Technology Academy Finland

Technology Academy Finland (TAF) awards the global one-million-euro Millennium Technology Prize and runs associated events and initiatives.

The Millennium Technology Prize is the preeminent €1 million award focused on technological innovations for a better life. The winning innovations are scientifically rigorous, globally accessible, and uniquely significant in their field.

TAF’s agenda:

One of TAF’s strengths is the tripartite cooperation between industry, governmental organizations and the scientific community and its extensive network in all these sectors. The three sectors are also represented in the TAF Board and in the different committees.

TAF started operating under the name of the Finnish Technology Award Foundation in 2003. In 2005, the name changed to the Millennium Prize Foundation. The name was changed to the Technology Academy Finland in 2008.

TAF’s mission:

Technology Academy Finland (TAF) governs and develops the Millennium Technology Prize, increases public awareness of the Prize and ensures its high academic standard. TAF provides an international meeting ground for corporate life, academia and policymakers, and improves Finland’s position in the global community.

  • The Board ensures that the foundation’s activities are executed in a proper manner and that the organisation’s funds are invested in safe and appropriate ways. The Board is also responsible for appointing the foundation’s President and CEO and members of the Executive Committee.

    Founding organisations

    • In the picture Chair of the board of Technology Academy Finland Professor Minna Palmroth

      Minna Palmroth

      Chair of the board, Professor, University of Helsinki

    • Mikko Hupa, Chair of the Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in Finland STV

      Mikko Hupa

      The Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in Finland STV

    • In the picture member of the board of Technology Academy Finland, Marjo Matikainen-Kallström

      Marjo Matikainen-Kallström

      Representative of Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK

    • In the picture member of the board of Technology Academy Finland, Jarmo Hallikas

      Jarmo Hallikas

      The Finnish Foundation for Technology Promotion TES, Chair of the Delegation

    Trade and industry

    • In this picture is Board Member of Technology Academy Finland, Päivi Leiwo

      Päivi Leiwo

      Member of the Board Federation of Finnish Technology Industries

    • In the picture member of the board of Technology Academy Finland, Tapani Kiiski

      Tapani Kiiski

      Representative of the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries

    • In the picture member of the board of Technology Academy Finland, Marjo Miettinen

      Marjo Miettinen

      Member of the Board Confederation of Finnish Industries EK

    • In the picture member of the board of Technology Academy Finland, Annikka Hurme

      Annikka Hurme

      Representative of Confederation of Finnish Industries EK

    Government

    • In this picture is Board Member of Technology Academy Finland, Anita Lehikoinen

      Anita Lehikoinen

      Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Culture

    • In this picture is Board Member of Technology Academy Finland, Ilona Lundsröm

      Ilona Lundström

      Director General, Ministry of Employment and the Economy

    • In this picture is Board Member of Technology Academy Finland, Nina Kopola

      Nina Kopola

      Director General, Business Finland

    • Jarkko Levasma, Director General, The Ministry of Finance, ICT Department

      Jarkko Levasma

      Government Chief Information Officer, Director General, Ministry of Finance

    Universities

    • Keijo Hämäläinen, Rector, University of Tampere

      Keijo Hämäläinen

      Rector, Tampere University

    • Rector Mikael Lindfelt, Åbo Akademi University

      Mikael Lindfelt

      Rector, Åbo Akademi University

    • Rector Sari Lindblom, University of Helsinki

      Sari Lindblom

      Rector, University of Helsinki

    • In this picture is Board Member of Technology Academy Finland, Jouko Niinimäki

      Jouko Niinimäki

      Rector, University of Oulu

    • In the picture Chair of the board of Technology Academy Finland Professor Minna Palmroth

      Minna Palmroth

      Chair of the board, Professor, University of Helsinki

    • Mikko Hupa, Chair of the Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in Finland STV

      Mikko Hupa

      The Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in Finland STV

    • In this picture is Board Member of Technology Academy Finland, Päivi Leiwo

      Päivi Leiwo

      Member of the Board Federation of Finnish Technology Industries

    Secretary

    Markku Ellilä, CEO, Technology Academy Finland

  • Chair

    • In the picture member of the board of Technology Academy Finland, Marjo Matikainen-Kallström

      Marjo Matikainen-Kallström

      Representative of Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK

    • Timo Leino

      Timo Leino

      LL.M., Chairman of the Board Linnea Capital Oy

    • In the picture member of the board of Technology Academy Finland, Marjo Miettinen

      Marjo Miettinen

      Member of the Board Confederation of Finnish Industries EK

    • Markku Ellilä

      Markku Ellilä

      CEO

  • Mission of the Committee is to identify and define the innovation branch in Finland and the most significant phenomena for it. The Committee aims to run a diverse discussion on the issue from different point of views in order that Technology Academy Finland for its part can promote the issue on a most prominent way for Finland.

