Innovation Market presented Finnish EIP-AGRI Operational Groups and provided complementary information to authorities

The Finnish Innovation Market was held for the fifth time, once again bringing together a diverse range of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups. This year, it served as the innovation hub for the KoneAgria agricultural fair, attracting journalists, farmers, advisors, and innovators. For the first time, Innovation Market also hosted walking tours for authorities. KoneAgria is a professional agricultural fair held in Tampere, Finland, which attracted nearly 16,000 visitors in October 2025.

12 Finnish EIP-AGRI Operational Groups on display – valuable contacts, visibility, and feedback

This year, the Innovation Market brought together a total of 23 different innovation projects and innovation support services. Twelve of these were EIP-AGRI Operational Groups, which presented their development work. Solutions are being developed extensively for primary production: for strawberry cultivation, there were an automatic pest monitoring system and a bug vacuum, which, like a vacuum cleaner, removes harmful pests from strawberries. Also, soilless garden cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) produced in high tunnels was introduced. In forestry, forest owners struggle with elk that eat tree seedlings. Therefore, there was a lot of interest in a drone that can be used to spread bio-based anti-eating agent to tree seedlings.

A digital application for mapping the health of farmland soils, an AI-assisted automated system for water management in potato crop rotation, and a portable device to predict optimal time for harvesting silage were among the presented technical solutions for agriculture. Both the Remote Digital Autopsy (RDA) service for cattle farms, and far-UVC and surface coating technologies improving indoor hygiene of animal production facilities support the livestock farms in animal health and welfare. In addition, operating models are being created for the cooperation and utilization of communal data of grain farms, the creation of energy-smart farms, and the promotion of domestic pollination services.

The Innovation Market provided the EIP-AGRI Operational Groups a place for reaching their key target groups, enhanced visibility, and new valuable contacts. Numerous constructive discussions were held with stakeholders who expressed strong interest in the developed solutions. New collaboration partners essential for the implementation of pilot activities were identified, and considerable attention was attracted to the stands by visitors eager to learn more. Closer ties were fostered with fellow exhibitors, creating a supportive network for future cooperation. Immediate and notable media interest was generated, underscoring the relevance of the work.

Complementary information for authorities, particularly regarding precision agriculture

This year, walking tours aimed at authorities were organized for the first time, focusing on commercial precision farming solutions suitable for field cultivation. The aim of the walking tours was to increase the authorities’ knowledge and understanding of the differences between various technologies and their applicability to the Finnish CAP measures: 1) Environmental commitment actions to precision farming techniques, and 2) Investments to promote environment actions and sustainable production.

The walking tours provided concrete examples of solutions and their applicability in promoting sustainable arable farming to over 90 representatives of rural authorities in municipalities. The introduction of new technologies also supports the CAP objective of promoting digitalization, in addition to other environmental and farm-specific benefits. The walking tours were designed by farm advisor Olli-Pekka Ruponen, which hosted the walking tours in Finnish. Advisor Anders Wiksten (NSL Advisory Services) hosted the tour for Swedish speaking authorities.

The walking tours sparked discussion about the applicability of solutions to different farms and existing machinery and equipment. According to a Finnish study conducted in 2021, the newest tractor on farms is on average 12 years old, and other key arable farming equipment are generally older than that. Therefore, precision farming solutions must also be integrable with older, less intelligent equipment to be realistic options for farms.

What is the Innovation Market?

The Innovation Market is an annual joint exhibition area at the agricultural trade fair, bringing together EIP-AGRI Operational Groups, innovation projects, and innovation support services. This year, the Innovation Market was organized in collaboration with the Finnish Rural Network, AgriHubi (Finnish AKIS coordination body), and the CAP-funded Vertaistekno project. The concept is excellent for promoting the dissemination of information and innovation, and it has already spread to several other EU member states.

Exhibitors at the Innovation Market 2025:

