FAIR offers the opportunity to participate in student hackathons. A hackathon is an event where people work together quickly and creatively to solve a problem or challenge. The aim of a hackathon is to create a concept, a proof-of-concept (PoC) of working software and documentation in the form of a report/and or video.  The hackathon itself takes a day, but the whole process, including the definition and documentation, takes about two months.

FAIR offers companies the opportunity to commission theses from Aalto university, University of Helsinki and Haaga-Helia university of applied sciences, which can bring new perspectives, solutions and contacts to the company. The subjects of the work can be, for example, various design, development or research projects. The company can also gain valuable information about the students’ skills and interests for recruitment purposes.

FAIR offers a subsidised price to participate in AI accelerator program. The AI Accelerator is a structured 3-month program designed to help SMEs explore, plan, and test AI Proof of Concepts (PoCs). The program guides participants through five phases: understanding successful AI projects, data and technologies, AI solution development, project planning, and PoC implementation. It lowers barriers to adopting AI, offering a proven framework for ideation and testing. Companies benefit by accelerating the development of AI initiatives, gaining actionable learnings from a tested PoC, and acquiring tools to plan future projects. The service empowers organizations to innovate and integrate AI into their operations effectively.

This subsidized service is a 3-month program designed to help SMEs in the built environment sectors expand their solutions into new market segments while connecting with potential customers, partners, and investors. Participants receive guidance on identifying customer needs and planning actionable steps to scale their solutions. The program provides market insights, networking opportunities, and a future roadmap for growth. Companies benefit by accelerating their market entry, building strategic relationships, and accessing resources for scaling operations. This service empowers businesses to effectively transition from growth to expansion with tailored support and strategic planning.

FAIR experts help clean, preprocess, analyze, and visualize data to enhance AI readiness. This service improves data quality and supports decision-making through actionable insights. Organizations gain processed datasets and analytical tools. Deliverables include integrated data sets and visualization reports.

This service is designed to help SMEs evaluate the feasibility of AI-related ideas by creating a non-functional prototype. Prototypes can range from service layouts and logic to 3D prints or business models, tailored to the customer’s needs, to assess technical solutions or business perspectives. The process typically spans three months, including planning, testing, and finalizing deliverables, with active customer involvement throughout. Participants benefit from exploring different realizations and ideas for implementing their concepts, gaining insights into potential AI applications. Deliverables include non-functional prototypes that provide a foundation for further development.

This service enables businesses to explore and validate specific generative AI technologies through tailored Proof of Concept (PoC) projects. It focuses on applications such as Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) for enhanced information retrieval, LLM chaining for creative and complex decision-making, and automated content generation for efficient workflows. The service spans 2-10 weeks and involves scoping, development, and delivery of a functional PoC, complete with technical documentation and code. Companies benefit from exploring AI capabilities without significant upfront investments, improving efficiency through automation, and gaining AI-driven insights for better decision-making. Deliverables include a functional prototype, project documentation, and tools for further development, helping companies assess AI’s potential in their operations.

This service enables businesses to explore and validate AI solutions tailored to their specific needs. It includes services such as model evaluation, fine-tuning of pre-trained models, and exploratory data analysis to assess data properties and relationships. The Proof of Concept (PoC) aims to demonstrate AI’s feasibility in addressing the company’s challenges, often culminating in a demo to showcase the capabilities of the trained model. This service, which spans 2-10 weeks, provides companies with the foundational tools, documentation, and code to advance their AI projects independently. Businesses benefit from testing AI solutions before significant investment, gaining clarity on their AI potential and a clear path forward.

This service evaluates the readiness of AI software for end-user deployment through rigorous testing in a controlled environment. It includes functional testing to identify bugs and non-functional testing for aspects like performance, security, GDPR compliance, and alignment with trustworthy AI guidelines. The process spans three months, covering test planning, execution, and result analysis, tailored to the customer’s specific requirements. Companies gain insights into the strengths and weaknesses of their AI applications, with recommendations on improving quality, performance, and compliance. Deliverables include a detailed test report and an expert session to explain the findings and next steps, enabling businesses to refine their solutions effectively.

