What we do

Our objectives

Technology Academy Finland promotes scientific research and innovation to develop new technology which is based on humane values and has a positive impact on quality of life, and also forms of cooperation that support such achievements.

We support the adaptation and utilisation of scientific research that includes new technology and we attempt to influence societal change and discussion in areas that fall within the scope of the foundation's objectives. We award the biennial Millennium Technology Prize.

The Millennium Technology Prize

Every second year, the Technology Academy awards the Millennium Technology Prize, international recognition of technological innovation that improves the quality of human life and promotes sustainable development. We need solutions to global challenges such as the need for clean water and sustainable energy sources, and measures that slow the pace of climate change. Without innovation, success in meeting these challenges will be difficult or impossible to achieve.

Awards associated with the Prize total over one million euros. Finnish organizations, companies and the Finnish state established the Millennium Technology Prize in partnership to emphasise the role that technology plays in improving quality of life, and to highlight Finland's reputation for high technology.

The Prize has now been awarded four times, in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. The next Millennium Prize will be awarded in 2012.

The first Millennium Technology Prize was awarded to Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, in June 2004. Professor Shuji Nakamura won the second Prize in 2006 for his innovative development of LED lights, which consume far less energy than conventional lighting solutions. The third Prize was awarded to Professor Robert Langer in June 2008 for his development of innovative biomaterials for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration.The fourth Grand Prize went to Professor Michael Grätzel in June 2010 for his invention and development of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Further information: www.millenniumprize.fi

Partners of Technology Academy Finland

Millennium Technology Prize partners (total 16 companies)

• Main partners
  • Kemira, Neste Oil, Nokia, Outotec, Savcor, SEB
• Partners
  • FIM, Gasum, Halton, Lönnberg, Metso, Wärtsilä

Members of the Industry Advisory Council (total 30 companies)

• ABB, Botnia, Cargotec, Ekokem, Finnish Transport Agency, Fortum, Gasum, Helsingin Energia, Konecranes, Kemira, Kone, Larox, Lemminkäinen, Maxit, Metso, Neste Oil, Nokia, Outokumpu, Oxford Instruments Analytical, Philips Medical Systems MR Technologies, Pohjolan Voima, Posiva, Pöyry, Rautaruukki, Stora Enso, STX Europe, UPM, Vaisala, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Wärtsilä