Publication: Health and life science business incubators have special features

The health and life sciences sector is growing rapidly, offering huge opportunities for companies in the sector. However, the sector is challenging for start-ups in many ways, which is why these companies need support to develop.

Health and life science business incubators as enablers of growth

Various entrepreneurship support organizations such as business incubators and business accelerators have significant roles in strengthening health and life-science companies. From these, especially business incubators have a significant role due to the specific characteristics of the sector. Many of these business incubators specialize in certain health and life science areas such as biotechnology, which makes them very different from traditional business incubators.

The development of new business incubators should address the identified good practices and practices of existing business incubators. To meet this need, the publication provides information through a scientific literature review and international business incubator benchmarking on the methods by which the North Ostrobothnia OYSTER health and life-science business incubator could be developed into a nationally and internationally significant incubator in the sector. As part of a broader project, the publication provides information to decision-makers, companies, and other regional development actors who want to develop or participate in health and life-science business incubator activities.

The publication has been produced as part of the OYSTER Health and Life Science Incubator project. The project is managed by the City of Oulu and co-implemented by the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences. The project is co-financed by the European Union's JTF funding.

Publication:

Virkkala, P., Ailinpieti, H., & Saarela, M. (2025). Health and life science business incubators – literature review and benchmarking. University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute´s publications 2/2025.

Photo: Jussi Haukkamaa