  1. Should I incorporate my farm? (The Finnish Institute for Enterprise Management)
  2. Security of supply and resilience in the food system (Natural Resources Institute Finland)
  3. Preventing elk damage in seedling stands by utilizing drone technology and artificial intelligence (Finnish Forest Centre)
  4. An organo-mineral fertilizer made from poultry side stream (Häme University of Applied Sciences)
  5. Data field pioneers – Renewing grain trade with communal data (Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences)
  6. VILSKE – Utilization of by-product of grain drying as material and energy (Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences)
  7. Refinement of silage harvesting time (Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences)
  8. BioBoosters by Jamk (Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences)
  9. Climate smart farm in South Ostrobothnia (Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences)
  10. Solar field – Combining sustainable crop production and energy production (Turku University of Applied Sciences)
  11. Bug vacuum and automated monitoring to improve pest control on strawberry production (Natural Resources Institute Finland)
  12. Cranberry Innovation – Soilless production of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) in a high tunnel (University of Helsinki)
  13. Pollination by honeybees as part of security of supply (Finnish Beekeepers’ Association)
  14. Towards self-sufficiency of native bumblebees in Finland (Iku-Tarvas Oy)
  15. Optimizing water usage in food potato crop rotation through AI and automation (Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences)
  16. Increasing the reliability and quantity of rapeseed and turnip rape cultivation (Pyhäjärvi Institute)
  17. Smart, profitable, and responsible pig value chain (Pyhäjärvi Institute)
  18. New plant protection methods for vegetables (Pyhäjärvi Institute)
  19. Carbon Action (Baltic Sea Action Group)
  20. EIP Fieldmap – Mapping the health of farmland soils (Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences)
  21. Remote Digital Autopsy as a local service for cattle farms – A new Finnish RDA operational model for diagnostic services (University of Helsinki)
  22. ERISTEK: Enhancing animal disease risk management with new technologies (Lilja C Oy)

Call for Applications: Innovation Market at KoneAgria 2025 – Secure your spot in the pre-marketing campaign!

The Innovation Market is back! Showcase your innovation in agriculture, forestry or horticulture at the KoneAgria trade fair held between 9 and 11 October 2025 and take advantage of the pre-marketing visibility. Over the years, the Innovation Market has become a well-known joint exhibition stand, bringing together the most innovative players and the latest solutions in the field. This is your opportunity to reach professionals and innovators in the sector all in one place. Apply by 7 August 2025!

Why participate?

  • Gain visibility for your innovation and project development.
  • Network with industry experts and discover new partners.
  • Get fresh perspectives and feedback from end users.
  • Join forces in communication and other arrangements as part of a shared stand

Who can apply?

We are looking for participants such as:

  • EIP (European Innovation Partnership) projects
  • Innovation and technology projects in agriculture, forestry or horticulture
  • Activities that are innovative or support the creation of innovations

Are you an international player? Great! If your solution fits the Finnish operating environment, we encourage you to apply.

How to apply

Complete the application form as soon as possible! Early applicants benefit from our pre-marketing campaign, with the opportunity to have their materials featured in national communication channels.

If your innovation is suitable for practical testing during the summer, you may also be matched with a test user between May and September.

Sign up to learn more about the content and schedule of the Innovation Market!

Link to the application form.

Organisers and schedule

The 2025 Innovation Market will be organised by the Rural Network Unit, AgriHub and Työtehoseura. The call is open until 7 August 2025, and selections are made monthly to ensure early applicants can benefit from the pre-marketing opportunities.

In August–September, the Rural Network will design the stand’s layout and visual identity, and participants can contribute to the content of their own booth. Participation is free of charge, but exhibitors are responsible for their travel, accommodation and promotional materials.

Selected participants will be invited to regular joint meetings in the autumn to connect and prepare together.

Secure your spot now and let your innovation shine at the Innovation Market!

Link to the application form.

Additional information:

Tuija Kallio, Network Coordinator, tuija.kallio(a)maaseutu.fi, tel. +358 50 594 7993

New Sports Drink from Natural Berries – Astonishing Invention Wins Innovation Competition 

IsoDrop is a drink developed by former athletes, made from natural products for effective body hydration. The “Local and Functional” EIP-AGRI Operational Group, which developed the drink, was awarded at the AgriVenture Finland event in Saarijärvi on 28 May. The competition final featured seven agricultural innovations from around the Baltic Sea region.

The “Local and Functional” EIP-AGRI Operational Group from Poland impressed the international jury with its solution, offering the first completely natural option in the sports drink variety. The drink’s recipe is scientifically proven to be isotonic, meaning it matches the body’s own salt and sugar balance and helps effectively restore fluid balance.

In addition to the hydrating isotonic drink, the project has developed a mobile processing unit. The processing unit can be moved to any farm that produces berries and fruits for the drinks. The drink is produced directly on the farms, so the end product can be transported directly from the farms to the consumer.

“The solution is particularly ingenious because the processing unit is mobile, and it can be transported where the raw materials are – this makes the operating model exceptionally efficient. The company has two clear development directions: an isotonic drink for consumers and a mobile processing unit. Their story is inspiring, and the product is ready for the market. They have clearly created a completely new product from the perspective of wellness trends,” assessed the competition jury.

