We ensure a soft landing in the Kuopio region
Are you interested in locating or investing in the Kuopio region? As an active, developing region, Kuopio provides an excellent business environment for both big companies and startups. The region is a combination of a versatile business sector, a wide range of education and research know-how and easy living close to nature.
Our experts and networks are at your service if you are considering locating your business in the Kuopio region. We can help you with any questions you have about plots and premises, recruiting talent and finding the right networks. Browse the menu below.
If you have any questions about locating your business in the region, you can contact our Business Specialist Mika Raatikainen, mika.raatikainen@kuopio.fi, +358 44 718 2048.
See the bottom of the page for information about business opportunities in Iisalmi, Siilinjärvi, Leppävirta, Varkaus and Joroinen, and the contact persons in these municipalities for location questions.
The pages below contain more information about the business environment and the urban development projects in the Kuopio region as well as facts and reasons to choose Kuopio as your business location.
- Kuopio is the centre of Eastern Finland and the 8th largest city in Finland by population. Located close by are several smaller cities and municipalities, such as Iisalmi, Siilinjärvi, Leppävirta, Varkaus and Joroinen, which together form one travel-to-work area.
- Kuopio Airport is located just 14 kilometres from the city centre (in Rissala, Siilinjärvi).
- Kuopio Railway Station is located in the centre, providing both north- and south-bound and east- and west-bound train service.
- Highway 5 (from Helsinki to Lapland) runs through Kuopio.
- 390 km to Helsinki, 4 h by train and 50 min by plane
- 620 km to Stockholm
- 500 km to Lapland
The Kuopio region has strong expertise in a variety of industries. Click on the links below to learn more about our priority industries.
Kuopio has world-class business and innovation ecosystems. Various cooperation projects facilitate business growth, build networks and promote the creation of new businesses.
- Browse the ecosystems and clusters of the Kuopio region
- Article series “Get to Know the Clusters of the Kuopio Region” (2022)
- Part one: Kuopio Health Ecosystem is at the core of the Kuopio Region’s health sector
- Part two: SuperEcosystem, a Meta-Cluster cross-pollinating RDI & Businesses
- Part three: Kuopio Water Cluster, a multi-disciplinary cluster focused on providing solutions in water sector
- Part four: Agri-Food Cluster North Savo – with the vision to make the region among the world’s leading sustainable rural economy regions
- Part five: Energy cluster North Savo – providing services for renewable energy
- Part six: Bio and Circular Cluster, Sustainable Solutions Beyond Fossil Era
- Use our network search to find suitable partners
Business Kuopio serves startups throughout the life cycle of a company from its conception to developing the business later on. Browse the services for starting businesses and startups on our site.
Growth Community: The Kuopio Region Chamber of Commerce has a project concerning growth and innovation partnership in North Savo. The aim is to facilitate a vital culture of growth entrepreneurship within the province. This will help promote the establishment of new startups and the creation of research-based business ideas in the region. Supporting the reform of the business sector and the growth in the number of export companies is also crucial.
See also North Savo Startup Ecosystem (2021–2022).
Contact us:
- Anu Häiväläinen, Contact Manager, anu.haivalainen@kuopio.fi, +358 44 718 2036
- Marja-Leena Laitinen, Business Advisor, marja-leena.laitinen@kuopio.fi, +358 44 718 2044
Are you or is your company looking for new premises? Or does your company need larger premises? Business Kuopio can help your company find suitable premises. Whether your line of business is industry, trade or something else, we aim to offer your company a versatile range of location options. Read more about our service
Contact us:
- Mika Raatikainen, Business Specialist, mika.raatikainen@kuopio.fi, +358 44 718 2048
Is your company looking to hire talented individuals? Do you need help with recruitment? Our website contains a list of services and tools for finding talent.
- Employment services for employers
- Northern Savo TE Services and TE-live – promotion through live broadcasts
- Pondi – the Savilahti talent pond
- Jobs in Finland – international recruitment service for employers
- Recruitment to Finland
Iisalmi
Iisalmi is located about an hour’s drive north of Kuopio. The region is home to several successful companies operating in the global market, such as Ponsse, Olvi, Genelec and Normet. Strong collaboration between businesses and schools has produced new innovations in the region. The Business Services of the City of Iisalmi support businesses, and the city and businesses also operate under a common brand, “By Iisalmi”, a sign of their close partnership. Find out more about Iisalmi and locating your business there.
Contact us: Business Development Director Terho Savolainen, +358 40 630 5328, terho.savolainen@iisalmi.fi
Siilinjärvi
Siilinjärvi is located about a 15-minute drive north of Kuopio. Kuopio Airport is located in Siilinjärvi and serves the entire surrounding region. There are 1 300 companies in Siilinjärvi, many of which operate internationally. The Siilinjärvi Business Services serve new businesses as they get settled in the region and existing businesses in their development. Read more about the Business Services of Siilinjärvi.
Contact us: Business Development Manager Pekka Turunen, +358 44 740 1130, pekka.turunen@siilinjarvi.fi
Leppävirta
Leppävirta is situated along Highway 5 between Kuopio and Varkaus. Leppävirta has a versatile business base, and the regional business services build a successful business environment and help new businesses locate in the region. Find out more about the Business Services of Leppävirta.
Contact us: Business Development Officer Antti Tulila, +358 44 750 7023, antti.tulila@leppavirta.fi
Varkaus and Joroinen
Varkaus is located about an hour’s drive south of Kuopio. Varkaus is known for its strong expertise in mechanical engineering and energy technology and its large international corporations, such as Stora Enso, Sumimoto and ANDRITZ. There are 900 businesses in total in Varkaus. Navitas Business Services supports the development of businesses based in Varkaus and Joroinen and helps new businesses get set up in the region. Read more about Navitas Business Services and the City of Varkaus Employment and Business Services.
Contact us: CEO of Navitas Jouko Laitinen, +358 40 720 2401, jouko.laitinen@navitas.fi or Joonas Tyrväinen, +358 40 751 4777, joonas.tyrvainen@navitas.fi
