers, thus enhancing health and well-being both locally and globally.

As a non-profit innovation ecosystem development company, what unique strengths and resources do you offer to digital healthcare companies?

Kuopio Health provides an access to the spearhead expertise of integrating advanced AI solutions, measurement of human movement and biosignals, as well as testing environments for XR development, 3D printing, and electromagnetic compliance.

What types of digital healthcare projects or companies do you typically collaborate with? How do you adapt your services to meet their specific needs and challenges?

We have been helping companies that have had a need to develop their product or service by digital means but have had limitations in terms of money and or expertise. In addition, we have helped companies to meet investors. The service has been either tailored for a SME in question, or common to a wider group of companies, depending on the needs and what is practical in each situation.

Can you share a specific example of how your services have contributed to the success of a digital healthcare project or company in the past? What outcomes were achieved?

Of course! Here are two recent examples from our work in the HealthHub Finland EDIH project:

ThingLink Collaboration: In partnership with the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio Health, ThingLink aimed to overcome the ‘blank page syndrome’ many inexperienced content creators faced when developing interactive healthcare learning materials. We helped ThingLink develop an AI-assisted functionality for their Scenario Builder, allowing users to easily convert traditional text materials into engaging, interactive courses. This innovation has significantly reduced the time and effort required to create high-quality training materials, providing templates and recommendations that improve both efficiency and engagement. The healthcare sector benefited from more immersive training, improving knowledge retention and skills development.

Wellpro Impact Solutions and BitHabit: We worked with Wellpro to enhance their BitHabit wellness tool by developing a conversational AI-based virtual assistant. This AI assistant offers personalized, real-time support on health and well-being, helping users incorporate healthy habits into their daily lives through natural language interactions. The result was increased user engagement and satisfaction, as well as improved health outcomes, such as better sleep patterns and increased physical activity. These enhancements made BitHabit more interactive and supportive, creating a more impactful user experience and driving positive changes in public health.

Can you share an inspiring story of how your organization’s support has significantly impacted the growth or development of a digital healthcare solution, positively affecting patient outcomes or healthcare accessibility?

One inspiring example is our collaboration with Wellpro Impact Solutions on their BitHabit wellness tool. BitHabit faced challenges in sustaining long-term user engagement and providing personalized experiences across diverse demographics. Through the HealthHub Finland EDIH project, we helped Wellpro develop a conversational AI-based virtual assistant that offers personalized, real-time support on health, fitness, and well-being. This assistant guides users towards healthier lifestyles through natural language interactions, making health advice more accessible and encouraging more consistent engagement.

While it is still early to draw firm conclusions, the early feedback has been very promising. While we do not yet have concrete data, the potential for improved health behaviours, such as increased physical activity and better sleep patterns, is evident due to the convenience and personalization offered by the virtual assistant. These enhancements have made BitHabit more interactive and supportive, creating a more engaging user experience. As further improvements to the user interface and experience are underway, we are optimistic that BitHabit will continue to positively affect healthcare accessibility and patient outcomes in the future. The feedback we have received so far has been encouraging, with many users expressing optimism about the assistant’s potential to help them take meaningful steps towards a healthier lifestyle. We are cautiously optimistic that, as the product matures, these changes will translate into lasting health benefits.

What future expansions or initiatives do you envision for your services in the digital healthcare domain? How do you plan to continue making a meaningful difference in the industry?

Looking to the future, Kuopio Health is committed to supporting the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the health and wellbeing sector. One of our key initiatives is to identify and utilize new business opportunities in public procurement through collaboration and the formation of business groups. Through our plans, we aim to provide SMEs with the tools and support needed to navigate public procurement markets, which are often challenging for smaller companies. By fostering collaboration and forming business groups, we help companies tackle these challenges together.

We are leveraging digital tools to facilitate this collaboration, ensuring that SMEs have better access to opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to pursue. Our vision is to create an environment where SMEs can easily connect with each other, share knowledge, and find synergies that enable them to grow and succeed both locally and internationally. This focus on enhancing competitiveness through collaboration and digital transformation will ensure that our impact on the digital healthcare landscape continues to be meaningful and far-reaching.

How do you stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in the digital healthcare industry to ensure the services you offer remain relevant and effective?

We stay updated through several key activities:

• Working groups: One of our main services is operating working groups for our innovation ecosystem members. Currently, we facilitate two working groups: 1) a data working group and 2) an RDI cooperation working group. These groups focus on the latest trends, solutions, products, innovations, and methods, which keeps our community abreast of the newest developments.

• Development and networking projects: We actively participate in development and networking projects at local, national, and international levels. These projects provide us with insights into emerging technologies, trends, and innovations in digital healthcare.

• Events: We organize events and participate in events hosted by others. These gatherings allow us to engage with industry experts, learn about the latest advancements, and stay connected with the broader healthcare innovation ecosystem.

Our key priorities include identifying and sharing real-world challenges, driving agile adoption of existing solutions, fostering an open innovation culture, improving infrastructure and clinical accessibility, advancing expertise through training and knowledge sharing, and excelling in communication. These priorities help us stay focused on current needs and future developments in digital healthcare, ensuring our services are both relevant and impactful.

Data security and compliance are crucial in the healthcare sector. How do you address these concerns in your service offerings, especially considering the sensitive nature of healthcare data?

Data security and compliance are top priorities for us, and they are key themes in our data working group. Through this group, we work closely with our innovation ecosystem members to discuss, develop, and implement best practices in data protection and compliance. This includes staying updated on the latest regulations, such as GDPR and the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and ensuring that our partners have the tools and knowledge needed to handle healthcare data responsibly. Additionally, we collaborate with experts in data security to support our members in adopting secure solutions that meet both legal and ethical standards.

In our projects, we focus on promoting the strategic use of health data, identifying opportunities for health data-driven innovation, and bringing visibility to available health data sources. Our expertise lies in networking and ecosystem coordination, where we facilitate collaborations, highlight best practices, and support our members in understanding how to leverage health data responsibly, without directly handling sensitive healthcare information ourselves. By creating connections and offering guidance, we ensure that our ecosystem members are well-positioned to navigate data security and compliance challenges effectively. By facilitating access to expert knowledge and providing a collaborative platform through the working group, we help ensure that our community remains vigilant and compliant with evolving security standards.

How do you ensure that your services remain accessible and affordable for digital healthcare startups or smaller companies with limited budgets?

We ensure that our services are accessible and affordable to digital healthcare startups and smaller companies through two main approaches:

• Reasonable membership fees: Kuopio Health membership fees are designed to be very reasonable, allowing healthcare startups and smaller companies to access our services at an affordable cost. This ensures that even those with limited budgets can benefit from the expertise and opportunities available within our ecosystem.

• Public funding: We actively seek public funding to support our activities and services, ensuring that we can continue offering high-quality support without passing excessive costs onto our members. By leveraging these funding sources, we can provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and guidance to our members while keeping financial barriers low.

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For digital healthcare companies aiming to innovate, scale, and make meaningful impacts, partnering with HealthHub Finland EDIH and Kuopio Health provides access to expertise, resources, and a supportive ecosystem dedicated to advancing global health. Thanks to public funding, through HealthHub Finland EDIH the partners are able to offer services for free or discounted up to 80%.

Contact our business advisors and learn how we can support your company.

The EDIH initiative is co-funded by the European Union and Business Finland.

Disclaimer:

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”