    The Committee acts like a think tank, meetings are being held at least two times a year.

    Chair of the committee

    • Riikka Heikinheimo, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK

    Members

    Universities

    • Mika Hannula, University of Turku
    • Jouni Hirvonen, University of Helsinki
    • Markku Kivikoski, University of Tampere
    • Janne Laine, Aalto University
    • Jukka Mönkkönen, University of Eastern Finland
    • Risto Nieminen, Aalto University

    Trade and industry

    • Kim Fagerlund, Metso
    • Saara Hassinen, Federation of Finnish Technology Industries
    • Jaana Hyvärinen, Kone
    • Harri Junttila, Alma Talent
    • Hannu Kauppinen, Nokia
    • Lars Peter Lindfors, Neste
    • Petri Takala, Academic Engineers and Architects TEK
    • Hannu Talvitie, Vaisala
    • Pekka Tiitinen, ABB
    • Lenita Toivakka, International Chamber of Commerce

    Academies

    • Leni von Bonsdorff, The Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in Finland
    • Markku Ellilä, Technology Academy Finland
    • Markku Leskelä, Finnish Academy of Technical Sciences

    Public sector and decision makers

    • Mikko Dufva, Sitra
    • Erja Heikkinen, Ministry of Education and Culture
    • Mari Holopainen, Parliament of Finland
    • Ilona Lundström, Ministry of Employment and the Economy
    • Riitta Maijala, Academy of Finland
    • Antti Pelkonen,  Prime Minister’s Office
    • Päivi Sillanaukee, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
    • Heikki Uusi-Honko, Business Finland

    Secretary: Markku Ellilä, Technology Academy Finland

  • The Communication Committee’s mission is to highlight the importance of research, knowledge and innovation for the well-being and future development of society, and to promote Finland as a high-tech country. The members of the Committee represent Finnish Universities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sitra (the Finnish Innovation Fund), Business Finland, TEK (Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland), Healthtech Finland and the Millennium Technology Prize partner organisations.

    Chair of the Committee:

    • Saara Hassinen, CEO, Healthtech Finland, Federation of Finnish Technology Industries

    Members:

    • Thurid Eriksson, Director of Communications, Åbo Akademi University
    • Katrina Jurva, Head of Content and Media, Aalto University
    • Tuomas Koivula, Managing Editor, University of Turku
    • Liisa Kuvaja, Brand and Communications Director, LUT University
    • Risto Löf, Head of Communications, University of Eastern Finland
    • Marika Nygård, Head of Marketing, Tampere University
    • Johanna Pellinen, Communications Manager, University of Helsinki
    • Hanna-Mari Soini, Director of Marketing and Communications, University of Vaasa
    • Anna-Kaisa Säkkinen, Director of Communications, University of Jyväskylä
    • Ville Wittenberg, Science Communications Specialist, University of Oulu

    • Kaisa Antikainen, Communications Manager, Nokia
    • Johanna Fräki, Head of Open Innovation and Innovation Marketing, Neste
    • Jenni Hovi-Seppä, Marketing Manager, Alma Talent
    • Helena Marjaranta, VP, Communications & Brand, Metso Outotec
    • Mira Nupponen, Communications Manager, Kone
    • Satu Perälampi, Head of Country Communications, ABB
    • Tarja Österberg, Communications Manager, Vaisala

    • Markku Ellilä, CEO, Technology Academy Finland
    • Tomi Korhonen, Executive Director, Communications, Business Finland
    • Samuli Laita, Deputy Communications Manager, Sitra
    • Laura Manas, Communications Manager, Technology Academy Finland
    • Anna Oravakangas, Communications Specialist, Academy of Finland
    • Merina Salminen, Director of Communications, TEK
    • Kirsi Vanamo-Santacruz, Deputy Director General, Department for Communications, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
    • Minna Zaknoun, Communications assistant, Technology Academy Finland

    More information:
    Communications Manager Laura Manas, Technology Academy Finland

Technology Academy Finland is a participant of the
UN Global Compact initiative that supports the United Nations’ universal principles and Sustainable Development Goals. It has more than 17 000 member organizations around the world.

Partners of the Millennium Technology Prize