This service evaluates the usability and user experience of AI-enhanced digital services. It uses advanced tools like iMotions to analyze interactions through gaze tracking, facial expressions, speech analysis, and click data. The process includes planning, user recruitment, UX testing, and detailed analysis to provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the AI application. Companies benefit from tailored recommendations on improving usability and assessing different user interfaces for specific user groups. Deliverables include a customized usability report and a presentation with a Q&A session to guide further development.

This service offers SMEs the opportunity to explore and experiment with the latest XR (extended reality) technologies, including VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), MR (mixed reality), and digital twins, at the Helsinki XR Center showroom. Participants can engage in hands-on testing of cutting-edge headsets, applications, and content to explore use cases like virtual collaboration, product design, and customer service. The experience provides insights into how XR technologies can drive innovation, improve productivity, and support sustainable transitions in industries like construction, healthcare, and manufacturing. Companies gain a better understanding of how XR can be applied to enhance their business operations and development. Deliverables include direct access to advanced equipment and solutions, providing practical exposure to emerging technologies.

This service provides SMEs with a dedicated environment in the city of Helsinki to test and validate innovative solutions across various domains, including smart mobility, the built environment, circular economy, health, and education. It supports companies in evaluating the feasibility and impact of their ideas in a real-world context before making significant investments. This testing service is particularly beneficial for businesses at the growth or expansion stage, enabling them to refine their solutions and align them with market needs. Participating organizations can leverage the testbed to gain valuable insights into the performance and applicability of their innovations. Testbed Helsinki fosters informed decision-making, helping businesses to scale their solutions effectively and sustainably.

The city of Espoo offers SMEs different piloting and co-creation programs such as Digital Agenda, Innovation Challenge Engine for Cities and a changing program for sustainable development. These programs offer SMEs and city organizations the opportunity to co-create and test AI products, services, and solutions in real-world environments. It supports collaborative projects by facilitating idea generation, partner matching, project planning, execution, and evaluation. The process, which typically takes 6-9 months, enables businesses to develop innovations aligned with city needs and test them with a large, authentic user pool. Participants gain valuable experimentation data, feedback, and insights to refine their solutions. This service fosters sustainable development and supports companies in validating their innovations within a smart city context.

Vantaa testbed service provides SMEs with opportunities to test and refine innovative solutions in real-world educational and city environments in the city of Vantaa. It includes specialized platforms such as the Robotics Learning Center and Varia Wellness Technology Testing, allowing companies to explore technologies like robotics, wellness devices, VR/AR, and AI. Testing involves co-creation with experts, students, and real users to evaluate usability, functionality, and user experience. Businesses gain access to a large user pool, authentic feedback, and insights to align their solutions with market and societal needs. Deliverables include detailed evaluation data and recommendations to support the commercialization and optimization of their innovations.

This service allows companies to test the LUMI supercomputer for free before deciding on its adoption. It provides onboarding support and guidance for using this high-performance computing resource to address complex computational challenges like AI development, large-scale simulations, and big data processing.

The testing phase typically lasts a few weeks, enabling businesses to explore LUMI’s capabilities in a risk-free manner. A test project includes:

– LUMI project and credentials for two users

-CPU, GPU, and storage resources for testing

-Expert support for LUMI project deployment

This service helps organizations make informed decisions about integrating advanced computing power into their operations.

This testing service provides a 400-square-meter testbed for SMEs to validate innovative solutions in the real estate sector. It supports testing applications like access control, indoor environment management, space utilization, user experience, and energy optimization. The service operates continuously and accommodates project durations ranging from one week to 12 months. Businesses benefit from real-user feedback and data collected in an authentic environment, helping them validate the effectiveness and applicability of their solutions. This service enables companies to refine their innovations and align them with market demands in the built environment and smart city sectors.

This service supports SMEs in preparing and securing funding for growth and expansion through a structured 12-month program. It includes pitch deck polishing, pitch training, investor list generation, contacting investors, and deal closure management. The program targets funding rounds of €3-25 million, providing access to venture capital, equity financing, and overseas investors. Companies benefit from streamlined fundraising processes, saving management time while gaining expert guidance in selecting the most suitable investors and offers. Deliverables include training, introductions to investors, and comprehensive support throughout the fundraising journey, enabling quicker and more effective deal closures.