“The pitching competition was a great experience! The next step is to go even faster and straight to the market. So that is the next move to us! We got also good advice during this competition, and we are going to really listen to them,” said the winner Karol Jaworski.

International Competition Highlights Agricultural Innovation Gems

The Finnish Rural Network organized an innovation project pitching competition as part of the AgriVenture Finland event in Saarijärvi on May 27-28, 2025. AgriVenture Finland is the largest agricultural and food technology innovation and investor event in the Nordic countries, bringing together key industry influencers.

The competition final featured seven EIP projects (European Innovation Partnership) from three different countries. A total of 19 applications were received from six different countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia). An international expert panel evaluated the applications and selected eight EIP projects to advance in the pitching competition.

The competition winner was awarded a €2,500 cash prize, donated by the Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to support scientific research and development work.

“EIP-AGRI Operational Groups can lead to new cultivation methods, resource-wise food production, or technological solutions – innovations that promote sustainable agriculture and a healthier environment for future generations,” says Kolli Foundation’s secretary, financial advisor Esko Kolli.

For more information:

Tuija Kallio, Network Coordinator
tuija.kallio(a)maaseutu.fi, tel. +358 50 594 7993

EIP-AGRI pitching competition event page (in English)

Agricultural innovations around the Baltic Sea compete at AgriVenture Finland

The Finnish Rural Network is organizing a pitching competition for agricultural innovations as part of AgriVenture Finland in Saarijärvi on 27-28 May 2025. Eight EIP-AGRI Operational Groups from four different countries will be represented.

In February, the Finnish Rural Network launched a call for applications for the international pitching competition for EIP-AGRI Operational Groups in the Baltic Sea Region. A total of 19 applications were received from six countries (Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden).

The applications were evaluated by an international panel of experts and eight EIP-AGRI Operational Groups were shortlisted for the pitching competition.

The shortlisted EIP-AGRI Operational Groups are:

  • Agrowe App – digital platform enhancing farm management (POLAND)   
  • Development of a Robotic Weed Control System (LATVIA) (cancelled their participation in the finals)   
  • Locally and functionally. Production of innovative functional juice products produced directly on farms, immediately after harvest (POLAND)  
  • Satagro – digital platform utilizing satellite data to optimize fertilization and irrigation (POLAND)  
  • Smart drinking bowl – monitoring water consumption of horses and cattle (FINLAND)  
  • Smart grain dryers – technology utilizing remote control and a machine learning model to optimize the drying process (ESTONIA) 
  • Wisecow – precision health monitoring system and farm management for cattle farms (ESTONIA)   
  • Wood2Biogas – state-of-art technology converting wood waste into biochar and clean syngas (FINLAND) 

The jury assessed the applications based on the following evaluation criteria: the project has produced a definable output with scaling potential, the output is impressive and innovate and has the potential for wider use in the near future. There is a team capable of taking the output forward.

– Based on the applications submitted to this EIP-AGRI pitching competition there is a wide variety of projects at different development levels. It will be interesting to see the results from these projects. A pitching competition is a good opportunity for innovators to gain experience in presenting and driving innovations. A competition may also provide innovators with new connections and new perspectives that can benefit the development of an innovative idea, comments a member of the expert panel Arne Bergh, Business Development Unit, Swedish Board of Agriculture.

In April-May, the selected EIP-AGRI Operational Groups will have the opportunity to prepare for the pitching competition in training sessions organized jointly by the state-owned sustainable development company Motiva and the Finnish Rural Network.

The competition will culminate in the AgriVenture Finland event on 27-28 May 2025 in Saarijärvi, Central Finland, where the selected EIP-AGRI Operational Groups will pitch their solutions to the public and the jury. The winner of the competition will be awarded at the event.

Are you interested in hearing the EIP-AGRI Operational Groups’ pitches live? Register for AgriVenture Finland. AgriVenture Finland is the largest innovation and investor event in the Nordic-Baltic countries for agriculture and food technology, bringing together key players in the field.

What are EIP-AGRI Operational Groups?

An EIP-AGRI Operational Group is a group of people with complementary knowledge (e.g. practical, scientific, technical, organisational expertise, etc.) who co-create practical solutions for agriculture, forestry and rural communities in an innovation project. Throughout EU, the current Common Agricultural Policy (2023-2027) provides opportunities for preparing and implementing Operational Group projects via national CAP Strategic Plans. In the period 2014-2022, Operational Groups were funded through Rural Development Programmes.

More information about the competition:

Network coordinator Tuija Kallio, tuija.kallio(a)maaseutu.fi, +358 50 594 7993

Visit the event website.