The CleverHealth Network’s annual seminar (Scandic Grand Central Helsinki, February 3, 2026) brought together companies from our ecosystem, healthcare professionals, researchers, new and long-standing partners, and international guests to reflect on our shared journey thus far—and to look ahead to the next stage in developing data-driven and impactful healthcare.
The event highlighted concrete results from ecosystem collaboration as well as future opportunities. Eeva Salminen from Business Finland provided insights into the ecosystem’s impact and growth journey from 2017 to the present, while Virpi Rauta, the ecosystem lead from HUS, outlined the current state and future direction. CleverHealth Network has established itself as a significant innovation ecosystem and is now expanding both thematically and in terms of its partner base. In addition to several new companies, the network is also welcoming new wellbeing services counties, research institutes, and among others, the City of Helsinki.
Matti Bergendahl, CEO of HUS, delivered greetings from the HUS management, emphasizing the importance of innovation and international cooperation in addressing healthcare challenges. HUS has recently been selected as chair of the European University Hospitals Alliance (EUHA), which provides a strong foundation for further enhancing impactful European R&D collaboration.
The seminar featured ongoing projects and practical examples of how collaboration between HUS, companies, and research organizations enables the transition of innovations from pilot phase to practical implementation. New initiatives showcased included the AIMO (AI Models for Optimizing Treatment Outcomes) project portfolio, with HUS experts presenting related projects: Hanna Savolainen-Peltonen on the optimization of fertility treatment outcomes, Mikko Kytö on developing automated spirometry analysis for chronic respiratory disease management, and Ilkka Immonen on AI-assisted analysis in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Perttu Arkkila discussed a new innovative public procurement project (Feca-caps), aiming to develop the production equipment of fecal transplant capsules in Finland for clinical use.
International collaboration was a central theme throughout the event, with keynote presentations offering valuable perspectives from Rafael Navajo of Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Barcelona, and Rune Holdt of Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.
Discussion was further deepened in a panel discussion moderated by Päivi Sillanaukee from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, examining topics such as data utilization, the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing care, the adoption of new digital solutions, and the development of effective patient pathways. In addition to the keynote speakers, panelists included Pekka Kahri (HUS) and Miika Leminen (CGI). The panelists emphasized the importance of European and global collaboration, knowledge sharing, and developing common operational models. The discussions also highlighted digital sovereignty, ethical use of data, and the practical challenges of innovation in the complex healthcare environment.
In addition to the stage program, the annual seminar offered ample opportunities for networking and exchanging ideas among approximately 170 participants. Active discussions between healthcare professionals, company experts, researchers, investors and decision-makers reflected the strength of the CleverHealth Network ecosystem: combining the expertise of diverse stakeholders to solve shared challenges and create measurable value for patients and healthcare.
Our sincere thanks to all speakers, participants, and partners for a successful day—particularly our international guests, who enriched the discussions with new perspectives. Together, we are well positioned to advance to the next phase of the ecosystem.
