A unique event called the CERN Roadshow in Finland took place on 6 April 2017. Organised by the Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and CERN, the Roadshow brought together members of the CERN and HIP managements alongside experts from CERN in the fields of procurement, knowledge transfer and human resources, at the Aalto University Design Factory in Otaniemi, Finland.

The Roadshow was targeted at potential CERN business and R&D&I partners, career service professionals and other Finnish stakeholders in CERN. Its main goal was to present to the local community the numerous business, educational, knowledge transfer, job and traineeship opportunities that CERN has to offer.

Finland has long traditions and established competences in natural sciences, high technology field research and the associated industrial activities. Finnish scientists, companies and students have been successfully working with CERN since the ratification of Finland’s membership in 1991. During the event, industrial companies such as Advacam, Lightneer, Luvata and Mirion Technologies presented their experience of doing business and co-innovating with CERN.

Charlotte Warakaulle, Director of International Relations at CERN, took part in one of the highlights of the event – the launch of Lightneer Ltd’s physics learning game.

The Roadshow was attended by representatives of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Academy of Finland, and the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation. Fruitful meetings between 51 company executives from 42 high tech field companies, university career councillors and directors from 23 universities yielded many initiatives for future collaboration.

Encouraged by the positive feedback from the participants, the event organisers are already preparing for Finland @ CERN, a similar meeting that will take place from 1 to 3 November 2017 at IdeaSquare and the Globe of Science and Innovation, as part of Finland’s centenary celebration year.